Sharing the challenge and amplifying the message, Darren Kempson ran the HARP 24 Endurance & Relay Race as Darren’s Duet with his friend Ben on 27 June this year. Darren’s wife has Marfan syndrome, as does her wider family, and recently underwent an operation. Believing the condition to be too little known, Darren ran the relay for awareness and raised nearly £1,500. Here’s Darren’s story:

by Darren Kempson - Darren Dash the Duet!

On 27th June I participated in a relay race over 24hours - HARP24 Relay and Endurance Race in Essex. My target was 15 loops of an 8k circuit totalling 120km (74.5 miles). It is a tag team effort through the night and I was hoping with everyone’s support I would be motivated to achieve my target.

The upshot was: it is fair to say I massively underestimated the task at hand, thinking 8k loops on and off would be quite easy but after five rounds it became clear this wasn't going to be as easy as I thought.

Started a bit quick and we planned to do all 8k loops in 50 minutes but my first one was completed in 38, which bought us some time for the later slower laps.  After the England game I set off to complete loops 7 and 8 (in the dark, head torch secured!).  My team mate and I both completed the course having done 11 loops each, covering 88km (55 miles). 

Really surprised at the end while enjoying a beer to hear our team name announced as the winning Male Duo Team (Darren Dash the Duet ) of which there were two! But we did finish 12th overall out of a total of 196 teams/duos and individuals.

The picture above is of me and Ben getting the award! The one below is of me with my sister Yvette and my son Owen.  The photo at the bottom is of my nephew and my son cheering me on!

Darren raised nearly £1,500 for the Marfan Trust!


Donate Now