A two-man team from leading non-animal medical research charity, the Dr Hadwen Trust (DHT), based in Portmill Lane in Hitchin are looking to complete a marathon on Wednesday, 4th September without stepping outside.
Group Head of Science, Dr Brett Cochrane, and IT and Media Officer, Santino Mareri, will take on a ‘Gym Marathon’ at Xchange Fitness on Queen Street to help raise funds for the charity.
They will each be covering the equivalent of a full marathon distance on four pieces of gym equipment: cross trainer, rowing machine, bike and treadmill. The plan is to cover approximately 6.9 miles on each piece of equipment until the full 26.2 miles marathon distance is achieved.
Brett said: “I hope that via this feat we will highlight the critical role the DHT plays in funding the best possible research to advance medical discovery whilst developing alternative, non-animal techniques. On completing the challenge, I very much expect to be a source of amusement, if not inspiration, for the dedicated team here at the DHT and I’m sure I will personally be very thankful for all of the excellent heart and lung research the DHT has supported in the past!”
Santino said: "The challenge itself is way out of my comfort zone. I had thought of pulling out and leaving it up to Brett a number of times. Bearing in mind though what laboratory animals are made to go through against their will, I have been spurred on and this thought will keep me going when the going gets tough.”
Donations in support of Brett and Santino’s challenge can be made via Just Giving: www.justgiving.com/Brett-Cochrane
Live updates of Brett and Santino’s progress will be posted on Twitter and the DHT’s Facebook page www.facebook.com/dht.hitchin throughout the day on the 4th September.
