Warriors fan taking on 7for7IM

Wigan Warriors fan Martyn Clarke is taking on seven half ironman triathlons in seven days to support and raise money for his sporting hero Rob Burrow.

The mammoth challenge, which started on Saturday 11th December, sees Martyn tackle both land and water as he aims to complete seven half-ironman triathlons and raise as much money as possible in honour of Rugby League legend Rob Burrow MBE for MND Association.

In December 2019, Burrow was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease. Inspired by Kevin Sinfield’s seven marathons in seven days in 20202, Martyn completed 12 miles for 12 days around Wigan, Leigh and St Helens and raised £6,500 for MND and the Rob Burrow Foundation. Now he’s decided to go even further and attempting to complete seven ironmans in seven days.

Each day, Martyn, 47, from Marus Bridge, is starting at Total Fitness in Wigan, completing a 1.2 mile swim before taking on a 56-mile bike ride through the borough and finishing off back at Total Fitness for a 13.1 mile run.

After hearing about Martyn’s epic fundraiser, 70 people from around the world (six different countries) will be joining in across the seven days to show their support, including Team GB Olympic open water swimmer Hector Pardoe.

There have also been a host of celebrities wishing him well in the event too, including Ian Glen, Deborah Meden, Sally Nugent, Jenny Meadows as well as Warriors prop forward Brad Singleton. Martyn has been given a great deal of support from a host of rugby clubs as well, including Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos and Sale Sharks.

Smashing his initial target of £7,777 in relation to Burrow’s former playing number – No.7 – Martyn has now raised over £10,000 and is aiming to get to 17,777.

He said: “I have been overwhelmed by the response from around the world. I think they have all been touched by Rob’s story. I met him and his family a few weeks ago and his dad has sent some really special messages.

“It started out as a small idea and has just grown and grown. It is now a global ironman triathlon! There are around five guys who are going to run with me, around 10 people will be cycling with me and upwards of 20 people will be running with me and people from around the world have contacted me to say they will be joining me.”

You can keep up with Martyn’s journey using the hashtag #7for7IM and following him on Twitter HERE. He will complete his challenge on Friday 17th December.

To donate to Martyn’s fundraising page, click HERE. Funds will be split 50 per cent between the South Lancashire and West Yorkshire branches of the MND Association.

For more information about MND and the MND Association, please visit www.mndassociation.org

Photo credit: Wigan Today.