Getting a little exercise every now and then is certainly no bad thing. It’s liberating to get out on the open road and pound the feet with a little light jogging. However, some people have a very strange idea of exercise!
In the UK, one man decided to do something a little different when it comes to keeping fit. Tony Morrison is a runner who wanted to make a difference. Already no stranger to marathon running, Tony adopted an unusual strategy when it came to his current routine. For 30 consecutive days over August and September 2012, Tony ran a half marathon (13 miles) each morning, culminating in his participation in the Great North Run, held in Newcastle, England.
But this isn’t the most interesting thing. No, Tony decided too crazy was a little too boring for his tastes and decided to make a date with insanity instead. He did each and every run with a fridge strapped to his back. An actual fridge! Now, that takes guts and a mountain of stamina.
Tony stated that –
“…my previous challenges have taught me that running with a fridge is going to cause injuries and from day one of this challenge the difference between completing or not completing the challenge will be how I manage the injuries I sustain. I have also learned that no amount of training can prepare you for friction injuries caused by the constant rubbing of a 6 stone metal box on your back and how that tears off your skin.”
Of course, you don’t just run 30 half-marathons with a kitchen appliance on your back for the sheer thrill of it. Tony did this for charity. Specifically, he wanted to highlight Cancer research by pledging his donations on behalf of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, which funds the Cancer Research at Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS (National Health Service).
And Tony certainly didn’t do himself any favours during his runs because of two reasons:
– After each weekday run, he would cool off in an ice bath and THEN head off to work at midday.
– People could make a donation by sliding money into the fridge whilst Tony was running. This meant that each day, the further along he ran, the heavier the fridge on his back was getting!
Although exhausting, Tony did manage to raise over £10,000 for his charity. We’re suspecting he also got to keep the fridge too. This is truly an inspiring tale of what anyone can do if they train their body with the right exercise and train the mind with the right attitude.
Pictured above: Tony, clearly giving a damn about his running!
Halit Bozdogan is a writer for Appliances Online, who sponsored Tony on his amazing mission to raise money and take his love of running to the next level!
{Image courtesy of Appliances Online & JustGiving.com}
Looking to run your own charity marathon?! Here are some helpful running articles:
- Marathon for Charity
- Top Marathon Training Tips – Part One and Part Two
- Run For Your Favorite Charity
- Basic Tips for Running a Marathon
- Running For Charity FAQs
