I am attempting to complete probably the two most difficult winter ultra races in the world one after the other, with a combined distance of over 1500 miles, in temperatures as low as -50C, while carrying most of the gear I will need in a sled behind me. The races are:     

 

Race 1: Yukon Artic Ultra (YAU), Canada  -  430 miles  6-Feb-2011

Race 2: Iditarod Trail Invitational (ITI), Alaska  -  1100 miles  24-Feb-2011

 

I hope to utilise my experience from finishing 4th in both the foot race section of the YAU 430 in 2009, and the ITI 350 miler in 2010 to complete these two races. This double has not been attempted before, probably for good reason.   

With these race attempts I hope to help raise money needed to buy a specially adapted school mini-bus for Starthmore School in Richmond, London. Strathmore School is for special needs children, with the aim being to provide every pupil with the skills to live as independently as possible in their community. This is a fantastic charity and a very worthy cause.  

 

Links:

9News USA Clip from YUA 430 mile 2009 (Starts with 5 second advert):

http://www.9news.com/video/default.aspx?bcrefid=1071362231#/Dianes%20arctic%20diary/49172250001

YAU Race Website:

http://www.arcticultra.de/en.php?Welcome

ITI Race Website:

http://www.alaskaultrasport.com/alaska_ultra_home_page.html

Strathmore School:

http://www.strathmore.richmond.sch.uk/index.html