The inspiration for my annual self-flagellation in endurance sport stems from a cruel twist of fate which saw my youngest daughter suffer with Leukaemia.  A beautiful, happy and healthy Isla is now in her fourth year or remission!  After 5 years in remission Isla will be considered cured.  I’ve pledged to mark each year with an endurance challenge.  These challenges are designed to raise awareness for the incredible charities which support childhood cancer; they also offer the means to reflect on the suffering and uncertainty which Isla endured.  The only rule is that the challenge needs to get tougher each year! 

Year 1 was a gruelling 3-day triple marathon, raising money for Starlight Foundation; year 2 was the UK’s largest 100K (Race to the Stones) in support of Clic Sargent. Year 3 was an epic 100 mile footrace raising awareness for Delete Blood Cancer.  

Year 4 takes me back to my triathlon roots… only super-sized!  Ultraman Florida is a 3 day brutal endeavour, described by the organizers as “guaranteed to test an athlete’s physical and mental limits” and “ a journey that will touch your soul and create memories that will last a lifetime”. The race covers a total distance of 321.6 miles (517.5km), around central Florida; it requires that each participant complete a 6.2 mile (10km) open water swim, a 263 mile (423km) bike ride, and a 52.4 mile (84km) ultra-marathon run. Day 1 consists of a 6.2 mile swim and 92 mile bike, Day 2 is a 171 mile bike, and Day 3 is a 52.4 mile run.

As is tradition, my plan is to throw caution to the wind and set myself a race target right on the very limits of what I feel was possible, and then turn myself inside out trying to execute it.  So here’s shooting for the podium!!!

This race will only be possible thanks to my incredible supportive family and my heroic race crew, Tiff and Rob. We hope to use this challenge to raise some money for the incredible ‘Give Kids the World’, based in Orlando, Florida (https://www.gktw.org/).  This magical place provides dream holidays for children from around the world who are suffering with life threatening and terminal illnesses.  Isla spent an incredible week here in 2017, while Danica, a special little lady in Tiff's life, was there in 2018.  Both created memories that will last a lifetime.  Any support will mean the world to us all… I promise to give everything to earn it!

Much love and best wishes,

The Holdcroft Family, Rob and Tiffany xxxx

P.S. The native gators should ensure a quick swim…