Seasoned runner, Patrick Cruywagen, is tackling a series of endurance events across April, culminating in this year’s London Marathon. Read about his inspiring fundraising journey.
Patrick’s love of adventure began on the water
Patrick grew up in South Africa, but it wasn’t until he moved to the UK that he developed an affinity for water.
“I’ve lived in England for ten years now and I’ve always been close to a river, so during lockdown I decided to buy a paddleboard. I used to live in Bedford, near the River Great Ouse, and me and a friend came up with the idea of taking our boards onto the river and paddling all the way to the coast.”
The gruelling three-day trip ignited something in Patrick, and he’s never looked back. Now, whenever he can, he picks up his trusty paddleboard and heads down to the water.
“I just started going on adventures and exploring my local waterways. I’m always looking to challenge myself, but the thing I love most about canals and rivers is what they do to you as a human being. We all live fast-paced lives with a lot of pressure at work and at home, and I find water has a hugely calming effect on me.”
Patrick is also a keen runner, with more than 50 marathons under his belt, so when he spotted the opportunity to run the TCS London Marathon for our charity, he jumped at the chance.
“I’m really concerned about the state of our canals and rivers, and I think much more needs to be done. I would never do the London Marathon for a charity unless I really believed in it and the Canal & River Trust is something that’s very close to my heart.”
Starting in January, Patrick began an intensive training programme, pounding his local towpaths and riverbanks, clocking up an impressive 40 miles a week.
Patrick is always up for a challenge
But the London Marathon is just one of the amazing fundraising feats Patrick has planned. In the run-up to London, he’ll be tackling another marathon in Barcelona, before getting back on his board and paddling from his home in Northampton all the way to London – a staggering 80-mile trip along the Grand Union Canal.
“With some of the things I’ve got planned, I’m not just looking to hit my fundraising target, I’m hoping to educate people and raise awareness about the state of our waterways and how lucky we are to have them. The great thing about the Trust is that you don’t always need to give money, you can just give your time; you can go out there and you can make a difference.”
And it doesn’t stop there. Just days before he’s due to take part in the London Marathon, Patrick is attempting yet another endurance challenge, this time in pursuit of a new world record.
“It might sound a little crazy, but I’m planning to live on a paddleboard. The previous record is eight days and four minutes, and I’m hoping to break that while raising a lot of awareness and a lot of money.”
Due to time constraints, if Patrick were to break the record, he’d be running London the very next day. So, is he worried?
“It can be quite tough; spending all that time on a board can leave your legs a bit wobbly, but I’ll stretch and do yoga to make sure I can still run when I get off. I’m not too fussed about posting a great time in London, it’s more about raising funds for a good cause and having a fun day out in the capital.”
We wish Patrick all the best with his fundraising exploits and thank him for his incredible support for our charity.
