On March 4th 2022, Louis Alexander accomplished a new self record by completing 17 marathons in 17 days to commemorate his late grandfather.
Louis explained to HOP that despite his grandad, Captain Rick Taylor, serving all around the world in the British Army for 38 years “it was the battle against Dementia which sadly took his life after 17 years of suffering”.
To honour his late grandfather, Louis began his toughest challenge of 2022 which is to raise £17,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK in commemoration and legacy of his grandfather.
The endurance athlete is no stranger to demanding terrains and long journeys, with Louis previously having taken on a feat climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, completing 20 challenges in 2020, and running a 100km ultra-marathon last year.
Prior to the marathon, Louis told HOP “training was a fine balance between getting as many miles in as possible and staying rested and injury free”. Along with training, nutrition was a key element for Louis as he stated “my calories went from around 2,500-3,000 calories a day to 5,000 during the challenge, and my water intake went up from 4 litres to 6-7 litres a day during the challenge”
Whilst completing the challenge, mental determination was vital for Louis, he told HOP that “The body started to break down from marathon 10. When I woke up with a chest infection, fever and worst of all shin splints in my left leg. I had no choice but to run through the pain, and although the body was suffering, the mind never faulted. When your ‘why’ is as important as mine was, representing my family and raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK, then you will go through anything to get there”.
During the 17 marathons, Louis welcomed support from his family, friends and sponsors such as HOP during his 17 consecutive days which began in Sheffield on Wednesday, February 16th and came to an end on Friday, March 4th, in London.
With big plans in the future for Louis Alexander who told HOP that ‘2022 is looking incredibly exciting: with marathons across the Sahara, climbing mountains, cross-continental swims and more. I'm incredibly grateful to be in the position I am today thanks to the support around me, such as the legends at HOP, who believe in what I'm doing. ‘
To support Louis in his fundraising efforts and donate to his incredible challenges please visit: www.justgiving.com/17marathons17days and to follow his endeavours on his Instagram account: louisalexanderultra.
To find out more about our inspirational ambassadors and their causes, follow the HOP blog at www.hopbar.co.uk and our instagram on hopbar.uk.