Richard Dunwoody will finally get some sleep tonight, after finishing his 1,000 mile walk this afternoon at Newmarket racecourse.
Former champion jockey and one-time partner to the legendary Desert Orchid, Richard has had no more than 30 minutes at a time since starting his 1,000 Mile Challenge on 29 May.
Six weeks ago, Richard started walking 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours, retracing the footsteps of Captain Barclay who in 1809 walked 1,000 miles in Newmarket for a bet of 1,000 guineas.
He has received a tremendous amount of support from the racing industry, during the course of his walk to raise money for a number of charities, including Alzheimer’s Society, Racing Welfare, SPARKS and Spinal Research.
Last night, H&H news editor Abi Butcher joined Richard to walk mile 983 — which he did in an incredible 12 minutes, despite managing very little sleep the night before.
“I’m bearing up pretty well physically, it proves how little sleep you actually need,” he said, after explaining he had managed no more than “about 15 and 30 minutes’ sleep” at any one time.
But he added: “At night I have been virtually walking with my eyes shut.”
At 2pm, Richard will start his final mile, and end his challenge at 2.20pm by crossing the finishing line on Newmarket Racecourse, accompanied by legendary jockey Lester Piggott.
Three-time champion jockey Richard Dunwoody is no stranger to challenges. In January this year, he successfully summitted Mount Aconcagua in Argentina, and in January 2008 walked to the South Pole.
In three weeks’ time he heads to Mongolia to lead a horse trek.
Visit www.dunwoody1000mile.com
