Interview: Conan Marshall

Louis Alexander has accomplished a challenge that many would consider unthinkable. For 17 consecutive days, Louis had run 17 marathons - completing his journey earlier in March.

Louis was running for a noble cause - to raise crucial funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK and honour his Grandfather's 17 year battle with dementia.

Cheered on by staff and nurses, Louis set off on his 17-day challenge from his Grandfather’s care home in Sheffield. This journey took him around Britain, whilst being joined by friends and supporters.

Louis ran through several unique locations such as Roger Bannister track at the University of Oxford, and the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield - home to many notable GB athletes. After this 26 miler, Louis was told by the manager, Simon, that he set the record for the first person to run a marathon on their indoor 200m track. In the end, Louis finished his 17 days in Battersea Park in London.

Undertaking this monumental task was no easy feat. Louis explains some of the key challenges he faced during the 17 days: "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 any what to get there.

The first several marathons forced Louis to confront challenging weather. “I ran through Storm Eunice, the worst storm the UK has seen in over 30 years, which definitely added a challenge I had not thought about during my training."

At only 58 years old, Louis’ Grandfather, Captain Rick Taylor, was diagnosed with Dementia. An explorer and adventurer himself, he served all around the world during his 38 years in the British Army, fighting against some of the most dangerous forces in the world. However, it was the battle against Dementia that sadly ended his life in 2019 after 17 years of suffering.

Louis’ fundraising for Alzheimer’s Research UK began in 2018, his endeavours so far include climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, completing 20 challenges in 2020, and a 100km ultra-marathon. Speaking about his Grandad, Louis said: “I had the privilege of speaking at his funeral and made the promise to family and friends to never give up on the fight for a cure, and to support Alzheimer’s Research UK with one event every year until the day we beat Dementia together. I will not break that promise.”

By no means was this Louis' first endurance challenge he'd completed. From ultra running to mountaineering, Louis knew the one thing necessary to complete a challenge of this nature. "although the details of each sport may differ, there is one thing which applies to all endurance challenges - the power of our minds. From marathon 10 of my 17 marathons, the project completely shifted to a challenge of the mind, as I had no choice but to run through shin splints.”

Speaking on the training regime that he undertook in preparation Louis understood the fine balance between getting as many miles in as possible and staying rested and injury-free. “I found the sweet spot during my training was around 75-100km week and was really pleased to get to the start line of the first marathon with no injuries or issues”.

Louis had the support of several highly respected adventures and explorers during this challenge as patrons, including Sir Chris Bonington, Robert Swan OBE, Ash Dykes and Sean Conway. Rob Swan OBE, the first man to walk to both poles, said “I’m proud to see the young generation of adventurers such as Louis Alexander continue to fly the flag for British adventure”.

“One of the techniques I used to break through that pain barrier was leaning on my experiences of previous challenges, and regardless of whether that was cycling, swimming or running, the resilience of the mind is the same. I was once told by the incredible polar explorer Ben Saunders that resilience is like a muscle, the more you train it the stronger it becomes, and I truly believe that.”

To donate please visit: www.justgiving.com/17marathons17days and follow Louis on Instagram: @louisalexanderultra for updates on his future adventures.

A £20 donation to Alzheimer’s Research UK funds one hour of vital research.