"I still feel a bit of an imposter": Man with Parkinson's gears up for fifth ultramarathon this year
Running an ultramarathon is no mean feat - but completing five in the space of a year for charity is nothing short of incredible.
Antony Rose, from Waterlooville, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2019 at the age of 49 - and he’s spent the last six years completing ambitious running challenges for charity.
On December 12, Antony will be setting off on his fifth ultramarathon this year to raise money for the charities Cure Parkinson’s and Parkinson’s UK.
He said: “I'm looking forward to finishing. I'm nervous about my body, with all its creaking and groaning, making the start line – let alone the finish.
“The weather looks as though it's going to make it much more of a challenge with high winds and lots of rain.
“I still feel a bit of an imposter, even though I've completed the other races, I can't quite believe that it's me.”
Since May, Antony has completed the Thames Path 100, South Downs Way 100, North Down Way 100, and Autumn 100 – with the Winter Downs 100 set to mark his fifth ultramarathon of the year.
Starting his 100 mile marathon in Amberley on Friday, Antony is anticipating that this run might be the most challenging one yet with short daylight hours, wet weather forecast and a finish just after the infamous Box Hill in Surrey.
Helen Matthews, CEO of Cure Parkinson’s, said: “Fundraising support is absolutely critical for the charity to enable us to achieve our goal. We aim to cure Parkinson’s and the only way we will do this is through the help of all our incredible supporters, like Antony – it’s as simple as that.”
Antony said he regularly runs with his dog and friends to get him ready for his ultramarathons, as well incorporating HIT training into his schedule.
Kirsty Berrigan and Rebecca Landolt, heads of community fundraising at Parkinson's UK, said: “We are so grateful to Antony for supporting us and for his incredible dedication by taking on not just one, but five ultramarathons this year. He is such an inspiration.
“From running our support services and campaigning for better health and care, to funding research into groundbreaking new treatments and a cure, we couldn't do any of it without amazing fundraisers like Antony."