Reseller boss takes on epic ultra running challenge

Michael Bain from Convergent Technology to take on ultra-running challenge set up by ex-Navy SEAL David Goggins

A London-based reseller boss is taking on a two-day ultra running challenge to raise money for Alzheimer's Society.

Director at London-based VAR Convergent Technology, Michael Bain, will take part in the 4x4x48 ultra-running challenge, set up by former Navy SEAL David Goggins, this Saturday.

The challenge will see Bain complete a four-mile run every four hours for 48 hours, running a total of 48 miles, or 77.5 kilometres, in just two days.

He will be completing the challenge safely and independently in line with lockdown restrictions and tracking his effort on the Strava running app.

Bain's will begin his first four-mile leg of the epic feat at 4am this Saturday 6 March and will run the final four miles of the challenge at midnight on Monday.

The reseller director has so far raised more than £1,200 for Dementia charity Alzheimer's Society. He is accepting donations here.

What will be the biggest hurdle for Bain as he undertakes the 4x4x48 challenge?

"The lack of sleep," he told CRN. "Really it's more a mental challenge than a physical one.

"The gap between each run will be tough. Once you come back from a run then you've only a few hours at most until the next one. So just as you start to relax, your legs start getting heavy and you've then got to put your running trainers back on and get back out there."

Bain said he has received a huge amount of support from his colleagues at Convergent Technology in the lead up to the challenge.

"I've got all the guys here that have sponsored me and are rooting me on and bought me lots of Lucozades and things like that. I've had a lot of support, and people are going to be tracking my movements to make sure I complete it, so there has been a bit of banter in the office around that," he said.

The idea of raising funds for Alzheimer's Society came after Bain lost a family relative to Dementia before Christmas.

"Like most, during lockdown the only thing you've been able to do really is run or get your exercise in every day, so for the last 12 months I've been running. I had some bad news just before Christmas so I put two and two together really," he said.

"The charity is close to me and my family and we're doing a lot of work with them already. It's just something we can do during this lockdown period."

Bain is expecting to complete the final leg of the 48-hour challenge at around 1am on Monday.

"I will most definitely be working from home on Monday," he said.