A former soldier is reprising an historic 264.5km run, from Rwanda’s southern border with Burundi to its northern border with Uganda, to raise funds for Veterans Aid.
It is scheduled to end on Remembrance Day, at the most famous destination in Rwanda and home of its famous mountain gorillas, the legendary Parc des Volcans. “I’m supporting VA because they deal directly with those in need, providing their own services and getting to the heart of veterans’ problems,” said former Hertfordshire lecturer Jon Cowell.
The 51-year-old, who served with 5 Airborne Brigade from 1984 – 1996, is no lightweight when it comes to challenges. He’s cycled ‘Costa to Costa’ with fellow triathletes (130 miles in a day from Whitehaven to Sunderland), smashed the indoor Ironman Triathlon record by more than an hour and broken a second world record for distance covered on a treadmill in 12 hours. In doing these he’s raised thousands for charities.
CEO of Veterans Aid Dr Hugh Milroy said, “We were delighted when Jon got in touch and explained why he wanted to undertake this extremely ambitious venture for Veterans Aid. It is far from ‘run of the mill’ but unsurprisingly he has planned it like a military operation and we will be following his progress throughout.”
The run is something of a swansong for Jon who feels that age is against him in terms of endurance events but he has a particular reason for choosing this route and location.
“In 1994 I led a small team as part of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Rwanda. As this operational tour came to a close, I organised a team of Paras to run across the country for charity in a relay from the northern border with Uganda, Mount Muhabura to Ngozi the southern border with Burundi.”
“Between 9-11 November this year, I intend to return to Rwanda and reverse this journey, running the 264.5 km solo over 2.5 days.”
Jon’s exercise is self-funded and supported by a team of dedicated helpers – including his wife Sarah. Their ‘reward’, if all goes according to plan, will be a day at the Parc de Volcans where they hope to see some of its legendary gorillas. He said, “ As a former serviceman I am very aware of how fortunate I am to have had the support of my family and friends as I adjusted to civilian life. I know that not everyone has been as fortunate and therefore I’ve tried to assist by fund-raising, as and when I can. Some of these events have been organised on the spur of the moment, but this time I’ve had the opportunity to consider how best my fund raising can be used to help former service personnel.”
In addition to Sarah, who will look after pacing and nutrition, Jon’s support team consists of Geoff Parker-Naples, responsible logistics and IT, Anne-Marie Hunter, responsible for communications, Steve Rice responsible for navigation and Beth Courtman, photography.
TIMINGS
Jon Cowell is recreating the 264.5km Rwanda Dash for Cash from 1994, by running a reverse route back across Rwanda from the southern border with Burundi on the Kanyaru river to the Ugandan border at the summit of Mount Muhabura (13,514 feet), in 38 hours, 39 minutes and 52 seconds (twice as long as it took the relay team for the initial Dash). His schedule is:
DAY ONE
Starts at 07:00 GMT on Monday 9th November 2015 on the RN 19 road at the Rwanda – Burundi border. The first day will finish at approximately 17:00 after running 115km north to Musambira.
DAY TWO
Starts at 06:00 GMT on Tuesday 10th November from the previous day’s finish point and, running via the capital, Kigali, will end a further 115km north at Ruhengeri.
DAY THREE
Remembrance Day, starts at 06:00 GMT at Ruhengeri and heads into the Parc des Volcans where Jon will join the rest of the team for a combined climb up Mount Muhabura (13,514 feet).
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