We are very proud to announce our sponsorship of Colin and Sandy Suckling Ultra-Endurance athletes in pursuit of a huge goal. In 2012 to be the first husband and wife team aged over 50 to complete all four 250km Desert Races in the Racing the Planet Series and raise $50. 000 for charity along the way. Their story so far...
Well it all started at a juggernaut bootcamp on Australia Day back in 2008, Gary and his bootcamp program changed their lives. From the very start Gary's structured training enabled Sandy and Colin to haveconfidence in themelves. They made the commitment to train at 6am and in return Gary supported then through their journey. It only took one one call and a bit of courage to start something special.
In their own words, Sandy and Col are "just a couple of ordinary Aussies." Hailing from the Melbourne suburb of Mulgrave, they’ve been married for twelve years, have a blended family of five children, and are grandparents of nine. Both full time employees with the Department of Education as Business Managers.
This is where the ordinary chapter of their story ends.
Colin and Sandy, 57 and 52, are currently in the midst of what has been described as the toughest endurance race in the world - the 4 Deserts Race series.
The 4 Deserts series is made up of four ultra marathons in some of the most unfriendly and inhospitable environments on earth – the Sahara Desert in Northern Africa (Hottest), the Gobi March in China (Windiest), the Atacama Desert in Chile (Driest) & the Last Desert - Antarctica. (Coldest)
Each ultra marathon is 250km long and competitors must make their way to the finish line over the course of seven days, with the race divided up into stages of varying lengths that must be completed within a set time frame.
The race is entirely self-supported, with water and a spot in a shared tent the only things supplied by event organisers. Everything else (about 9kgs) is on their back.
Completing just one of these races is a serious achievement. But, true to form, Colin and Sandy thought they might as well tackle the whole lot.
Having completed the Sahara Desert in October 2010 , the Gobi March in June 2012, and the Atacama Desert in March 2012 these extraordinary Aussies are officially three quarters there. 750km down, 250km to go.
They are now gearing up for the Antarctic Desert in November 2012.
By far the most challenging race of the series, competitors must receive an invitation to take part in the Last Desert race, and must have completed two other races in the series to be deemed eligible. Tick and tick. Col and Sandy have just received that coveted invitation, and are more excited than ever at the prospect of crossing that Last Desert finish line.
Finishing all four races will not only make them the first husband and wife team in Australia to do so, but also the first husband and wife team aged over 50 in the world to finish the entire 4 Deserts series.
Throughout the course of their incredible journey, Colin and Sandy are also working towards another very special goal - to raise $50,000 for the Australian Childhood Foundation (ACF), a cause very close to the hearts of the Suckling family, Sandy in particular..
The ACF is a not-for-profit organisation that works to support children and families devastated by abuse, violence and neglect, through research, counselling and support services.
In a past life, Sandy endured the unimaginable horror of living in an abusive relationship with her then husband. Sandy and her three children were verbally and physically abused for a number of years and after several attempts, they were finally able to escape their nightmare.
Donate to Col and Sandy's Fundraising Efforts for the Australian Childhood Foundation
Visit Col and Sandys Website: ColinandSandysgreatadventures.com.au
