Another Gruelling Adventure

February 3rd, 2010 - Media Statement

Following on from his success leading a team on a foot race through the Gobi Desert in 2008, Swanbourne GP Jamie Prendiville is back tackling another adventure to help raise funds for the SKMRC.

Across seven days in April, Jamie and nine friends and family will take on 'RacingThePlanet' a gruelling 250-kilometre race through the Kimberley.

Jamie's 20-year-old son Christian will be the youngest competitor among the two-hundred taking part in the event. The other group members are Garry, John, Mark, Michael, Jeremy and Patrick Prendiville, as well as Bill Biffin and Kate Pataki.

Dr Prendiville said the memories of the punishing Gobi race were still fresh in his mind, but so was the feeling of accomplishment in crossing the finishing line.

"When we did the Gobi desert last time I promised I'd never do that sort of thing again and I said to the guys if I ever mention this again, I want you to kill me!" he joked.

"But as time passed, everyone's enthusiasm started sparking up again.

"And when we were in the Gobi last time, we requested they have one in Australia as soon as possible and we promised we'd do it, so here we are.

"Scott was a friend and patient of mine, so we'll be entering this challenge with added determination knowing we are raising funds and awareness for the work done in his name."

In Racing the Planet, competitors carry all their own equipment and food, only provided with water and a place in a tent each day and supported by professional medical and operations teams.

RacingThePlanet is a fifth event, which extends from the '4 Deserts' challenge - consisting of foot races across the Gobi Desert in China, the Atacama Desert in Chile, the Sahara Desert in Egypt and Antarctica - RacingThePlanet roves to a new location each year.

Time Magazine ranked 4 Deserts as the second top endurance competition in the world.

In 2008, the team raised $28,750 for the SKMRC doing the Gobi March and in 2005 the Prendiville family entered the record books as the largest group of siblings to swim the English Channel, while raising funds for the SKMRC.

To make a donation, please call (08) 9224 0324 or visit www.skmrc.org.au/kimberley.html.

For more information please contact:
Natalie Papadopoulos
Media Consultant for the WA Institute for Medical Research
Mobile: 0407 984 435
Office: (08) 9381 8237
Email: natalie@capturemedia.com.au