IT project manager Chris Gatrell from Ellesmere Port has completed the final leg of his incredible nine months of endurance.
Chris, 32, took part in the World’s Toughest Mudder in the Las Vegas desert earlier this month – the last of the punishing 14 endurance events he has undertaken since April.
The Unilever employee had to battle through punishing obstacles such as jumping off a 35ft platform in the dark, a course littered with potential electric shocks, climbing through a sewage pipe and a challenge which involved swinging over a pit and having to ring a bell, with penalty laps for those failing to do so.
This was made all the more difficult for Chris after he had to complete the last 25 miles with a shoulder injury.
Chris, who also competed in the same race last year , said: “The race itself didn’t really go according to plan. I tore my shoulder muscle after 15 miles and this made the obstacles even more difficult with penalties being given for failed obstacle attempts.
“The elevation gain was double from last year and this really did make the event the hardest thing I have ever taken part in.”
Chris described the start of the event as “very emotional” as World’s Toughest Mudder speaker Sean Corvelle really “does get the goosebumps going, the minutes, hours, weeks, months of training came down to the next 24 hours, and I knew I was in the best shape possible.”
Chris’s girlfriend Yasmin Peacock and his brother Michael were on hand for support and to help get him in and out of his wetsuit – a tough job in itself when dry and warm, let alone freezing cold and wet after the sun goes down in the desert.
Related: Ultra marathon man Chris is racking up the miles
Chris added: “I am pretty disappointed with the race on the whole, but I managed to carry on through the pain and complete around 40 miles (including penalty miles) which I am pleased with, I’ve never really been injured mid-race before.
“The main reason for taking part in this was to raise as much money and awareness for Cystic Fibrosis.
“I was, and still, am absolutely overwhelmed to have cleared £4,000 (and still counting) for the charity which is pretty amazing. So although I am gutted about the actual race itself, I am proud of what’s been achieved.
“It has been a very long year of training, events, races and many personal sacrifices have been made but I wouldn’t change any of it as it’s made me realise what I have achieved for the charity is all worth it.”
Chris has been raising funds for Cystic Fibrosis on behalf of his friend Paul Brace’s family.
Paul and his wife Melissa, of Penyffordd, were due to give birth to twins in 2012, but late on in her pregnancy Melissa tragically lost one baby – Poppy – but went on to give birth to Theodora, who was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis.
Paul said of Chris’s challenges: “I am totally humbled by what Chris does, not only for the cause but the training that he puts in, the effort on the day itself and thing is he finishes one big hurdle and then has another gigantic one in front of him, all for Cystic Fibrosis and our little Theodora. How can anyone not be humbled by that?“
Melissa, Theodora’s mum, added: “Words cannot describe how indebted we are to Chris, not only to help our daughter but other cystic fibrosis fighters too and make our dream of a cure that little step closer.”
To donate to Chris' cause please visit virginmoney.com .
