Odds against Briton Albon
– British endurance athlete Jonathan Albon (above) could be $1 million richer by tomorrow – all he has to do is win a 24-hour race, cover at least 100 miles and conquer dozens of obstacles.
The 29-year-old, who lives in Norway, has a shot at the huge cash bonus after winning the Spartan World Championship in the US and the Spartan Trifecta World Championship in Greece.
That leaves the Spartan Ultra World Championship in Iceland, which is a 24-hour multiple-lap event. The winner is the athlete who runs the most complete laps within the time limit.
To be eligible for the Spartan $1 million Trifecta, the winner must also complete 100 miles (161km) or more.
In order to qualify to race in wintry Iceland, Albon was required to complete a 50km Spartan Ultra in less than 10 hours – and he opted to do that in Malaysia last weekend before dashing back to Europe.
Albon is now about to swap the “sauna-like heat” of Malaysia for freezing conditions in Iceland.
He is not so concerned about that – he is allowed to come in briefly after each lap to stock up on equipment and food – but the performance of last year’s winner does not fill him with confidence.
“The odds are stacked against me,” he told AFP. “Last year’s winner managed 71 miles.
“It’s not going to be a walk in the park but I want to do myself justice,” he said. “If I feel I can’t run the 100 miles in the 24 hours I will pull up as I have made enough money this year.” – AFP