Ryan to climb Three Peaks during 1,300-mile challenge
A BUILDING contractor from Aberdare is set to embark on the most daunting challenge of his life as he prepares to walk the length of Great Britain.
At 9am on Friday, Ryan Owen, 43, will set off from Land’s End, the most south-westward point of Britain, and walk to John O’ Groats, typically acknowledged as the extreme northern point of mainland Scotland.
When he finishes, Ryan will have walked at least 1,300 miles. He will be camping for the full duration of the walk, which he expects to take approximately three months to complete.
And, as if that was not quite enough, he will also complete the National Three Peaks challenge along the way – which involves climbing Snowdon in Wales, Scafell Pike in England and Ben Nevis in Scotland. Ryan is taking on the challenge for a very personal reason, raising money for Velindre Cancer Centre, an organisation close to his heart.
“My father died of cancer about seven or eight years ago,” he said. “He was treated very well by Velindre so I want to give something back.”
Ryan is completing the challenge alone, without the aid of a support vehicle, and could go several days without encountering any shops for food.
He explained: “It’s something I’ve always wanted to do. A friend did it about 20 years ago and I’ve always been into walking. It’s going to be tough but I’m confident.
“I finished work at the beginning of the month so I’ve been training for four weeks, outside and in the gym.”
Ryan added: “For the first three weeks, I was training every day. I’ve had to ease off the past week as I’ve had other things to take care of.”
This is not the first time Ryan has put his body and mind through such a gruelling test.
In 2014, the Jaguar Land Rover building contractor completed the Welsh Three Peaks challenge, climbing Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen y Fan. In the process, he raised over £1,000 for Velindre.
This time, Ryan has set a more ambitious target of raising more than £5,000 for the organisation.
You can make a donation via his justgiving page at www.justgiving. com/fundraising/RyanOwen4, or text ETEH75 with the amount you would like to donate to 70070.