Ride to run
An adventurous soul travels around the world on his motorbike to take part in marathons in every continent.
WHAT’S better than riding your motorbike or running marathons around the world? Both. At least, that’s what Andy Dukes believes.
The adventurous 47-year-old started riding his motorbike around the world in early 2017.
“My aim was to combine my love for adventure travel on my motorcycle with my passion for running,” he said. Dukes’ plan is to ride his motorbike through six continents, to run six marathons.
He was in Kuala Lumpur in May for his first marathon: the 9th Standard Chartered Marathon at Dataran Merdeka, Kuala Lumpur (SCMKL) which drew a crowd of about 36,000 runners.
“I rode 18,000km through 18 countries for 11 weeks, just to run 42km. What was I thinking of?” he said laughingly.
Dukes, who is a member of his local running club back in London, said that he had done numerous 10km runs, half-marathons and even a few off-road ultramarathons before coming to KL.
“I much prefer the longer events!” he enthused. When asked why he was doing this, he replied: “I love riding my motorbike and I love running, so why not combine these two passions in one great adventure? What I hope to achieve is a bucket full of memories that will last for a long time.”
Dukes, who does work at the public relations agency for BMW Motorrad in Munich had also worked as a journalist before embarking on his great adventure.
“I love running because it’s a great way to clear my mind from all the day-to-day issues. I can work through problems and return home refreshed and invigorated ... unless of course, I’m doing hill training, then I return home in pieces,” he laughed.
Duke has been an avid motorbiker since he lived in Paris, where he got his bike licence. “I’m using a BMW F800 GS Adventure, simply because it’s built to go where other bikes can’t go. I don’t want to tempt fate, but it just keeps me going ... through dirt tracks, sand, gravel, and potholes huge enough to swallow a bus.