In an epic 100km challenge which began in Cardiff last Sunday, Michael Beynon has begun his challenge to bag a Guinness World Record for the furthest distance covered on foot by a person with a learning disability.

Starting in Cardiff and finishing in Manchester on Sunday 13th October, the Manchester Half will serve as the epic finale to Michael’s impressive 100km challenge for Mencap charity. As an accomplished athlete (also being the first man in Wales with Down Syndrome to run a marathon) Michael stated that his legs weren’t sore yet on Monday morning when appearing on Michelle Dignan’s BBC Radio Manchester show – after having run 11km that morning and a half marathon the day before!

Impressive – but can he keep this up until the end of his challenge?

Michael, who is also visually impaired and has mild left sided Cerebral Palsy, will be raising money for Mencap, a charity who support people with learning disabilities. Michael told us more about the challenge:

“Every year I take on a challenge for charity. This year I decided to raise money for Mencap, as I am a Mencap Myth Buster and because I received amazing support from Mencap last year after a very difficult episode in my life”.

The first 60km of Michael’s challenge will be joined by individuals from his 13 local Mencap charities in Wales. As a Mencap Myth Buster, Michael works with the charity to break down misconceptions about people with learning disabilities. 

Michael went on to tell us about his excitement to take on the Manchester Half:

“I’m really looking forward to crossing the finishing line of the Manchester Half at Old Trafford, as it will be the end of my 100km Challenge.  I have heard that the route is flat – which is great for me as a visually impaired runner – and that the crowds are amazing all the way around. 

Also, my support runner ran the race last year and she loved every minute so I am looking forward to it”.

We’ll be checking in with Michael closer to the time of the event but in the meantime, you can sponsor him on his JustGiving page here.