Tor des Geants 2015

In September I hope to be on the start line of the Tor des Geants, a race that takes you across 34 municipalities, over 25 mountain passes, past 30 alpine lakes and 2 natural parks. The minimum altitude is 300 m and the highest is 3300 m. Total elevation gain is about 24000 m. You are given 150 hours to complete this, the winning males doing so in around 75 hrs, females 85 hrs. My goal is to try and make it under the 100 hrs, maybe a bit lofty but I intend to race this, and don't want to get complacent about time.

I made the lottery draw, paid the 500 Euro entry fee not knowing quite how I would manage to get there, especially after self funding a trip to the World 24 hr Championships earlier in the year as part of Team NZ. It is a gamble I have taken before with Spartathlon, only managing to get my airfare a few weeks out, at the end of the day the worst that can happen is I lose my 500 Euro Entry fee if I can't afford to go.

I don't feel comfortable asking but the reality is my job as a hotel receptionist/housekeeper cover our living costs and does not leave money spare.

To feel more comfortable about doing this, for every $100.00 raised I will work 3 hrs for Riding for the Disabled at Ambury Park, Mangere or Totara Park, I will discuss with them where it is needed most. I will do this on my only guaranteed day off Tuesdays.

For every 3 hr block that I work I will list the donations that raised that $100.00 on a thank you sign and get someone from the facility to verify I worked, then I will post it on my web and face book page with a photo.

Costs associated with this trip.

Return airfare to Italy.

Bus & train transport to Courmayeur.

Accomodation for 3 weeks, as I need to arrive at least 2 weeks before to get used to the altitude, and I need to keep my room while racing incase something goes wrong and I'm pulled from the race.

Gear for mountain racing.

Maintaining everything back home while away with no wages coming in.