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Matthew Chapman Announces His Next Ultra-Marathon Adventure

If you followed Matthew Chapman through RacingThePlanet’s 4 Deserts Series from 2004 to 2006, you’ll be interested to know that he will be putting on the running shoes for his next adventure in just under twelve weeks time.

In 2006, Chapman became one of 15 people in the world to successfully complete four 250km ultra-marathons in the driest (Atacama Desert, Chile), windiest (Gobi Desert, China), hottest (Sahara Desert, Egypt) and coldest (Antarctica) deserts in the world. Along the 1000km total journey, he would experience painful blisters, record temperatures of 52 degrees Celsius in the Turpan Basin in China and wind chills of minus 30 degrees Celsius on King George Island in Antarctica.

After three years in what he calls ‘semi-retirement’ from running, Matthew is looking forward to joining a field of 225 competitors from 35 countries in RacingThePlanet’s first ever 250km ultra-marathon in Namibia. When asked what it was about this race that enticed him back into competition, Chapman replied: “I was attracted to join the event in Namibia to experience running through another desert in a pristine location in the world. Namibia is the least densely populated country in the world after Mongolia”.

For RacingThePlanet events, competitors must carry all of their possessions including clothes, food and medical supplies throughout the distance of the race. Outside assistance is only given in the form of drinking water and a space in a group tent at night. “There are no luxuries”, says Chapman, “and it makes me think about the essential tools that we need to get through life”. Past RacingThePlanet events have attracted diverse participants including CEOs, entrepreneurs, elite athletes, and charity workers, all of whom Chapman feels share similar goals of relishing the challenge while getting back to basics.

The Namibia ultra-marathon will set off from Fish River Canyon in southern Namibia on 17 May 2009 and conclude 6 days and 250km later on 23 May 2009. The race will follow a format of four back-to-back 42km marathons in the first four days, followed by an 80km stage which could last two days. The course will traverse the 550m Fish River Canyon, the second deepest canyon in the world and continue through the Wegdraai Valley, over the Hunsberg Mountain Range and into the Arimas Valley. Competitors will cross the Rekvlakte sand flats ending in the coastal town of Lƒderitz, but not before facing the Skeleton Coast and its 30 metre high sand dunes. Day temperatures will rise to close to 40 degrees Celsius but the mercury could fall below 0 degrees Celsius at night.

Chapman’s participation in the previous events was generously supported by his then employer, Hudson, and his subsequent speaking tour brought significant attention to the importance of work/life balance and career longevity for HR practitioners throughout Asia. This time around, Chapman will continue to spread his message in the Singaporean and Asian business communities of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to make career achievements sustainable.

“In an ultra-marathon, it’s important to drink enough fluid, eat enough food, take early care of injuries, and keep your pace sustainable — otherwise you simply won’t finish the race. I like to parallel this to the way we go about our career and life planning. Many people lead busy lives with hectic jobs that require frequent travel, sometimes involving high stress that cuts into our leisure time. But pure ambition without healthy balance can quickly lead to over-exertion, and the career race is won by those who take the time along the way to ensure that all facets of their life are working in unison.”

Internationally, Chapman will raise money for Room to Read, a charity that partners with local communities across Nepal, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, Sri Lanka, Laos, South Africa, Zambia and Bangladesh to provide educational opportunities by establishing libraries, creating local language children’s literature, constructing schools and developing computer laboratories. All donations received from supporters outside Singapore will go directly to this charity. Locally in his home country of Singapore, Chapman will be supporting Club Rainbow, a charity committed to helping children suffering from a range of chronic and life-threatening diseases.

In his final 12 weeks leading up to the race, you’ll be able to follow Chapman’s final preparations for the Namibia race via The Chapman Consulting Group website. Details to follow shortly.

About RacingThePlanet

RacingThePlanet’s mission is to to challenge individuals to go beyond their athletic frontiers while exploring the most remote landscapes and ancient cultures on the planet; to inspire all aspiring individuals with a life-enhancing experience; and to improve the lives of ethnic minorities and tribes in the areas we explore. See www.racingtheplanet.com

About Room To Read

Room To Read partners with local communities throughout the developing world to provide quality educational opportunities by establishing libraries, creating local language children’s literature, constructing schools, and providing education to girls. We seek to intervene early in the lives of children in the belief that education empowers people to improve socioeconomic conditions for their families, communities, countries and future generations. Through the opportunities that only education can provide, we strive to break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time. See www.roomtoread.org

About Club Rainbow

Established in 1992, Club Rainbow (Singapore) is a registered charity committed to helping children suffering from a range of chronic and life-threatening illnesses. The charity currently supports more than 470 children and their families. We provide a range of free services including a volunteer-based befriender network and counselling, and free bedside tuition. See www.clubrainbow.org

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