Britannia’s Staff Captain, Daniel Williams-Smith, is preparing to tackle his biggest running challenge yet as he takes on a 50km ultramarathon to raise funds for Sailors’ Society.
The Gold Coast 50 (GC50), held in Queensland, Australia, will see Daniel put months of training and determination to the test as he aims to complete the course in under three hours and 50 minutes.
For Daniel, the challenge is about much more than crossing the finish line:
“For those who’ve sailed with me, you’ll know that running has become a huge part of my life over the past few years. After completing the Brisbane Marathon earlier this year, I wanted my next challenge to have a purpose beyond a finish time.
Having spent almost 20 years working at sea, I’ve seen first-hand the dedication and sacrifices made by seafarers across our industry. That’s why I’ve chosen to fundraise for Sailors’ Society. They’re a charity that provides practical, emotional and wellbeing support to seafarers and their families around the world.”
Preparing for an ultramarathon while working onboard brings its own challenges. Much of Daniel’s training takes place on the treadmill in the crew gym, fitting sessions around a busy schedule, with the remainder completed ashore while on leave.
His commitment to both his training and the cause reflects the determination and resilience that are so often part of life at sea. If you’d like to support Daniel and help Sailors’ Society continue its important work supporting seafarers and their families, donations can be made via his JustGiving page.