"Whatever your mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Profiles

Introductions

Being more of a swimmer than a runner the challenge of taking on the Toughest Footrace in the World is something that will test Mick. By his own admissions he is not built for running!

Michael/Mick/Mickey/Metal Mickey/Helpsy

Sport has been a key part of Mick's life for a long time. Whether playing, watching or coaching he enjoy sport. Although he's partial to a long swim (English Channel solo ,Lake Zurich and two lengths of Lake Windermere) he can also do equally stupid endurance events on dry land (Ironman, Marathons etc.) and the Marathon Des Sables always been in his plan to take on the longest and toughest he can find and still plans to tackle the Arch to Arc before he gets too old (Well lets face it he's already at that stage but no one is brave enough to tell him so we let him carry on regardless!)

He has always said that through these events he has felt privileged to meet so many inspirational characters and believes it is the right thing to do to help those who are less fortunate or need support by doing something he enjoys - i.e. ridiculously long and painful endurance events

Mick loves the humour and fun he gets out these challenges ,not taking this part of his life too seriously.

  Skills: Experienced Open water swimmer and a bit of a cyclist when required but NOT a runner!

Mark/Mr.B/Bayliss

It was Mark who made the first mad suggestion of doing the Marathon Des Sables in 2008. At the time Mick did not fully appreciate what would be involved and as the 2011 event comes closer he realises doing as Mr.Bayliss suggests is not always a good idea!

Mark has also undertaken Marathons, an Ironman ,play waterpolo and has swum the channel. Mark was part of Mick's crew when Mick Swam the channel and Mick was part of Mark's crew when he followed suit.

Skills: Swimmer ,Cyclist ,Runner! (contrast with with Mick's skills!)