The Superhero Challenge - Superman

Superman and apprentice

Superman's altitude training at Arthur's Pass (3000ft)

Superman & Spiderman comparing strategy

Superman vs The Flash

Now back in 2012 - "Hoof it with Harold" - http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/PaulCoughlan2012/

*****

Post-Race Update
================

Thank you so much to all the wonderful people who supported the Superhero Challenge. The event was a huge success, with the record getting smashed by Nathan Aldridge dressed as Robin (Batman's sidekick) with an incredible 2hr43min35sec and some fantastic publicity and fundraising achieved (over $10k and still climbing). The support we received before, during, and after the event was fantastic, and to see the donations the Trust representatives and SBS people got for Harold the Giraffe at the finish area as he mixed it with the crowds and the kids was pretty special too. (Special thanks to my nephew, Tom Barker, for his stunning effort as Harold on Sunday). Well done to all the other superheroes, and to the SBS Mr Incredibles who ran the 10k in costume & carrying collection buckets.

For a wrap-up on the event and how it went you could go to the link to TV3s coverage, which is http://www.3news.co.nz/Superheroes-attempt-world-record-in-ChCh/tabid/418/articleID/106617/cat/100/Default.aspx. Results are at www.sbsmarathon.co.nz, photos are at http://www3.marathon-photos.com/scripts/event_entry.py?event=Sports/2009/SBS%20Marathon%20Christchurch, my bib number was 109 and Robins was 17, there are some great shots of all the superheroes.

My day from a running perspective was a bit of a disaster I had a bit of a meltdown in the second half and finished in 3hr24. The lads in England will recognise this from days gone by as a phenomenon they termed Coggie-itis, which is defined in the Belgravian dictionary as "an overly optimistic attempt at a target any right-minded realist would accept is ridiculous" and this was a spectacular example of it. At halfway I was on world record pace but starting to struggle, 3kms later I was walking and not sure how I would get to the finish, which was still 18kms away. With the help of The Flash (who was injured and following the race on the bike) and an emergency sugar fix (Jet Planes) from the nearest corner shop, as well as plenty of support from the spectators (especially the kiddies) I managed to walk & jog to the finish.

Thanks again to everyone involved.

************************

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a broken-down ex-athlete, trying to run a marathon!!


=The Superhero Challenge=

On Sunday 31 May, ten ordinary citizens will cast aside their daily attire, transform themselves into superheroes, and launch an official attempt on the World Record of 2h 49m 50s for "Running a Marathon dressed as a Superhero" to fundraise for the Life Education Trust. If successful, this world record will be recognised in the Guinness Book of World Records.

I will be running dressed as Superman, and will be racing against Spiderman, Batman, Robin, Thor, The Green Lantern, The Incredible Hulk, Captain America, Wonder Woman, The Silver Surfer and The Flash in the world record attempt (see underneath for details of their fundraising pages if you want to sponsor them).


I am a trustee of the Canterbury Life Education Trust and am passionate about the positive messages that the Life Education trust promotes. This is my way of putting my money where my mouth is!

As a former Canterbury representative runner with a Marathon best of 2h 36m, this should have been a breeze, except that that was 10 years and 10kgs ago...


So please sponsor me now!


Select the "Make a donation" button below. It's simple, fast and totally secure. If you live in New Zealand your donation is tax deductible and a receipt will be issued.


Many thanks for your support
Paul Coughlan (aka Superman)

********

Many thanks to Brent Christie at Laser Electrical Ashburton and Solomon Ye at Tradefog International for their generous donations.

Also a big thanks to the staff of Solid Energy's Christchurch office, who responded to my 10 laps of the carpark with an awesome $383.70 in collections, plus Vanessa's $20 pledge below for me to never wear the suit to work again!! Close to $700 more of the offline pledges & challenges has also come from Solid Energy & Nature's Flame - thanks guys.

********

Competitors in the Superhero Challenge - search for their names or "Superhero" in the Sponsor a Friend section of this site.

Thor - Carsten Joergensen
The Hulk - Seaton Meredith
Batman - Don Greig
Robin - Nathan Aldridge
The Green Lantern - Mark Sullivan
Spiderman - Gary Melhuish
The Flash - Leyton Tremain
Captain America - Shaun Farrell
The Silver Surfer - Michael Partridge
Wonder Woman - Anthony Duncraft