Patient News: Alex Flynn takes on the 4 Deserts Grand Slam Plus in 2020
In 2020, our patient Alex Flynn will take on the 4 Deserts Grand Slam Plus – racing 1,250km / 780 miles unsupported on foot across some of the most inhospitable landscapes in the world in the Namib Desert, Gobi Desert, the Great Caucasus of Georgia, the Atacama Desert and Antarctica - and we’ll be supporting him in the lead up to this epic challenge.
Alex was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2008 at the age of 36. His diagnosis became the catalyst in his life for showing people the possibility of creating positive change in the face of adversity.
Only eight people in the world have ever completed the 4 Deserts Grand Slam Plus and Alex Flynn is set to join this unique group of super athletes while being the first person with Parkinson’s disease to ever to attempt any RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts ultra.
Endurance events are not new to Alex. He has completed marathons, ultra endurance races and triathlons, but nothing quite as challenging as this one. Alex’s endurance achievements so far include:
Covering more than 6,200 miles to meet the 10MillionMetres challenge he had set himself.
Completing the Marathon des Sables (a 250km race across the Sahara Desert).
Attempting a 450km expedition in Sweden’s Arctic Circle in freezing temperatures.
RacingThePlanet’s 4 Deserts Grand Slam Plus poses Alex’s biggest challenge so far. Not only will temperatures rise well above 40 degrees C in the oldest desert in the world and well below freezing in Antarctica, but Alex will also be crossing the world’s highest sand dunes, waist deep rivers, fighting sand storms, racing above 10,000 feet and being at the command of Mother Nature in Antarctica.
Alex’s driver is to raise more than £1 million towards vital research to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease while inspiring and educating people about the illness along the way.
“I want a cure for millions around the planet and hope you do too. Together we can make change happen!” #KeepMoving
Alex Flynn is living proof that Parkinson’s disease is not an obstacle for success!