ONE man, one million vertical steps, and one year in which to complete it.
Personal trainer Roger Davies’ challenge begins today (Friday), and will see the Douglas man have to average a minimum of 2,740 steps every day for the next 12 months to raise money for Manx Cancer Help.
The challenge is equivalent to climbing up and down the Gas Works steps on South Quay in Douglas 14 times a day. Employ another analogy and the task starts to take on an even more monumental feel; after completing one million steps Roger will have ascended and descended 215,080 metres (705,642 feet), or up and down Mount Everest 24 times. That’s a climb up and down the world’s highest mountain twice a month for one year, and Roger has a target of raising £25,000 for Manx Cancer help in the process.
‘I want to get as far ahead as quickly as I can,’ said Roger, who – when factoring in possible injuries, family holidays, competing in UK fitness competitions and a possible place in March’s gruelling Marathon des Sables – may in reality only have as little as 10 months to reach one million steps.
Given his job, Roger is up and down steps with clients with some regularity. So which steps count and which ones don’t?
‘Anything done through work or at home doesn’t count,’ explained Roger. ‘I’m aiming for one million extra vertical steps. I’ll mostly use the Gas Works steps, the steps from Port Jack to Royal Skandia and the Market Street steps behind Marks and Spencer. And I’ll be wearing GPS equipment so people can keep count.’
To keep the profile of the challenge high, Roger has roped in a number of well-known faces to join in for sessions on the steps throughout the year, including former world superbike champion James Toseland, enduro champion David Knight, stunt rider Steve Colley, freerunner Will Sutton, Parish Walk winner Robbie Callister, snowboarding professional Zoe Gillings, cross country runner Keith Gerrard and TT star Ryan Farquar.
He will also be joined by former rugby international Kyran Bracken, providing his ice-rink visits the island this December. Even Chief Minister Allan Bell is involved: there are plans for him to join Roger on the staircase in the Tynwald buildings.
Roger’s fundraising initiatives have led him into securing corporate sponsorship from almost 30 companies, who will have their logos displayed on banners surrounding his main training areas. More information, how to sponsor or support Roger, photograph updates and ways to keep track of steps conquered so far can be found at {http://www.millionsteps.co.uk/|www.millionsteps.co.uk} and on The Million Step Challenge page on Facebook.
‘It’s stepping into the unknown, I don’t know of anyone who has done it,’ reflected Roger.
‘I’m used to niggly injuries after 20 years of football, so it will be interesting to see how my body reacts to this!’