Extreme Athlete Plans To 'Walk' Across Irish Sea Aboard Human-Powered Hamster Wheel

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To say that Chris Todd likes to take on the world's toughest physical challenges is an understatement. The Bromham, England resident has won the 6633 ultra, a grueling 350-mile trek across the Arctic not once but twice, ranked second in the Gobi Ultra challenge, which entails running six marathons over six days and recently completed the world's longest (125 mile) non-stop canoe race. Now, he is getting ready for his toughest challenge yet - 'walking' 66-miles across the Irish Sea aboard a human-powered hamster wheel!

The 35-year old who came up with the idea about a year ago whilst canoeing on a lake said it took him, his wife and two friends 11 months to build his home-made 'Tredalo' or human hamster wheel - a contraption that comprises of a giant wheel and two floats on either side that act as stabilizers. The interior is fitted with a wire mesh upon which a person can walk and move the wheel forward.

Though the 66-mile long trek, may seem plenty ambitious for most of us, Chris's original plan had been to cross the 150-mile long English Channel. However, it was difficult to get permission and the costs involved were so high that he decided to bring it down a notch and settle for the Irish Sea.

The athlete who plans to do the epic crossing sometime next month, estimates that during his non-stop, two-day journey, he will burn about 36,000 calories and need 30 liters of water and the equivalent of about 60 mars bars to maintain his energy level. Talk about an extreme workout! However, all this effort will not go to waste. That's because Chris is doing it for his two favorite charities and hopes to raise at least $40,000 USD.

As to whether he will be able to complete this herculean task? The athlete sure hopes so. He has been training for it on both - the local lakes and a stationary surface. However, things will be different when he is on the unpredictable open seas especially, in the darkness of the night when there is a possibility that he might get trampled over by an unsuspecting boat. We sure hope he succeeds in this self-created endurance challenge that is like none other!

Resources: BBC.co.uk, Dailymail.co.uk

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305 Comments
  • ravermccare23
    ravermccare23over 10 years
    I wish I could try that
    • booover 10 years
      thats cool
      • ikyra_marie
        ikyra_marieover 10 years
        that is so cool, but it looks and probably is really hard and difficult :o
        • ilovewolves
          ilovewolvesalmost 11 years
          Once I rode in a human sized hamster ball! It was awesome!
          • Gracieabout 11 years
            I have a little hamster named daisy and i luv her so much she is a teddy bear hamster and she luvs to run on her wheel! :D
            • cuchieover 11 years
              sweet!!!!!
              • smartyover 11 years
                if a hamster tries to run on that,it might fall off
                • hamsterover 11 years
                  if he drowns he's gone
                  • Moostacheover 11 years
                    ummmm...what about going to the bathroom?
                    • Hammy viover 11 years
                      This is amazing!! I would never do that but it looks so fun and very challenging to me. Wow!! Go Chris