Marathon finish line 'felt magic'

A blind man who ran seven marathons around the world in seven days says his achievement has not yet sunk in.

Dave Heeley, of West Bromwich, West Midlands, finished with his guide Malcolm Carr at the London Marathon.

Mr Heeley, 42, told BBC Midlands Today that reaching the finishing line of Sunday's marathon had been an "absolutely magic" feeling.

Mr Heeley, who is known as Blind Dave, and Mr Carr are among only four people to complete the endurance test.

The other two are Sir Ranulph Fiennes and Dr Mike Stroud.

'Every little moment'

The friends hope to have raised thousands of pounds for Guide Dogs UK.

Mr Heeley said he was not feeling too tired, adding: "I think we're still running on adrenalin."

He said: "The London finishing line was absolutely magic because we knew it was all over, but other than that I've enjoyed every little moment of it."

He said the two had coped psychologically by concentrating on completing two sets of three races, leaving them with just the London Marathon at the end.

Their first marathon was in the Falkland Islands and the pair then ran in Rio de Janeiro, Los Angeles, Sydney, Dubai and Tunis.

Mr Carr, who has lost toenails and suffered blisters on his feet, said: "I'm over the moon. I don't think it's really sunk in now, what we've achieved.

"When we get back to West Bromwich and see everybody and maybe sit in the quiet of our own rooms it will really sink in."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Guide Dogs for the Blind Association
Dave Heeley's website
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