Ben Smith 401 USA Challenge 7 days to go!

Ultra athlete Ben Smith is counting down his last few days in the UK as the start of his next epic fundraising event gets even closer. In just 7 days Ben will be running and cycling in excess of 10,700 miles, taking him across all 50 US states in just 86 days this summer, the aim is to raise £104,000 for charity.

Ben will be flying out to Boston Logan airport on the East Coast of the USA and then drive the 2 ½ hours to Augusta in Maine, the start line for his USA Challenge. The first 11 days will see him complete 11 marathons in 11 days and with him cycling between each destination it will be a gruelling 1,234 miles to start his impressive campaign.

Ben hopes to raise £104,000 for The 401 Foundation, the charity he set up to support mental health in the UK. The 401 Foundation was founded by Ben as a legacy to his first fundraising event when he completed 401 marathons in 401 days in 2016, raising £330,000 for two anti bullying charities.

Ben said ‘With the money raised from the USA Challenge we will build the world’s first mental wellbeing app, designed to support mental health in the UK. It’s going to be free to the user and will help to signpost people who want help but are too worried about asking for it. To have help in the palm of your hand will be amazing and will guide the user to support right on their doorstep, finding local groups in their area, nobody should suffer in silence.’

To follow Ben’s progress, you can check him out via The 401 Challenge on his social media platforms, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn & TikTok

Notes to editors

All images are ©The401Challenge

1 – Ben setting off on a training ride

2 – Ben ready to run 40 marathons

3 – Ben ready to cycle the USA

4 – Ben Smith ultra athlete

The 401 Challenge media contacts

For more information, please telephone Helen Lazenby, 401 Challenge Ltd, Operational Support on 07800 595 995, helen@the401challenge.co.uk

With Thanks to Our USA Challenge Sponsors

Camelbak
Flyte
Rivelo
SportPursuit
Kenwood Kids Club

The 401 Challenge online

For more information on The 401 Challenge please visit HERE News releases and other media resources, including RSS feeds, downloadable photos and video, are available for you.

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