FIREFIGHTER Rebecca Openshaw-Rowe from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service is about to take on The Great World Race in November this year.
Rebecca who forms one half of the Antarctic Fire Angels duo, will be undertaking an epic 7 marathons in 7 consecutive days across 7 continents wearing full firefighting kit and breathing apparatus sets.
The pair are no strangers to ground breaking challenges as earlier this year they completed an extraordinary Antarctic expedition. This involved them trekking over 1,200km in 52 days, from the coast of the Antarctica to the South Pole – the equivalent of 29 marathons. They were the first people ever to complete their chosen route and their expedition was entirely unguided and unassisted, whilst pulling their own supply and equipment sleds – each weighing over 100kg.
Speaking about the forthcoming challenge, Firefighter Rebecca Openshaw-Rowe of Port Talbot Fire Station, said: “It is so important for us to be visible as female firefighters and to continue to help change the narrative of what it means to be a girl.
“The Great World Race gives us an opportunity to take our message across the world.”
As well as preparing physically and mentally for The Great World Race next month, Rebecca has also spent the last year fundraising for her challenge through a Just Giving page. The Just Giving page is still accepting donations in the final lead-up to the challenge, with any surplus funds being donated to the Antarctic Fire Angels’ nominated charity, The King Trust.
Rebecca will be leaving for Wolf’s Fang, Antarctica on Friday November 15th where she will start the first of the seven marathons. Next up will be Cape Town, South Africa, closely followed by Perth, Australia. The fourth and fifth marathons will take place on multi-loop courses on the Asian and European sides of the Bosphorus Bridge, Istanbul. Following this Rebecca will be off to Cartagena, South America before finishing in Miami, North America for her final marathon.
Everyone at Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service wishes Rebecca the very best of luck!
