100km challenge

My 100km challenge!

Jackie Burden explains how having MS did not stop her achieving her 100km cycle challenge

It was January 2022, when the frost hung around and your breath could be seen, that l decided to set myself the ‘100 km challenge any way you wish’ for charity.

I decided that I wanted to take part in a challenge where I could do as much as I was able so having a specially adapted trike I decided to tackle the challenge through cycling because I have multiple sclerosis (MS). The use of this trike allows me the freedom of movement powered by my own legs. My quest was a 2km circuit of my local velodrome once a week.

By no means was I Bradley Wiggins but ever so slowly the kilometres began ticking away, until eventually almost a year later I was approaching the big 100!

To commemorate the long-awaited last 2km I gathered friends and family and hired out the velodrome for a celebration. Dressed in Christmas jumpers and hats I lined up on the start line on what happened to be one of the coldest mornings of the year!

Together with my supporters I cycled the last 2km in my fastest time to date, finishing with mulled wine and mince pies to warm the frozen extremities.

Through the day we managed to raise a further £150 on top of the £700 already collected, well exceeding my original expectations.

A really enjoyable challenge that stretched me both physically and mentally with a great final finish! Now to decide on the next!

Could you take on a challenge to help raise money for people affected by MS? Why not find out more about My MS Marathon, the UK’s most accessible marathon? You set your own challenge – choose what you want to do and have fun while you do it!