On 20 July 2024 ex-pro footballer Ashley Cain completed his Ultraman Challenge, after 97 days of gruelling physical and mental pain. Ash ran from Land's End to John O Groats, then turned around, got on his bike and cycled back to Land's End, whereupon he got in a surfski and paddled back to John O'Groats. 2780 miles in total. So far he has raised £211,000 for @theazayliafoundation which Ashley and Saffyia @mrashleycain 's Ultraman this Saturday, and Ashley is making a final push to reach £200,000 raised for
The Azaylia Foundation was founded by Ashley Cain and former partner Safiyya Vorajee, after losing their 8-month old daughter, their “little lion” Azaylia Diamond Cain, to AML (acute myeloid leukaemia) in April 2021.Azaylia was diagnosed with cancer at eight weeks old. Despite having successful bone marrow treatment, she died in April 2021 aged just eight months. Since than Ashley has taken on challenges to raise money for the foundation.
Ashley approached Ocean Surfski for assistance in the challenge, having met them the previous year for coaching prior to paddling the Yukon 1000 with his paddling partner Gary Johnson (Target Fitness). Ocean Surfski provide planning support, Vaikobi kit, Epic paddles and surfskis. Ashley's boat of choice is the sturdy workhorse V7, but he used the V5 for many of the offshore days. He was coached and supported the entire way by Dougal Glaisher, who the previous year had smashed the record paddling round the UK in 40 days, and Zeus Sports Events. Dougal and the RIB skipper, provided by Geotracks provided technical support and planning for the trip, arranging put in and get out points, reading tide charts and forecasts and logging routes with the coastguards. Ashley could concentrate on the paddling while the crew took care of logistics and safety, and Geotracks provided the all important tracker for dot watching.
Ashley finished his 2780 mile challenge in 87 days, raising over £200,000 for The Azalyia Foundation's Childhood Cancer PhD Scholarship Programme. The charity has already funded five PhDs at the University of Oxford and the University of Birmingham, and Ashley's ambition is to reach a target of 20 PhDs in five years.
What's the journey been like for the Epic Adventurer and the Ultraman? Read the more by Betsy Ray at paddledaily.com
Ashley and Dougal wear Vaikobi kit: 1.5mm long john, 3mm paddle pants, VCold Flex Shorts, Performance Smock, hydroflex thermal top and VXP PFD (Personal Flotation Device).
Ashley uses Epic Club Carbon 205-215 Wing Paddles in his V5 or V7.
