Lt Col Mike McErlain, Trauma Spine and Orthopaedic Surgeon, served in Iraq, Afghanistan, including tours of Bosnia and Northern Ireland and was attached to the Parachute Regiment. Mike co-founded the D-Day Challenge with brother-in-law Giles Barnes in 2009, to remember the fallen soldiers of 1944 and those who sacrifice their lives today for our country. Tragically, Mike died on the 6th June 2013, aged 45, while running the Normandy beaches for charity.
With the support of Combat Stress, Joanna, Mike's wife, has continued the D-Day Challenge in his memory.
The running and walking routes of this challenge take you on a fantastic course through corn, wheat and barley fields as you head down the Normandy coastline over sand dunes, through marsh land and pebble beaches. You will follow forgotten paths and rocky outcrops and pass through beautiful Norman villages.
The beaches are set alive during this first week of June with people from all over the world, driving WWII vehicles, some even wearing old WWII uniforms. Amongst these people are hundreds of war veterans, some of whom lived through D-Day and proudly wear their medals and tell their amazing stories.
The D-Day 44 Challenge commemorates the 1944 Allied invasion of occupied France. For those who are passionate about adventure and sporting challenges, the challenge offers the perfect opportunity to indulge these passions. The walk/run allows you to appreciate fully the sacrifices made by our forefathers, as well as current servicemen, who have bravely fought to protect our way of life.
