Ex-jockey begins 1,000-mile walk

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Former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody has begun a challenge to walk 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours for charity.

The challenge, which recreates Captain Robert Barclay Allardice's feat in 1809, means Mr Dunwoody will have to walk nearly 24 miles a day for 42 days.

Mr Dunwoody is plodding along the same route each day, from the Bedford Lodge Hotel in Newmarket, along the Bury Road to a mile post and back, until 10 July.

He hopes to raise money for charity with the walk, which began on Friday.

'Ambitious target'

He said: "My South Pole expedition last year was tough, but this might take it to a completely different level.

"Forty-two days with very little sleep could drive me to breaking point.

"But we've set ourselves an ambitious fundraising target… and that's what this challenge is about."

The money raised will be donated to various charities including the Alzheimer's Society and Racing Welfare.

Captain Robert Barclay Allardice - known as the Celebrated Pedestrian - was bet that he could not walk 1,000 miles in 1,000 hours for 1,000 guineas.

He completed the challenge on 12 July 1809, losing three stone in the process.

His achievement was hailed as "one of the greatest human feats ever attempted".