YEOVIL COLLEGE AMBASSADOR COMPLETES 94 MARATHONS

Released On 18th Sep 2018

Yeovil College Ambassador, Brendan Rendall, has completed an epic challenge over the past two months, running 94 marathons in less than 100 days from Namibia to Mozambique. The feat of running the width of Africa ‘4000km or 2474 miles’ was taken on by Brendan to support a charity close to his heart.

The aim was to raise £75,000 to build vital accommodation for vulnerable orphans at the 'Friends of Mulanje Orphans' (FOMO) secondary school in Malawi. The Yeovil College Ambassadors’ latest adventure was the most challenging, inspiring and mind boggling to date. Brendan set out on his journey with a true hero’s send-off back in May from Yeovil College and has since been running on average 25 miles a day; yes that’s almost a marathon a day! Some days he achieved a mammoth 33 miles per day. Shortly after landing on the coast of Africa Brendan and his trusty Yeovil College mascot Benny Bear (pictured) wasted no time at all and began the run. Brendan only finished a few days behind schedule, despite being ill with parasite infections, combating sandstorms, battling with extreme temperatures and even having to deal with a few wild animals! Contrary to popular belief Brendan wasn’t always a running machine.

Brendan was born and raised in Somerset, attending Yeovil College, studying Leisure and Tourism and King Arthur’s Community College in Wincanton. He recognises that his very own journey started here in Yeovil and he is determined to give something back and to inspire the next generation. Delivering motivational speeches to students and most recently being selected to stand alongside Paula Radcliffe at The National Running Show, January 2019, he is determined to spread his message across the UK and beyond. Over the years, Brendan has transformed his life beyond recognition, giving up his job and selling his possessions and home to support his life-long ambition to improve the well-being of others and make an international life changing difference. He has undergone many charity challenges to raise money for Friends of Mulanje Orphans (FOMO) which supports 3,500 orphans in South Malawi and now has completed the most impressive challenge yet. John Evans, Principal of Yeovil College, said “Brendan is everything we try to instil within our students – determination, hardworking, motivation and caring - which is why I am overwhelmed to have him as a Yeovil College Ambassador! Brendan has the upmost respect from both me and the College community for what he has achieved; he is a true inspiration to many of our students. This is a perfect start to the new academic year for us all.

Over the past couple of months, Yeovil College has achieved some incredible successes; 100% A Level pass rate, ‘Top Performing College’ in Somerset and students securing spaces at Oxford University, the University of St Andrews and the Royal Veterinary College, to name but a few. We are less than two weeks into the new academic year and have already achieved record enrolment figures, meaning we have more students than ever before resulting in additional classes being timetables, and now Brendan has achieved beyond all expectation and imagination. Huge congratulations to Brendan. Everyone from the College is extremely proud of you.” Brendan Rendall, said: “It was my first time visiting many of these countries and the stunning landscapes took my breath away, but the most remarkable part of the journey was definitely the kindness and generosity of the people I met along the way – this was extremely overwhelming. Strangers invited me to stay in their homes, fixed my equipment and welcomed me to their family dinner tables – I own these people a debt of gratitude that I will never be able to repay.” Brendan will be delivering a motivational talk to current Yeovil College students in the coming months about his incredible journey so far and will be announcing his next challenge