Men of Action: Racing At The Top Of The World

The North Pole Marathon took place this Easter weekend, which combines polar adventure with marathon running - the perfect environment for Men of Action.

Now in its eighth year, the UVU North Pole Marathon is the only run to take place entirely on water (the frozen water of the Arctic Ocean). The circular route is 26.6 miles and competitors must run this ten times.

Irish novelist Michael Collins, a past competitor describes the course:

'It's the most amazing extreme marathon I have ever run. It brought runners to the limits of their endurance and lived up to its billing in every respect, affording athletes a chance to run and feel on top of the world'

This year proved to be an exciting challenge for all competitors involved. This year's Men's winner, Andre Murray finished in an extraordinary time of 4 hours, 17 minutes and 8 seconds. The fastest woman in the race was Demelza Farr, who finished with a time of 6 hours, 6 minutes and 36 seconds.

This year's winner describes the event:

'The North Pole Marathon is an experience of a lifetime. Whilst running, the views and the shapes of the ice are the best painkillers'

'What the race encapsulates is the sheer determination of everyone to succeed'

Most of the competitors have already returned home. Average temperatures can reach -35C, but the views that competitors were lucky enough to see counters this to some degree. This is a marathon that combines the harsh environment with natural, undisturbed beauty and completing this is a remarkable achievement.

Remembering Davy Crockett, Irish Hero and Man of Action

Our latest trip to San Antonio, Texas has been proof that Irish communities thrive all over the world. Like The Wild Geese, these communities dream of one day returning to Ireland. 

Some of the people we met over the St. Patrick's Day weekend in San Antonio are planning to travel to visit Ireland. To this, they need to travel over 4000 miles and make 3 different flight connections. But the draw of 'home' is enough to get them there. 

Forty men of Irish descent died at The Battle of The Alamo, who fought for freedom and liberty. With these men was Davy Crockett, the courageous solider and folk hero who dreamed of an independent Texas. 

He promised to defend the freedom of Texas and was forced into a siege at The Alamo. Bombarded by heavy artillery, Crockett and his followers were forced into a hand to hand fight. They were relentless and chose to give their lives for a free Texas. 

Today these men are remembered everyday at The Alamo, where people from all corners of the world visit each day. 

San Antonio epitomises a modern day chapter of The Wild Geese story and illustrates the fact that THE WILD GEESE IRISH SOLDIERS & HEROES brand and the experience of Irish people are one and the same. 

Men of Action: European Adventurer of the Year on the Search to Continue Conservation Work

It has been announced this month that Ed Stafford, a modern day adventure and Man of Action has joined the search for the next generation of environmental reporting. 

Working with Together for Trees, a partnership that works to conserve the world's rain forests, the competition seeks a new rainforest reporter who can highlight issues of conservation. 

Ed was named the European Adventurer of the Year in 2011 by the National Geographic Society, after spending two and half years in the Amazon region. This expedition, which he started in April 2008, lead him along the Amazon river, from its source to the Brazilian coast, where it meets the Atlantic Ocean. During this time, he raised awareness of the threats to rainforest environments and 

He's an ideal candidate to judge this competition:

'After having spent two years in the Amazon, saving the world's rainforests is an issue very close to my heart'

'I've witnessed first hand the destruction of these beautiful areas, so was really delighted to be asked to be involved in Together For Trees'

'For me, it is important that people, for generations to come, get to experience the wonder, beauty and benefits that only rainforests can provide'

There are few people who know these environments quite like Ed. He walked the 4000 mile length of the Amazon river in 859 days, which is an astonishing feat. 

Even before he set off, most people had already written the former army captain off. Many critics said Ed would likely die on the trek or be forced to abandon it.  

But he marched through dangerous animals, harsh terrain, and local indigenous people, many of which had never seen a westerner before.

'There were genuine looks of absolute terror when we arrived in communities'

Ed and his guide, a Peruvian forestry worker named Gadiel 'Cho' Rivera, were detained, threatened and chased by some of the local communities.

But one tribe's chief agreed to travel with them across their native lands. 

'The chief ended up walking with us for 47 days... we became good mates'

Ed and Cho on their journey

The high and low points all culminated in a tremendous adventure. Spurred on by the thought of becoming the first man to achieve this feat and his undying passion for protecting rainforest environments, Ed reached the end in August 2010. 

'The positivity around us here was incredible. The locals came out, they were playing live music, they were dancing on the beach, and the media attention was incredible'

This positive energy will be a key component in judging Together For Trees' competition. We're really looking forward to his next expedition, which he had planned to start in 2012. 

For more information about the Together For Trees competition, visit www.tesco.com/trees. 

Men of Action: Ireland Secure Win at the Six Nations

Ireland 32 - 14 Scotland

Ireland found itself in an intense battle in the Six Nations rugby last Saturday. With each team leaving their previous match without a win, a victory was vital to progression in the 2012 championship.

Ireland had a significantly strong start to the game. But it wasn't without it's challenges. The Irish team had lost it's first two captains due to injury. With Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell on the bench, many critics thought the team would fall apart. This is something Ireland's lock, Donnch O'Callaghan recognised going in to last weekend's match:

'When you're missing two guys of their calibre it gives opponents a bit of confidence'

'It's important that when there's a bit of a void, other people step up and that's what happened throughout the team against Scotland'

Ireland was not short of stars during the game. Captain Rory Best, Eoin Reddan and Andrew Trimble all scored tries in the first half, securing a strong lead for Ireland going into the second half. 

Stepping up to the captaincy must have been daunting for Rory Best. But he kept calm and issued a thoughtful game plan. His early decision to kick to the corner instead of trying for three points was a risky manoeuvre. But Best followed the thought through, which resulted in the first try of the game and set the pace for the remainder. 

'We just thought we would keep the pressure on them and it is nice when those things pay off'

Rory Best

Most importantly, his team had confidence in him. Ireland's blindside flanker, Stephen Ferris outlines this:

'I think his leadership from day one in the camp, all those weeks ago alongside Paul O'Connell [former captain], has been great. He's helped out Paul in the last numbers of the weeks and he was the perfect man to come in there and lead us out there today'

'He just says what everyone needs to hear. He doesn't say an awful lot but what he does sinks in'

But the moment of the match came from Richie Gray, who ended a 30 metre run to the line with a try. A tight second half was out to rest with a try from Fergus McFadden, which secured the win for Ireland. 

Rory Best was very pleased with the final result especially because 'to score 32 points against the Scottish team you take a lot of confidence into next week', when Ireland meets England at Twickenham. It will certainly be a St. Patrick's Day to remember. 

For coach Declan Kidney, Saturday's win is an opportunity to measure Ireland's progress:

'I think our decision-making is getting better all the time, when to move it, when to play position, we are asking more questions of the opposition'

The celebrations will be short as preparation for next Saturday's match begins. Like The Wild Geese, the team will be looking toward the nation they represent. 

'This team is super professional. Other people in Ireland are working harder than we are. Why shouldn't we work hard?'

Congratulations to the entire team for a very impressive win!

Men of Action: Argus Cycle Tour 2012, Cape Town

This Sunday is the annual Argus Cycle Race, taking place in Cape Town, South Africa.

This is a unique opportunity for cycles to come together and challenge themselves to compete in one f the world's largest sporting events. 31,000 cyclists are expected to take part and will each challenge themselves to finish the 109km which will take them through some of the Cape's most mesmerising scenery.

People from all walks of life have been training hard for the race. Each face is there for their own reasons, whether its for the exhilaration of the competition, a personal challenge, or to raise awareness for a cause close to their hearts. 

Rick Lawrence's team, 'Race for Rhinos' is taking action to raise money for the protection of rhinos from poaching in South Africa:

'Our bikes will be decorated and our tops will make us recognisable as the Race for the Rhino team. We have targeted finishing the race inside five hours and hope that people recognise the efforts of the riders and that give generously to this cause

They have already received a great deal of support from local businesses and have choses the Argus race as a springboard for growing support for the charity. Their project seeks to grow a sustainable habitat, where the critically endangered Black Rhino in KwaZulu-Natal, a province of South Africa. In this habitat, the animals will be able to roam freely and grow their numbers in safety. 

They will make up a significant portion of the race competitors, as Lawrence outlines:

'We have a team of 50 cyclists competing in the 2012 Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour, who are all riding to raise funds and try and make a difference'

Another competitor is Helen Harder, who is battling cancer. She was diagnosed in February 2011 and at last year's Argus Cycle Tour her boyfriend, Alwyn Badenhorst completed the race in honour of her. This year, she is planning to complete it with him. 

'I want to raise awareness, but also show the people what one can do while getting chemo... accept the challenges you get in your life and face them. That's what I'm doing'

Really inspiring. The Argus Cycle Tour is not just an environment to raise awareness, but also to test oneself. Although she's nervous, Helen is going into the race with a positive attitude:

'You have to react and adapt'

If you want to see the race route, a collaborative project has produced a video that take you along the route in just under ten minutes.

Made by Game On and Rockets Compression Sportswear, both based in South Africa, the video was made by driving the entire Argus Route and then editing the clip to speed up the footage. The route looks tough, but we're sure the atmosphere will be buzzing on March 11th when the competitors cycle the 109km route and wish them all the best of luck!

Modern Day Herald: Remembering Rémi Ochlik

Rémi Ochlik

16 October 1983 - 22 February 2012

Over the past week, many words have been attributed to Rémi Ochlik, the French photographer who died in a Syrian bombing. Perfectionist. Cool-headed guy. Hero. But Bruno Stevens, one of Rémi's colleagues prefers the word 'Herald':

'I use the word in the etymological and historical sense of "herald": a man of great value in charge of conveying the most important messages of his time'

And that he did. Ochlik was truly a Man of Action, and sought out modern front lines to capture the attrocities and injustices that take place beyond our television screens. If his associate Marie Colvin gave the innocent a voice, Ochlik fought to give them a face. This face changed many times over his career, from rioting in Haiti to protesting in Libya, but the message remained constant: the struggle of the oppressed. 

Rémi's commitment won him critical acclaim at this year's World Press Photo contest. His 'Battle for Libya' collection of photographs won the first prize in the General News category. 

But there was no time for celebration and congratulations. This only spurred Rémi on to work harder and be better. 

His friend at Paris Match remembers:

'He never celebrated. He left a few hours afterwards [for Syria]... he wasn't the kind of guy who would gloat for winning a prize. it was the kind of this that made him work harder'

Tragically, Rémi won't see the World Press awards ceremony in April, but we're sure he will be remembered and celebrated. Rémi was truly one of the most talented photojournalists around. Jean-François Leroy, the head of the major international photojournalism festival Visa Pour L'lmage remembers the exciting potential Rémi showed from the outset. 

'Someone showed me this work on the events in Haiti. I was very beautiful, very strong. I didn't know the guy who'd done it. I asked him to come in. He's called Rémi Ochlik, he's 20. He worked alone, like a big guy. There you go. Photojournalism is not dead'

An example of Remi's early work in Haiti

He invigorated the industry, breaking new frontiers and exposing brutally real images. But this fire will not burn out, as Bruno Stevens concludes his tribute:

'Marie [Colvin] and Rémi are not dead: under each of her words, behind each of his photographs, their pure hearts are beating strongly for a better future'

Giving a Voice to the Voiceless: Remembering Marie Colvin

Marie Colvin 

12 January 1956 - 22 February 2012

Today we honour the courageous Marie Colvin, a front line journalist who was impassioned to bring truth to readers around the world. She was recently killed while reporting on the crisis in Syria when her building was bombed. She died alongside French photographer Rémi Ochlik, who was on hand to document images of the conflict. 

No stranger to the intense demands of the front line, Marie placed herself in incredible to danger in order to fulfil a personal goal of hers. In 2001, while reporting on the conflict between government forces and rebel Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka, Marie lost the sight in her left eye following an attack.

This was a time for her to reflect on the choices she was making. Undeterred, she continued to commit herself to her life's work.

'My job is to bear witness. I have never been interested in knowing what make of plane had just bombed a village or whether the artillery that fired at it was 120mm or 155mm'

For Marie, conflict was a human story, rather than a political or religious one. And it had human consequences.

'These are people who have no voice. I feel I have a moral responsibility towards them, that it would be cowardly to ignore them. If journalists have a chance to save their lives, they should do so'

Although her words resonated across the world, and her style became synonymous with the truth, Marie was someone who took action. Fearless and heroic, she judged the impact of conflict on innocents to be unfair. In 1999, while reporting in East Timor, she refused to leave a besieged compound which was being attacked by Indonesian-backed forces. The compound had 1,500 women and children inside - innocents who could not be ignored. Marie stayed with an unarmed UN force, and reported her experiences to the world. With the global community watching the events unfold, she was able to help secure evacuation of all 1,500 people after a tumultuous four days.

We jon the international community in remembering and celebrating her life.

Lord Justice Leveson said:

'There is no better example of the very best in journalism than that provided by Marie Colvin'

'To say that she was a fine reporter does not do justice to the tribute that she is owed and which I am very pleased to acknowledge' 

Her friend and fellow journalist Jim Muir wrote:

'She had an absolute compulsion to go to where bad things were happening, and tell the world about it'

'If there is a scale of courage, Marie was at the top of it. Because she knew the reality of war, and there are no guardian angels... her coverage was the bravado of the foolhardy who imagine themselves invulnerable'

'It was the quiet determination of someone who had to do what she believed she was for; knowing the risks and possible consequences. To tell the story and give a voice to the voiceless'

We thank her for humanising the news. We remember for her courage. We celebrate her for her action.