Tavistock man tackles 50km Dartmoor ultramarathon inspired by his dad’s condition

A Tavistock man has completed a 50km ultramarathon across Dartmoor in honour of his father, who lives with a rare genetic muscle-wasting condition.

Matt Kemp, 45, took part in the Dartmoor in a Day ultramarathon earlier this autumn to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK. 

He was inspired by his dad, Paul, 70, who has Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a condition that weakens the muscles of the face, shoulders and upper arms over time.

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Matt said: “I wanted to do this for a very special person, my dad, who suffers with muscular dystrophy every single day. He never complains, or even talks much about his condition, but I see how he struggles to keep doing the things he wants to do. He is so determined and that inspires me.”

The event began at Okehampton, just 15 miles from Matt’s home in Tavistock, and finished in Ivybridge, covering some of Dartmoor’s most rugged terrain. 

The route included Bellever Tor, the West Dart stepping stones and the Erme Valley.

“The views were amazing, and the event was extremely well organised,” said Matt. 

“I’ve taken part in the Eden Project Half Marathon and Plymouth Half Marathon before and had set my sights on a full marathon for Muscular Dystrophy UK. But then I saw this challenge across Dartmoor and decided to push myself one step further.”

ABOVE: Matt before setting off on his ultramarathon

Matt raised just over £400 to support research and help people living with muscle-wasting conditions.

He explained that his father was diagnosed about 15 years ago: “The symptoms started very slowly at first but then it got to the stage where he could not even lift his arm to comb his hair. 

“After an eight-hour operation at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London, where he had his shoulder blade grafted to his spine, he regained some movement, but like everything there is a limit to what he can do.”

Matt described his dad as “stoic, determined and a real inspiration.”

“He loves cars, trucks and motorcycles, and can make or fix just about anything,” he said. 

“When I told him I was doing this ultramarathon to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy UK, he thought I was mad and was worried about the distance and my lack of training. 

“I pulled my back a couple of months ago and could not run without pain, but luckily a few trips to the physio got me back on track. Dad doesn’t quit and neither will I.”

Matt said that while he and his sister Emma worry about how their dad’s condition might progress, they are proud to help raise awareness.

“It means so much to us seeing people donate to this great cause and helping to raise awareness,” he said.

ABOVE: Matt (right) with his sister Emma and dad Paul

“There are medical advances all the time so with enough time and money, the possibilities are endless. By doing this in support of my dad, I feel I have helped a small bit.”

According to the NHS Muscular dystrophy is a rare genetic condition that “causes muscle weakness that gets worse over time”. 

There is currently no cure, but treatment can help with symptoms.

Support Matt’s fundraising at: https://www.justgiving.com/page/matthew-kemp-1