From England, across Canada, down the Missouri River to Cottonwood Marina. Here, the duo departs for St. Louis, Missouri.

Sean Johnson and Rob Tweddle came all the way from England just to paddle their way from the headwaters of the Missouri River to their destination in St. Louis. 

I first ran into them at Pop-N-Doc's Marina up in Decatur last Sunday. We then met again at Cottonwood Marina when they made their way down river another 40 miles the next day. As of last Monday, they had been on the river for 66 days. 

This 2,564 mile trip on the river is actually Phase 2 of a three phase plan they developed called the 'North American Challenge 2002'. Their purpose is to raise money and awareness for Cancer Research. 

They began their venture the first week of April when they cycled their way across Canada

	Map shows the complete route of the 'North American Challenge 2002'.

covering 3,840 miles during that phase of the challenge. After completing their trip down the Missouri River (which they plan to accomplish by September 16th or 17th), they will fly to Maine, rest a few days then start on Phase 3. This last phase of their trip consists of walking and cross country skiing the whole Appalachian Trail (2,155 miles). 

In 1999, Rob had originally planned to cycle across Canada, coast to coast, then his dad was diagnosed with cancer and died shortly afterwards. Sean then joined in and they decided to extend the challenge to include the Missouri River kayak trip and the Appalachian Trail. 

Former Royal Marines, Rob and Sean will eventually cover a distance of over eight thousand five hundred miles. If you would like to learn more about their adventures or donate to the cancer research fund they have established, visit their website at:
NorthAmericanChallenge.com.