HOME ABOUT AICR HELPING US CANCER INFORMATION SUCCESS STORIES RESEARCH NEWS

Everest Marathon

Not content with running through the Sahara, and completing the London Marathon dressed as a huge butterfly, Ben Edwards has just taken part in another daunting adventure - he ran in the Everest Marathon.

Ben in his butterfly costume

Always looking for ways to push his limits and raise funds for important cancer research, Ben is no stranger to endurance events. Having already raised well over £100,000 for AICR by completing the gruelling Marathon des Sables and last year's London Marathon, Ben took part in the highest marathon in the world. The journey lasted from the 15th November to the 9th December 2007 with the actual marathon taking place on the 5th December.

This is what Ben had to say to his supporters when he got back to the UK:

Update 5 - "I'm glad to be back home. I've lost ten pounds and have a lung infection. The local hospital have done tests and I'm beginning to feel better although its still hard and a bit painful to breath. The important thing now is to get fit and well for the birth of my son. My wife Emma has been great now its my turn to be there for her. I'll keep you posted but we expect Thomas James to put in an appearance any day now. Thanks again to all of you who have sponsored me, and supported me with your messages of good will and encouragement. I hope together we will have raised the target of £100,000 to support AICR."

Update 4 - "Its done...all finished, and I can't say I'm not glad its over. The stomach and chest infection caught up with me on the race day and I could only walk the course . It took me over 11 hours and I was the last man through the finish gate. The support team allowed me to continue through the night to finish the event. As those of you who know me will confirm, failure was never an option for me.The doctors are concerned as I have a severe chest infection and want me to rest. All I can think about now is getting home to my wife in time for our son's birth. I'm hoping I can fly back to Kathmandu tomorrow, and expect to be back in Cheshire by Sunday. Thanks to each and every one of you for your support and good wishes. I did wear the AICR T-shirt with pride as I always do - and I did my best."

Update 3 - "At the time of writing we have two more camp nights: one at Lobuche and one at Gorak Shep. Most of us are getting impatient - me most of all. I have a son at home waiting for his dad to get back so he can be born, and a lovely wife ready to pop! I just want to get on with the race now. Those of us that are ill don’t want to get any worse by camping in freezing conditions. Those that are well don’t want to catch anything from those with colds.

This is the last report until after the race. Inevitably there have been personal ups and downs, injuries and illness, some so serious that three people have had to return to Kathmandu - one guy with a suspected heart condition and a girl with DVT. The majority will pass their medicals tomorrow and be on that start line, and I plan to be one of them.
Spare a thought for those that make it and those that don’t, because you can be sure that each and everyone has given 100%.

This will be one of the toughest things I've ever done. Please think of me. Ben"

Update 2 - "We are climbing ever higher every day and the altitude is taking its toll on some of us. Luckily I am over my stomach bug with no lasting problems to report. The routine is repetitive but reassuring as we make our way slowly to Gorak Shep and the Race start: 7am kit packed, by 8am breakfast finished and on our way. 3pm arrive at campsite, unpack kit, meal at 6pm and into sleeping bags by 8pm.

The weather during the day is perfect - sunny and warm, but at night it is freezing. To give you an idea of the conditions, by 5pm there is frost on the outside of the tent, by 6pm frost inside the tent. Your breath freezes as soon as it leaves your body.

During the day because of the dry conditions - it is extremely dusty and dirty - we are all filthy, our kits are filthy and most of us have given up washing - there's just no point. The kitchen boys and porters who work so hard for us are always singing no matter how hard their work is. It makes you realise just how much we take for granted back home.

The scenery is of course breathtaking - during the day and at night when there are stars from horizon to horizon. As we have increased our altitude - up to 5440 metres (Gokyo Ri) inevitably there have been casualties from mild to severe altitude sickness - with one person having to return home already. People are here to raise money for causes they believe in but to get to the start line is an achievement in itself. But its a fact - and a sadness - some won't make it.

Yesterday, one of the girls got 'gored' by a yak. Luckily it didn't damage anything important, but she won't be arm wrestling for a while.

Thanks again for all the messages and support from home. My next report will be on Tuesday - and by then we'll be 24 hours before RACE DAY."

Update 1 - "Greetings everyone from Katmandu. It's hard to believe that we are only 5hrs 45 minutes from the UK... its truly like another world. The smog and dust are madness and hard to deal with. Our first couple of days were all about settling in, excursions to local beauty spots and and thorough briefings from our leaders (who are very experienced ) and the six doctors charged with looking after us. The Brits have been split into three groups of 30 and everyone is supportive and friendly.

We all did a 6-mile fun run on day 2. Beforehand everyone had been encouraged to wear fancy dress. I put on the fairy costume my wife Emma made and it looked good - especially with the stylish AICR T - shirt I'm very proud to wear.

I'm afraid my stomach took a turn for the worse next day and I was quite poorly for a while. We had to set off for the long trail to Namchi and I was suffering quite badly so, in the end I went to see the doc who dosed me up, but it took a couple of days to get over. I was feeling a bit sorry for myself, but soon put into into perspective when I thought about my cousin who is bravely battling cancer and all the people AICR have helped and will help in the future.

Its now day 8, and we have now left the comforts and beauty of Sagarmatha National Park. If our guides think we have acclimatised sufficiently well enough we will be allowed to climb Gokyo Ri, which at 5,483 metres is considered to be a real beauty. The decision will be up to others, but I know I will be disappointed if I'm not allowed to go. We shall see".

Before Ben set off we asked him about his preparations.

Question 1 - How is your training going?

OK- I have done 7 long runs of more than 16 miles so far, and did the Snowdon Marathon two weeks ago in 4 h 50 mins. This week recovery the next few I will be doing 2 weekend long runs (15-18 miles) and 2 runs during the week.

Question 2 - Will it be a lot harder than the Marathon des Sables?

Hard to say, both are completely different challenges, the MDS was hot during the day and then cold during the night. The Everest Marathon will have the problems associated with hypoxia - some people may not even make it to the start line.

Question3 - how are you preparing for the extreme cold?

In a word I am no, nor will I - I will use behavioral strategies to overcome the cold - good equipment etc. I have previously been in conditions of -45ºC in the Arctic.

Question 4 - What are you eating?

Same as always, no real change to my diet.

Question 5 - have you had to lose weight or put it on?

I have lost 10 kg from the time I have started training - more a reflection of a prior 8 month sedentary lifestyle though I do feel fit and well.

Question 6 - What will be the hardest part?

Firstly, getting to the start (5184 m), once there, as I understand it there are two suspension bridges to not fall off and a nice climb from mile 13 to 14 then a long down hill for two miles then a particularly nice climb of 250 m over a mile to mile 17 during the route to the end (3446 metres - anything over 1000 m is classed as a mountain) - so there will be a few challenges.

Question 7 - Your first baby is due to be born two days after you get back - aren't you cutting it a bit fine?

I'm hoping my son will hang on to wait for his dad to get back. My mum says I was two weeks late so I'm hoping he'll be a slow coach like me. My wife Emma has been wonderful and she understands this is something I need to do.

Question 8 - You're a veteran of extreme sports and challenges. Why do you do it?

Because challenges are there to be conquered - just like cancer. And I'm proud to do it for AICR which I believe is such a worthwhile charity. I know lots of people have been sponsoring me and I just want to say to them I will be doing my very best not to let them down.

The Association for International Cancer Research funds projects all over the world. A donation from you, today, will contribute to further research into conquering cancer.

The Donations page allows you to do this online, in one of several ways to suit you.

Make a Donation >>