Chris Jackson, son of Walberswick residents Nikki and Clive, is studying Biomedical Science at Bath University and is currently on placement at The Altitude Centre in London. The Altitude Centre provides training that simulates altitude in preparation for high altitude expeditions and sports performance. This training could come in very handy for Chris, who is aiming to take on the ridiculously daunting challenge of the annual Everest Marathon.
The Everest Marathon is an event held in May on the date Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first reached the summit in 1953. It starts at an altitude of 5365m and is considered to be one of the highest and toughest races in the world. The race starts at base camp and moves through the high sherpa trails of Khumbu valley. There are 3 races, ultra (60k), full (42k) and half (21k). Chris will be undertaking the full marathon.
Chris has always been a keen sportsman and many of you will have seen him fizzing along the Suffolk roads on his bike at what seems to be 70mph, often with his father in tow. He has been very successful - racing for Strada Sport, winning the green jersey in the Junior Tour of Ireland, but this challenge will need a different kind of stamina.
Sadly Chris lost a friend at the heart of his cycling team to pancreatic cancer and he is dedicating his endeavour to raising funds for Cancer research. Survival rates for pancreatic cancer remain stubbornly low in the UK, often because the disease is diagnosed late and is difficult to treat. Chris aims to help Cancer Research UK make progress in one of the biggest research challenges its scientists are facing – to find better ways to detect and treat the disease.
He is self funding the expedition so every penny he raises will go to support the charity. You can donate direct, on his behalf here: https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/chris-jackson-everest-marathon
We will bring you updates on Chris’s training and progress, as well as sharing news from the event itself, in May.