Chris Jackson has completed the Everest as the second British competitor over the finish line, the 11th International Male and 56th overall. He achieved all this as one of the youngest runners to take part, an incredible demonstration of his determination to succeed and to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. Congratulations Chris!
His training in Nepal started on May 19th and the first 5K was a real struggle, but he ploughed on for the next few days, reaching higher altitudes and acclimatising to the terrain, which was brutal, feeling supported by the camaraderie of the other runners and the donations that continued to come in. After a day of rest he reached 5190m and encountered some new friends.
On May 27th the team headed for base camp where they spent two days in camp on a glacier preparing for the start, which would be across the ice. When the day itself came we all lost touch with Chris as he focussed on the job in hand, trying to ignore the avalanches rumbling in the distance.
Thanks to technology his family received the good news that he had reached the finish line safely, despite the unexpected 600m ascent in the final 7km. It’s worth noting that he also beat the first Canadian by a whole hour… We have a new true champion of Walberswick and locals can welcome him back to the village on his return in the summer, and don’t forget, you can still donate to congratulate him, he's so nearly at his target! Click here
On completion he was invited to the British Embassy in Katmandu.