First blind man runs Everest marathon

Updated 12.02 Mon Jun 04 2007
Keywords: marathon, Everest, Mark Pollock

A blind Irishman has become the first visually-challenged person to run the Tenzing-Hillary Everest Marathon.

Mark Pollock, 31, who ran with his helper John O'Regan, completed the course in 16 hours, 27 minutes and 30 seconds.

The marathon starts from the peak's base camp at 5,364 metres altitude and finishes at Namch Bazar at 3,440 metres altitude.

Mr Pollock said the race was an adventure, a challenge and a test of himself and his team.

He said: "Every single minute of the race was difficult, the entire course was covered in boulders, rocks and it was very difficult to stay on our feet, never mind complete the marathon."

The marathon is held to commemorate the historical ascent of Mount Everest by Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary on May 29, 1953.

It starts from the peak's base camp at 5,364 metres (3.3 miles) altitude and finishes at Namch Bazar at 3,440 metres (2.1 miles) altitude.

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