38 climbs in 38 hours for Everest challenge

August 28, 2019

38 climbs in 38 hours for Everest challenge

Connor McDowall said that he’s looking forward to 38 hours of non-stop exercise. Photo: Sarah Musuku

Thirteen young athletes are climbing Mount Maunganui 38 times in 38 hours to match the vertical height of Mount Everest and raise funds for spinal cord injury research.

They have chosen New Zealand’s beachside mountain for their challenge because it’s nearly 1/38th of the height of the world’s tallest mountain.

Team member and medical student William Cook was inspired to fundraise for spinal cord injury while working with patients.

“Spinal cord injury is a devastating diagnosis that often has long-term consequences for the patient and their family,” Mr Cook said.

“Many can barely understand that, unlike the rest of the body where many injuries are reversible, the spinal cord is very sensitive to trauma and currently cannot heal its own scar tissue,” he said.

Over one hundred people suffer from a spinal cord injury every year and men over 51 years of age are most commonly affected (73%) according to the New Zealand Spinal Trust.

The chosen charity is CatWalk Trust, an organisation dedicated to finding a cure for people with such injuries.

Chris Lovelady, a representative of CatWalk, said that the organisation was extremely grateful to the team for taking on this monumental feat.

“They are a crucial piece of the puzzle that enables us to fund the scientists who continue to work on the challenge of repairing the spinal cord,” Ms Lovelady said.

“We simply could not continue to work towards our vision of ‘a world free from spinal cord injury paralysis,’ if it was not for the supporters such as these young people."

Each of the athletes are completing their own training in preparation of the event, with one training for an ironman, another cycling and others incorporating longer runs in their weekly exercise routines.

Team member, Connor McDowall said he was mindful of the challenge ahead.

“I’m not going to lie, it’s pretty nerve-racking considering it’s the equivalent to climbing to the top of Mount Everest and back."

"But as long as we put in those small, intermediate steps required to work towards building our fitness, we should be able to overcome the challenge,” he said.

Following him will be team-mate Ben Madsen who said the largest challenge for the group will be the amount of time spent on the move during the climb.

“With the goal of completing this in 38 hours we will need to carry on throughout the night in order to accomplish it,” Mr Madsen said.

“No matter who or where the research is done, the money we raise will go towards helping people get back on their feet,” he said.

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