Great Wall of China

In May 2024 mark went to Beijing, China to take part in the – Conquer the Wall Marathon race where he managed to come an impressive 5th out of 28th participants. The race takes place across the Gubeikou and the Jinshanling sections of the Great Wall covering both older unrestored and newly restored sections of the wall.

When the Great Wall of China was constructed, the designers intentionally varied the height of the steps to upset any running charge by invaders. It’s a design strategy which has also upset the runners from around the world who try to conquer the wall each year.

The course has 20,518 countable steps along the length of the race. Climbing up and over the many towers the steps will vary in height from 5 inches to 24 inches!

In the past mark has taken part in many events that have pushed him to his limits but this will be a challenge and an experience of a lifetime.

Mark took this opportunity to raise funds for two charities that are very close to us all as a family.

Once I have completed this challenge I will split 50 50 all monies raised between the two charities CRY Cardiac Risk in the Young and Williams Gift.

Williams Gift is a charity set up by by Marks Nephews family after he passed away on the 11th December 2019 aged 6 years old.

William was born with a very rare disease which affected his entire bowel. (Total Intestinal Aganglionosis). The idea to provide care packages to children and their families in hospital with bowel and TPN related conditions and was born out of our own experiences.

William was known for his beautiful smile and this charity aims to cheer up other children in hospital with a ‘little box of smiles’. Also our own memorial fundraising in my sons name Adam Cooper.

In total Mark raised £2000 and we have split this between the two charities less the cost that just giving take to cover their admin etc