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Coincidences?!

23 messages :: read>

Yesterday the Hillary-Tenzing Everest Marathon left Everest Base Camp at 7am heading toward Namche. One hundred and fifty (100 Nepalis and 50 from overseas) brave (mad) runners raced off at break-neck speed over the very uneven surface of the Khumbu glacier?..it was quite a spectacle! Most of the overseas runners expect to take about twice the time they would for a normal marathon however the winning time is apparently around the 3 and a half hour mark ? by a Nepali of course.

In the midst of all of this I got wind of a blind Irish runner taking part. On further investigation I found out that the runner, Mark Pollock, was in fact from Holywood, County Down and after playing a short game of ?Knowathon? we discovered that he went to school with two people with whom I studied medicine ? more coincidences. He was being guided on the run by a friend from Dublin called John O?Regan. The method of guidance they were using, other than voice warnings, was two horizontal poles connected between John?s wrists and the top of Mark?s trekking poles. They are raising money for guide dogs so if you feel inclined why not visit Mark Pollocks webpage on the Guide Dogs for the Blind Association website and pledge some money.

On a personal note, I am still recuperating from the climb ? whilst the legs and lungs are feeling a bit better I still have a very sore throat and slight cough. I?m hoping for resolution soon. We have had our muscle biopsies already and we start our final testing tomorrow ? the end of the testing can?t come soon enough for all of us but we need to complete it for the previous tests to be relevant.

Comments on this article

By: Dave Hanna	When: 9th Oct 2007 22:35
Oh my god thats Nigel Hart on the TV, I went to school with him ! You havn't changed much, I couldnt believe it. I missed the second programme just as it was getting exciting. Well done man, I made it up the Nose of El Cap but you topped me ! Cheers Dave

By: Allen Erskine

When: 30th Sep 2007 22:01

Wow...Nigel Hart...that's Nigel Hart. Here we are watching telly and there's some N.Irish bloke being interviewed. "Isn't that Nigel Hart" says Dot. "Could be" says I. A quick Goggle and here I am reading blogs from the man himself.

Seems a long time since we were canoeing down the Bann. If anyone would climb Everest it would be you!! Well done that man.

By: Simon Colgan	When: 14th Jul 2007 22:18
Well done Nigel, it has been a while since we were in our GP reg group together but I saw the BBC online article and the QUB award you won. You are really putting us all to shame!! Take care

By: Kieran

When: 16th Jun 2007 11:43

Nigel
looking forward to your home coming! Once again well done and hope you recover quickly. The only thing is ... what will we put on the dept website now?!
I'll have to put that Hilary-Tenzing Evereest Marathon on my list of things to do!!

Kieran

By: Patrick Hart

When: 12th Jun 2007 17:13

Dad,

Hope you are well. Three days to go, and counting.............., still knackered from sports day, we did a shuttle run course on Monday. Made me even for tired. Went to bed at about 8:30 for I was so tired. Can't wait for your return to Belfast, and Michael K wants a signed picture. I told him it was ?2.50, and an extra 50p for a frame!! Is this possible?! Everyone is getting really excited about your return home, amd I am starting to get really frustrated because there is so much fog there are no flights for ages.

Well, love you and see you on Friday,

Patrick

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

By: Joan Loagn

When: 7th Jun 2007 23:24

Nigel, hope you are well and really looking forward to seeing you soon. Patrick and I went out for "11+" on Tue night. Some great chat from your eldest -you have so many reasons to be proud of him. Have enjoyed so much good time with Cus, P,S and C while you have been away, but can't wait til it is the full Hart unit back across the road.
Wee logans all well and your God daughter is looking forward to sorting you out. I will have to ask her if you are on her birthday party list! Most days iget struck off the list!!
Lots and lots of love,
Joanie.

By: Christa	When: 7th Jun 2007 22:37
Wow Nigel, A marathon on Everest?? That sounds like something you would be into. :) I was reading your blogs and looking at the pictures...You are truely amazing. Congratulationson that amazing achievement. You need to come visit and we can run in a normal marathon together. :) Take care. Love You!!!

By: Richard Weller	When: 7th Jun 2007 08:27
Nigel, have just discovered this web site. Well done. Fantastic to hear that you and Roger got up. Even better that you are both down in one piece. many congratulations to you both Richard

By: Sharon Cox

When: 6th Jun 2007 17:44

Sports Day well and truly over......you can come home now.....what lengths some people will go to to avoid the Dads race.......

Great to see your smiling face greeting us in newspapers everywhere!!
Looking forward to seeing you in the flesh,
Sharon & co

By: Brian McClure

When: 5th Jun 2007 00:17

Nigel

Well done that man - fantastic achievement. Hope you recover soon.

However, your picture on the cover of the South Belfast Post nearly made me choke on my Frosties.They could have printed a warning.

Regards, Brian

By: Mum & Dad

When: 4th Jun 2007 19:53

Hi Nigel,

Belated 'Harty' congratulations on your successful summit climb. Sorry it's a bit late, but only worked out how to send this email! Looking forward to you coming home - hope you are all in one piece!

Lots and lots and lots of love.

Mum and Dad

By: Drew	When: 4th Jun 2007 09:54
Good to hear you are well .Refresher course on sea level medicine available at Dunluce

By: Patrick Hart

When: 4th Jun 2007 09:15

Still counting the days until your return. 13, or 12 if yopu manage to get home early. Sorry, mum already told me. So, maybe you might try the marathon some day. You would probably have to train forever!!

Love Patrick

By: Davus Kate J S and A	When: 3rd Jun 2007 21:13
Hi Nigel Just had a great afternoon with Caroline Patrick Sophia and Connor (Who beat me at air hockey so a rematch will be needed soon) Hope your trek out from base camp goes well and your throat improves further as you loose altitude. Davus

By: Gary Bradley

When: 2nd Jun 2007 14:21

hi Nigel,

Really glad to see you starting to recover - although that 'Nigel exhausted after summiting' photo is a bit scary (ah well, I look like that all the time!). From the your blogs and posts, your exploits are making our worlds here shrink a bit - no bad thing - keeps us all grounded. Stay well. Love from Gary, Sheena, Jess, Cal and Cara

By: Ken and Kim

When: 1st Jun 2007 18:45

IIts great to know you getting stronger each day ,and it will not be long before you are home,looking forword to seeing you.
Kim called with Caroline and the children last night and Patrick is counting the days until your return.

Ken Kim Leah and Aaron

By: Gareth Morgan	When: 1st Jun 2007 16:13
Hi Nigel, Well done on your climb. Thought about you today as I was walkiing up some stairs. See you soon. Gareth

By: Carollne

When: 1st Jun 2007 13:38

Heading off to the Mournes to climb some 'hills'. Wonder will any of my Duke of Ed pupils end up taking the moutaineering as far as you???

Love and miss you......
Caroline Patrick Sophia and Connor

By: Gareth Harry	When: 1st Jun 2007 12:14
Hi Nigel Good to see you are back at base camp Nigel. Sorry to hear you still have a sore throat though, nothing a wee dram of Busmills down the Chelsea won't cure!!! Anyway whats next for the Marlborough Climbing Club (oh by the way, you have been made lead climber) any chance you could organise a gentle walk up Slieve Donard?

By: Hilary	When: 1st Jun 2007 11:56
Your photos were brilliant to receive Nigel and we have proudly shared you with lots of folk here in NZ. The Book Club flag of course received great approval!! Hope your sore throat continues to improve and the final few weeks are successful. Thinking of you lots, Hilary + David

By: Finbar	When: 1st Jun 2007 11:28
Recover quick Nigel. Well Done- You are a local legand in Crossgar already- and they haven't met you yet. Do you plan to sport the beard back home?

By: Susan Flynn	When: 1st Jun 2007 11:14
Hearty Congratulations to you and your team Nigel. We are delighted for you and share enormous pride in your achievement. Hurry home and get that bread machine going! Susan :)