Lancaster runner rises to Everest stairs challenge during coronavirus lockdown

Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Rowan Wood, 38, from Galgate, said: “I’m a fell runner on the hills and I’m also self employed so with the current situation I’ve not been able to get out to the fells.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think and I thought ‘I wonder how many flights of stairs that would be to climb Everest, It sounds a bit crazy.

“I did the equivalent of Scafell Pike and it felt alright so I thought why not Everest?

Rowan Wood is doing a challenge during coronavirus lockdown of climbing his stairs 3782 times, the equivalent of climbing Everest, to raise money for Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

“I was due to go to La Palma to do an ultra marathon but that has been cancelled but I have been training for long distance endurance stuff anyway.

“After the first attempt my calves were in bits but I’ll get used to it and hopefully get it done.

“It will be starting at 7am on Sunday and I’m just sorting out the live stream so I can post a link to my page.

“I’ll set up a justgiving page for Rosemere Cancer Foundation as well before Sunday.

“My wife Lucy will be here feeding and watering me but she will stay out of my way.

“I’ve got a dog and the other times I’ve done it the dog just stares at me whilst laid on the sofa, almost saying ‘what are you doing?’

“People have been saying to me, ‘you are going to wear your carpet out’ but The Carpetman has offered to replace my stair carpet for free after he gets back to business. That is very kind of him.

“When I came up with the idea and put it on Facebook, my post it has been shared dozens of times.

“I really can’t say how much money I will raise, just as much as possible.

“I know a few people who have been or are being treated by Rosemere and at the current time any medical charity will be stretched to the max with the coronavirus.

“They are doing a fantastic job and it’s not like I have anything better to do!”.

On Rowan Wood’s Facebook page, Paul Yates has posted: “When your “A” race, an off-road hilly ultra is cancelled due to the lockdown, naturally you decide to scale Everest using your stairs. Ridiculous, good luck Rowan!”

Visit Rowan Wood sports therapist at self employed on Facebook and watch the challenge or donate from 7am on Sunday, April 5.

Rowan's Facebook stream of his challenge can be found in two parts on his page.

The first part is at https://www.facebook.com/rowan.wood.50/videos/10163189581620721/ and the second part is at https://www.facebook.com/rowan.wood.50/videos/10163189472140721/.

To donate visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/rowanwood81.