Chris Jackson runs 'The Most Dangerous Marathon In The World' to highlight the humanitarian crisis in The Congo
Last updated 8/4/2010 11:33:11 AM
Chris Jackson runs The Most Dangerous Marathon In The World to highlight the humanitarian crisis in The Congo
He is about to embark on a huge challenge – running what's been dubbed ‘The Most Dangerous Marathon in the World', amid the conflict of The Democratic Republic of Congo.
On August 18 Chris Jackson will set out on his inspiring run in the eastern provinces of DRC - the first time that this has been attempted.
It's part of Chris's bid to run twelve marathons in twelve's months to raise awareness of the humanitarian crisis in the eastern provinces of DRC. He says he wants to highlight the brutality of the conflict, where rape is used as a weapon of war, 5.4 million have died and millions have lost their homes.
"Being the external optimist I'm hoping that this will be enough to help people understand what life is like in the Congo," Chris said. "It felt somewhat contradictory attempting to run 12 marathons in 12 months to raise awareness of the conflict in the DRC but not actually visiting the region myself during the course of this challenge. So I decided a few months back to head to the Congo this August and attempt to run a marathon there."
He explained: "My plan is to head to the DRC and not only run a marathon there, but embark on a harder challenge of communicating to the people of the UK the day to day struggle that people face in the Congo. To do this I am going to document my trip through short video clips and interviews of the people of the Congo so they can tell their story – 26 miles and 26 stories.
"I intend to begin my run from the border of the DRC and Rwanda, along Lake Kivu, through the refugee camps, to a number of projects supporting the victims of this crisis, past the UN barracks, up to the frontline of the conflict and through the villages that have been decimated by this conflict."
Chris will be accompanied by three friends, documentary photographer Fjona Hill, freelance writer Nicola York and running companion Dominic Goggins. So far he's completed marathons in cities including London, Gloucester and Edinburgh. By the end of 2010, he aims to have ran over 500 competitive miles.
It's an amazing achievement and to find out more go to http://runforcongo.wordpress.com
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