Triathlete Phil to take on Seven Summits challenge

Triathlete Phil to take on Seven Summits challenge

9 June 2021

A DOWNPATRICK man is taking part in the Cancer Focus Mourne Seven Summits challenge next weekend.

Triathlete Phil Martin (39) is volunteering to run across the seven summits in memory of people who have lost loved ones to the disease on June 19.

And kind-hearted Phil is planning to place names of deceased friends and family on banners that he will take to the top of all seven summits. 

“I know a lot of people take part in the Mourne Seven Summits challenge in honour of a lost loved one, but I also realise not everyone can physically complete the event as it’s pretty challenging,” he explained.

“My idea is that in exchange for a donation I would place the names of lost loved ones on banners that I would carry through the mountains with me.”

The triathlete revealed that, for him, the Mournes are “quite special”.

Phil continued: “I feel such a sense of enormity and freedom climbing in the mountains. It would be an absolute honour to carry the names of lost loved ones with me on this challenge and raise money to support local cancer patients.”

Phil’s journey will be recorded and live streamed so donors can travel with him on the challenge, with video footage and photographs taken of the banners temporarily in place at the top of the summits distributed to those who donated after the event.

Anyone who would like Phil to carry the name of someone close to them that they have lost to the top of the seven summits with him to get in touch via email pmartin161127@gmail.com before this Friday.