MP Owen Paterson and wife in world’s toughest race
Tuesday 14th June 2011, 6:51PM BST.
North Shropshire MP Owen Paterson is saddling up for one of his biggest challenges yet – the world’s toughest race in which he will ride horses 1,000km across the gruelling wilderness of the Mongolian steppe.
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and his wife, Rose, will saddle up in August for the Mongol Derby, traversing mountains, marshes, forests and deserts.
The will be riding semi-wild Mongolian horses, which are diminutive, fearless, and exceedingly tough, they are revered in Mongolian culture and have changed very little over the centuries.
The 10-day adventure, using only a GPS navigation aid to find their way, will begin several hours from Ulaanbaatar and will see the pair change horses every 40km at isolated settlements.
They will be allowed to carry only essential kit and clothes for the trip. And with the weather expected to vary from fierce sunshine to violent storms and freezing nights they are bracing themselves for an adventure of a lifetime.
The Patersons are trying to raise a total of £50,000 in support of three causes – The Royal Irish Regiment Benevolent Fund, The Midlands Centre for Spinal Injuries, and Mercy Corps Mongolia.
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Hats off to them both!
All this, and having to learn how to ride horses in the first place.
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The worlds toughest race compared to what? 100km a day on a horse is nothing compared to many foot races where distances far greater than that are covered! Take a look at deca-ironman, 24 mile swim, 1120 mile cycle, and a 262 mile run!
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