Join West Sussex dad’s epic 4,200-mile North Pole challenge for hospitals’ charity

Seth Wise has signed up for The FWD North Pole Marathon, but with the event postponed until 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic he has launched a marathon fundraising challenge a bit closer to home.

Seth, commercial partnerships director for the Goodwood Estate, said: “The North Pole may physically be out of reach in 2021, but we can certainly get there virtually.

“I can’t do it on my own and need the community’s help to cover the 4,200 miles which is the distance that separates the Goodwood Motor Circuit and the geographic North Pole.

“This starts now and will lead me up to April 13, the date I was due to run the North Pole Marathon.”

For this virtual challenge, Seth is calling on keen walkers, runners and cyclists to help clock up the miles and the pounds to support his Arctic endeavour.

The 38-year-old has pledged to cover 426.2 miles, and will finish by running a marathon around Goodwood Motor Circuit on April 13.

He said: “Cover whatever distance you can over the coming weeks, then you can make a donation to my JustGiving page and leave a message to log the number of miles you’ve covered or are pledging to.

“Every mile counts and every pound donated will make a difference to staff at our local hospital who have been so tested over the last year.”

Seth is raising money for Cancer Research UK, Ubuntu Pathways and Love Your Hospital, the dedicated charity of Worthing Hospital, Southlands Hospital in Shoreham and St Richard’s Hospital in Chichester.

Seth said: “I am lucky enough to be married to an NHS hero and have seen first-hand the challenges that staff can face on a daily basis.

“It’s driven me to want to inspire my local community to come together and raise funds for Love Your Hospital, and raise wider awareness of how amazing the NHS is as an organisation.”

No stranger to extreme challenges, Seth has completed an Ironman Triathlon and pounded his way through 27 marathons to date – with a personal best of three hours and 12 minutes.

David Clayton-Evans, head of charity for Love Your Hospital, said: “The challenge that Seth has set himself cannot be underestimated.

“This marathon takes place in one of the most remote areas on our planet and he is truly going above and beyond for staff as they do for our local community every day.

“We can’t thank him enough and we hope everyone will get behind him and play a part in helping Seth achieve this incredible feat of fundraising for St Richard’s Hospital.”

The North Pole Marathon, which first began in 2003, has seen 550 people from more than 50 nations complete the course.

Competitors are essentially running on a piece of floating ice on top of the Arctic Ocean which is constantly shifting.

Event organisers provide heated tents every 5km and draft in spotters to scan the horizon during the race in case of approaching polar bears.

To join Seth’s challenge or donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/the-collaborate-global-foundation

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