Mongol Derby for Mental Health Ireland
Donation protected
The Mongol Derby isn’t called the toughest horse race in the world for no reason. 1000km of Mongolian steppe on semi-wild horses, living among the herders, changing steed every 40km, with navigation and survival dependent on your own wits and skill. It’s you and your horse vs the wild.
From 5th to 15th August 2020 I will be competing in the world's longest horse race, the Mongol Derby. Over 40 riders will navigate the terrain of Mongolia, mimicking the postal system of Genghis Khan, using GPS, maps and our wits. There’s no marked course, no packed lunches, no beds to sleep in. That’s the whole point. It’s just you, your team of horses and a thousand kilometres of Mongolian wilderness. I will be changing horses every 30-40km, horses that are owned by the nomadic herders, and I will stay with them each night, providing I can make it to them on time. How you navigate between stations is where the adventure begins – high passes, huge valleys, wooded hills, river crossings, wetland, dunes and of course open steppe.
Riders are allowed to race from approx. 6:30am to 8:30pm and will carry 5kg of kit in saddle bags and are allowed 85kg rider weight. Even though it is an adventure, there will be lots of support. The nomadic families lend us their horses, medics hiding in the wings ready to swoop in and stick us back together (mostly with duct tape), 4x4’s flying across the steppe capturing all of the crazy moments for social media and 24hr satellite trackers strapped to each rider to make sure we don’t stray too far off the path.
Most of you are probably thinking that I am bit mad, and you're right. But then again, all the best people are!
I love adventure, I love different cultures and most of all I love horses. The Mongol Derby is one of the biggest challenges that I will ever get to compete in and I am looking forward to the thrill and the pain. Of the 40 riders, only half finish through a mixture of skill, training and luck – the first of which I have, another I am in prep for, and the last...well I'm Irish, that has to count for something, right?
Another reason I am doing the race is to prove to myself that I can. I struggle with anxiety and self-confidence, and while mental health awareness has come a long way I still think people should be able to talk more openly about the difficulties they face. Some form of mental health issues affects nearly everyone, be it in small or big ways, and I am happy to be riding in aid of Mental Health Ireland to help raise awareness to the struggles that we all face on a daily basis.
The aim of this fund is to help me along the way and get the necessary equipment for this challenge and adventure. As you can imagine for such an epic adventure, the Mongol Derby is not cheap. The entry fee of €12,000 will cover all costs once I arrive in Mongolia, including the use of horses, tack, food, pre-race training and a tracking device so you can follow me from the comfort of your sitting room. It also goes toward the race crew, medics, and the local Mongolians who are so kindly allowing us to use their horses. It does not include flights to and from Mongolia, equipment I’ll need to purchase for the adventure, visas, travel insurance, etc. The funds raised will help me get to the start line but will mostly go to my charity, Mental Health Ireland.
So, for all these many good reasons, I will be absolutely indebted to you if you can contribute to my cause.
From 5th to 15th August 2020 I will be competing in the world's longest horse race, the Mongol Derby. Over 40 riders will navigate the terrain of Mongolia, mimicking the postal system of Genghis Khan, using GPS, maps and our wits. There’s no marked course, no packed lunches, no beds to sleep in. That’s the whole point. It’s just you, your team of horses and a thousand kilometres of Mongolian wilderness. I will be changing horses every 30-40km, horses that are owned by the nomadic herders, and I will stay with them each night, providing I can make it to them on time. How you navigate between stations is where the adventure begins – high passes, huge valleys, wooded hills, river crossings, wetland, dunes and of course open steppe.
Riders are allowed to race from approx. 6:30am to 8:30pm and will carry 5kg of kit in saddle bags and are allowed 85kg rider weight. Even though it is an adventure, there will be lots of support. The nomadic families lend us their horses, medics hiding in the wings ready to swoop in and stick us back together (mostly with duct tape), 4x4’s flying across the steppe capturing all of the crazy moments for social media and 24hr satellite trackers strapped to each rider to make sure we don’t stray too far off the path.
Most of you are probably thinking that I am bit mad, and you're right. But then again, all the best people are!
I love adventure, I love different cultures and most of all I love horses. The Mongol Derby is one of the biggest challenges that I will ever get to compete in and I am looking forward to the thrill and the pain. Of the 40 riders, only half finish through a mixture of skill, training and luck – the first of which I have, another I am in prep for, and the last...well I'm Irish, that has to count for something, right?
Another reason I am doing the race is to prove to myself that I can. I struggle with anxiety and self-confidence, and while mental health awareness has come a long way I still think people should be able to talk more openly about the difficulties they face. Some form of mental health issues affects nearly everyone, be it in small or big ways, and I am happy to be riding in aid of Mental Health Ireland to help raise awareness to the struggles that we all face on a daily basis.
The aim of this fund is to help me along the way and get the necessary equipment for this challenge and adventure. As you can imagine for such an epic adventure, the Mongol Derby is not cheap. The entry fee of €12,000 will cover all costs once I arrive in Mongolia, including the use of horses, tack, food, pre-race training and a tracking device so you can follow me from the comfort of your sitting room. It also goes toward the race crew, medics, and the local Mongolians who are so kindly allowing us to use their horses. It does not include flights to and from Mongolia, equipment I’ll need to purchase for the adventure, visas, travel insurance, etc. The funds raised will help me get to the start line but will mostly go to my charity, Mental Health Ireland.
So, for all these many good reasons, I will be absolutely indebted to you if you can contribute to my cause.
Organizer
Hannah Marks
Organizer
County Dublin
