Sponsorship - Great Silk Run

[Smiley]

Ok folks, getting close, just 10 days time until I embark on a run, walk, hike, crawl, hop, skip and jump across Tajikistan in Central Asia. Approximately 7 marathons in 7 days, at high altitude (!!!), with 30 other folk from 6 different nations. Starting right on the Afghanistan border and meandering our way along the Bartang Valley to Lake Karakul at over 14,000 feet (that’s half Everest, 3-4 Snowdon’s) right on the edge of the Chinese border.

We’ll be either camping out in the ice cold great outdoors or staying with locals in ramshackle houses (think hut, no heating, cold stone floor).

Training has been touch. Injuries have been a plenty. I’m back off to the MIHP in Manchester today for my 5th altitude chamber session (will be at 3,700 metres today).

It’s not all bad, I’ve got 24 hours in Istanbul at the start of the trip, and then 6/7 nights in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, sightseeing, trekking around canyons, waterfalls, lakes, staying in yurts, etc.

Legs WILL drop off.

Wish me luck, or simply donate to a worthwhile cause in War Child.

Ta.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ndj72

 

[Tonge moor green jacket]

You must be mad! 😁

Best of luck with it all.

[gonzo]

That's some challenge, jesus christ.

Fair play big man 👏

[Winchester White]

That is fucking bonkers tackle, fair play.

Will ping a donation over now.

[L/H White]

54 minutes ago, Smiley said:

Ok folks, getting close, just 10 days time until I embark on a run, walk, hike, crawl, hop, skip and jump across Tajikistan in Central Asia. Approximately 7 marathons in 7 days, at high altitude (!!!), with 30 other folk from 6 different nations. Starting right on the Afghanistan border and meandering our way along the Bartang Valley to Lake Karakul at over 14,000 feet (that’s half Everest, 3-4 Snowdon’s) right on the edge of the Chinese border.

We’ll be either camping out in the ice cold great outdoors or staying with locals in ramshackle houses (think hut, no heating, cold stone floor).

Training has been touch. Injuries have been a plenty. I’m back off to the MIHP in Manchester today for my 5th altitude chamber session (will be at 3,700 metres today).

It’s not all bad, I’ve got 24 hours in Istanbul at the start of the trip, and then 6/7 nights in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, sightseeing, trekking around canyons, waterfalls, lakes, staying in yurts, etc.

Legs WILL drop off.

Wish me luck, or simply donate to a worthwhile cause in War Child.

Ta.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ndj72

 

All the best mate. Eat your body weight and some 

Edited May 2, 2025 by L/H White

[thebells]

3 hours ago, Smiley said:

Ok folks, getting close, just 10 days time until I embark on a run, walk, hike, crawl, hop, skip and jump across Tajikistan in Central Asia. Approximately 7 marathons in 7 days, at high altitude (!!!), with 30 other folk from 6 different nations. Starting right on the Afghanistan border and meandering our way along the Bartang Valley to Lake Karakul at over 14,000 feet (that’s half Everest, 3-4 Snowdon’s) right on the edge of the Chinese border.

We’ll be either camping out in the ice cold great outdoors or staying with locals in ramshackle houses (think hut, no heating, cold stone floor).

Training has been touch. Injuries have been a plenty. I’m back off to the MIHP in Manchester today for my 5th altitude chamber session (will be at 3,700 metres today).

It’s not all bad, I’ve got 24 hours in Istanbul at the start of the trip, and then 6/7 nights in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, sightseeing, trekking around canyons, waterfalls, lakes, staying in yurts, etc.

Legs WILL drop off.

Wish me luck, or simply donate to a worthwhile cause in War Child.

Ta.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/ndj72

 

Let us know what it's like. I 'almost' signed up for this, but tempted if they run it again next year. Is it with the Run Wild crew?

[Zico]

5 hours ago, Smiley said:

Wish me luck, or simply donate to a worthwhile cause in War Child.

good luck

[mickbrown]

Mentalist. 
 

Sounds ace. 

[London Wanderer]

I’ve heard it’s a stunning country. Friendly as well.

 You’ll be suffering too much to enjoy it 😂

 All the best with it

[little whitt]

RIP 

SMILEY 

[Adlington Trotter]

I've watched loads of travel bloggers videos on YouTube about that part of the world. Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan all looks fascinating. Turkmenistan looks bizarre.

Definitely plan on visiting at some point. Minus the running obviously.

Best of luck.

[Smiley]

Was an epic trip. A few random curveballs got thrown into the mix. 
Mainly when I fell down a well after day 1 of the run. Spent the next 2 days, strapped up, fine tuning some serious power walking with poles - faster than quite a few of the runners! Back running on day 4 and chasing around after folk 25 years younger than me. 
Tajikistan is a stunning place - the people very friendly. No orange jump suits or AK’s. 
Post run trip around Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan didn’t disappoint either. Quite simply stunning mountain, alpine scenery. Amazing canyons and lakes. 
Had 36 hours in Almaty at the end - actually found it to be a tip-top city - enough to keep me occupied. 
Great part of the world - never been on my radar before. 
Not forgetting a great 24 hours in Istanbul at the start. Found it to be a top city - may return. 
 

Lastly, huge thanks to anyone and everyone who donated. Reached the £2k mark yesterday. Will keep the donations open for now. Such a great cause. 

[Smiley]

[Smiley]

[MancWanderer]

Superb photos. Missed this first time round. Will send a donation

[thebells]

Epic. Very jealous. Well done! 

[BobyBrno]

Brilliant. Well done N. 👍

[royal white]

Great effort mate 🏃🏻‍♂️💨

[London Wanderer]

Excellent photos

 & fundraising effort, donation in

[Traf]

No pics of you shitting yourself?

[Sweep]

8 minutes ago, Traf said:

No pics of you shitting yourself?

They're posted on his Only Fans site

[Tonge moor green jacket]

Quality that. 

[Traf]

18 hours ago, Sweep said:

They're posted on his Only Fans site

 

11 hours ago, Tonge moor green jacket said:

Quality that. 

Ah, you're his subscriber?

[kent_white]

Wow - what an amazing trip (and feat)! 

How were the locals? That's always the main thing for me. 

I'll donate! 👍

[Smiley]

On 31/05/2025 at 12:04, kent_white said:

Wow - what an amazing trip (and feat)! 

How were the locals? That's always the main thing for me. 

I'll donate! 👍

Locals were amazing. Very friendly. More so in Tajikistan out of the 3 countries I visited.

Would highly recommend a trip around these parts. Flights with Pegasus/Turkish via Istanbul or with Pegasus from Almaty via Antalya. Homestays, yurts, etc all very doable and decent. Kyrgyzstan is really spending big on infrastructure with roads and accommodation, expecting an influx of tourists over the coming 3-4 years. They are calling it the Cental Asian Switzerland and you can tell why, some lush greenery with alpine peaks and turquoise mountain lakes and rivers.