UK wildlife photographer to run Everest marathon in TIGER suit after gruelling ten-day trek

A British wildlife photographer will run the Everest marathon this Sunday (29 May) in a TIGER suit – but only after a gruelling ten-day trek.

Wimbledon-based conservationist Paul Goldstein, 59, has already run an amazing nineteen charity marathons in the distinctive outfit.

For what he says is his final run, Paul has chosen what is considered to be one of the highest and toughest races in the world; with a starting point at 17,598ft (5,364m) above the sea level.

His journey through Nepal this week has so far been punishing, especially with the effects of acclimatising to the high altitude.

After an overnight stop at 16,240ft (4,950m) at the Nepalese mountain Lobuche, Paul commented: “A night of all the typical unpleasant accoutrements associated with sleeping high up in the Himalaya: headaches, nausea and the joys of hideous altitude-induced nightmares.”

The wildlife guide has unsurprisingly drawn disbelief from those he is passing on his trek, on which he has experienced wind and snow mixed with minus temperatures.

“Hundreds of people continue to look aghast at the suit, utterly disbelieving of its journey's end. Not sure I believe it either,” Paul noted on day six of the walk. “On days like this you just have to dig deep and let your mind drift, as your breath rasps in the thin air.”

TV presenter and campaigner Chris Packham has expressed support for his friend on the unique charity mission.

He explains: “Why on Earth would a man in his late-fifties be wanting to do this? Well, because during the course of his marathon running life, he's raised thousands and thousands of pounds for tiger conservation."

Paul Goldstein will be raising funds for the Worth More Alive charity. He says: “My friend Chris Packham knows what this has taken from me, but he also has the burning passion and desire to see this species removed from the endangered list - a Herculean task.

“When I struggle on the mountain, I will think of those baby cubs I saw recently, the first time in 23 years I have seen them this young, but also, I will think of the ones slaughtered for the depraved nonsense of 'traditional' medicine.

“So many people have been so generous and I have no intention of letting any of them down. Many have doubted my sanity, Chris Packham has not, he understands, but then again, he has never shied away from a struggle and I salute him for this.

“I'm in my late fifties, running a marathon, at 17,500 feet, in a nine-foot-tall tiger suit: What could go wrong?"