On September 7, I had the privilege of participating in the AJ Bell Great North Run, a half marathon (21 km) held in Newcastle, England. It was an unforgettable experience, not just because of the challenge, but because I was running to raise awareness and funds for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) through PKD Charity UK, an organization close to my heart. As a sister charity to the PKD Foundation of Canada, PKD UK has been an incredible support, motivating a team of us to run for this important cause.

Participating in the Great North Run was also an essential part of my preparation for my upcoming climb of Mount Kilimanjaro this October. With the big climb just around the corner, this race felt like a major milestone in my training. I knew it would test not just my physical endurance, but also my mental toughness - qualities I’ll need in spades when tackling the "Roof of Africa."

Road to the Great North Run

The decision to run a half marathon while training for Kilimanjaro wasn't just about checking off another fitness goal. I’ve been training for months to get ready for the mountain, and I wanted to push myself further while also giving back. The Great North Run was the perfect opportunity to do both. The 21-kilometre race requires a high level of stamina, similar to what I’ll need for the nine days of hiking and camping on Kilimanjaro. The run gave me a chance to focus on building leg strength and cardiovascular endurance, two key areas that will make or break my success on the mountain.

Heading into the race, I had set myself a goal: complete the run in under two hours. It wasn’t going to be easy, but I was determined to give it everything I had. The idea of pushing myself in a race, knowing that I was running for PKD patients and in support of the work PKD UK does, kept me going through all the training runs and the inevitable aches and pains that come with preparing for an event like this.

Race Day: A New Milestone

Race day was nothing short of exhilarating. The atmosphere in Newcastle was electric, with thousands of runners all focused on their personal goals and causes. The support from the crowd was incredible, and knowing that PKD UK was behind us with encouragement and fundraising support gave me an extra boost.

When the starting gun went off, I settled into my pace and reminded myself of why I was there. It wasn’t just for me or my training - it was for the PKD community. Thinking of the challenges PKD patients face daily, from managing symptoms to enduring dialysis and transplants, helped me push through the moments of fatigue.

I am incredibly pleased to share that I was able to cross the finish line with a time of 1 hour and 52 minutes - well under my goal of two hours! The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming. Not only did I achieve my goal, but I also helped raise awareness and funds for PKD research and patient support. It was a win in every sense of the word.

Turning My Focus to Kili

Now that the Great North Run is behind me, my focus shifts to the final leg of my Kilimanjaro training. Running the half marathon has done wonders for my stamina, but the next phase involves a different kind of preparation. Climbing Kilimanjaro is not a race, and the terrain is far from flat. My training will now revolve around hiking and building strength in my legs to handle steep inclines and varying altitudes.

In the coming weeks, I’ll be focusing on elevation training, getting used to the kind of physical and mental strain that comes with hiking at high altitudes. I’ve already started hiking in more challenging weather conditions, camping when possible, and getting used to carrying a full pack - similar to what I’ll be doing on Kilimanjaro. It’s all about simulating what the real climb will be like, so that I’m as ready as possible when the time comes.

With less than a month to go, I’m filled with excitement and anticipation. This has been a journey full of ups and downs, both literally and figuratively, but every step has brought me closer to realizing my goal of standing on the summit of Kilimanjaro. And, more importantly, it’s brought me closer to raising awareness for PKD - a cause that affects so many people around the world, including my own family.

Climbing for a Cause

This journey has never been just about personal achievement. It’s about raising awareness and making a difference in the lives of PKD patients. Climbing Kilimanjaro and running the Great North Run are small challenges in comparison to what PKD patients face every day. I’m doing this for them. Every step I take up that mountain will be in honour of the people who live with this disease every day, and in memory of those we’ve lost to PKD.

As I continue my preparation for Kilimanjaro, I’m also continuing to raise funds and awareness for the PKD Foundation of Canada. This journey is about more than just climbing a mountain or running a race - it’s about making a difference. If you’d like to support the cause, you can visit my Peaks for PKD fundraising page, or reach out to the PKD Foundation of Canada.

Final Thoughts

Completing the Great North Run was a huge milestone in my preparation for Kilimanjaro, but it’s just one step in a much larger journey. With each race, hike, and training session, I’m reminded of why I’m doing this, and the people I’m doing it for. As the countdown to Kilimanjaro continues, I feel more ready than ever to take on the challenge. The summit may be the ultimate goal, but the true purpose of this journey is raising awareness and supporting the PKD community.

Stay tuned for more updates as I continue my preparations, and thank you to everyone who has supported me so far. Together, we can make a difference for those affected by PKD.

Eric Hampel

Yes, I want to help Eric help END PKD!

More

• Browse our Peaks for PKD blog to read more about Eric's journey to Kilimanjaro
• Read a news story that Eric is holding in his hand in one of the photos above, about how Eric's mother received a kidney from her "sister friend," Sue Ward
• Learn more about polycystic kidney disease from our blog, "33 Things To Know About PKD"