About

Mike Wardle, the Centre Director of Shadwell Basin outdoor Activity Centre is running the first Zagros Mountain Marathon in the Kurdistan Region of Northern Iraq. The course starts in the rugged Zagros Mountains and makes it way 26 miles to the finish line in the town of Sulaymaniyah. Mike has a target of £2,000 for this fundraising challenge on Friday March 27th 2026. This is to help raise funds for the charity 'Shadwell Basin Outdoor Activity Centre' Youth Project which subsides places for young people between 80 - 100%. The charity delivers the out of school activities of kayaking, canoeing, climbing, high ropes, rowing, sailing, mountain biking and stand up paddleboarding. The youth programmes use the activities as a vehicle to develop young people targeting youth from poorer economic backgrounds and young people with disabilities mainly from Tower Hamlets. The Centre also has the Duke of Edinburgh Award and includes skills of communication and teamwork. The charity has a leadership programme and a pathway to employment in coaching. Please help to subsidise these valuable programmes.