INTREPID Newport accountant Gary Parker is returning from the top of the world after finishing the gruelling Mount Everest Marathon - recognised as one of the harshest of its kind.

Gary, aged 60, is managing director of Parker & Co Accountants, based at Waterside Court, Crindau, Newport.

Gary, who has lead global climbing expeditions and taken part in some of the toughest endurance and extreme challenges in the world, said: “There is simply no marathon on earth like the Mount Everest Marathon, which took place on May 29 starting from Everest Base Camp at 5,400 metres above sea level, temperature a mere -25 Celsius.”

The event is held in Nepal on the same day every year to commemorate the first ascent of Mount Everest on the same date in 1953.

Mountaineer and extreme swimmer Gary, who has led expeditions to Everest and the world’s tallest peaks including Kilimanjaro, successfully swam the English Channel as part of a relay and more recently took part in the North Pole Marathon.

Gary, who lives in Risca, said: “It takes two weeks just to walk to the base camp and to acclimatise to the altitude, in cold and sometimes uncomfortable conditions.

“The race started at 7am from base camp just below Mount Everest with the temperature at -25 degrees. When the sun hit the runners it went to +20 degrees then more mist followed by snow and then rain. We really had it all.

“The first two kilometres were on a glacier and difficult, the descents were steep. You cannot run, especially when it’s wet. It was lethal."

There were some 150 runners from all over the world taking part in the event.

Gary said: "Amazingly there were only two injuries and one person had to be evacuated by helicopter. I was so flipping elated to finish, quite emotional really.

“The Parker & Co motto is 'adventure in business' and I try to put that into practice.

“Business is like an adventure. It's an idea, a risk; you need equipment, preparation, expertise and sometimes a guide. We like to think of ourselves as guides in business for out clients.

"You certainly learn something about yourself on events such as the Mt Everest Marathon - our clients learn a lot about themselves in business."