86-year-old cyclist to cycle height of Olympus Mon on Mars

Gerard McCarten, 86, will tackle the equivalent of cycling up Olympus Mons, the tallest mountain in our Universe, located on the planet Mars, raising funds for the West Cumbria Society for the Blind and Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

In a poignant tribute, the Whitehaven resident will cycle in loving memory of his wife, Margaret, who endured sight loss for more than 40 years and died on October 9, 2023, after a long fight with Bronchiectasis.

Mr McCarten said: “I’m a bit apprehensive about the size of the challenge. I’m doing twice as much each day as I have done before.”

His dedication extends further as he also honours his daughter, Lesley Sanczuk, who died from breast cancer on August 22, 2025.

The memories of Margaret and Lesley will be a driving force in Gerard’s cycling mission.

At 9 am on October 1, 2025, Gerard will begin his remarkable journey, which involves conquering a virtual ascent emulating the enormous height and challenge of Olympus Mons, a mountain on Mars.

The Martian peak rises to 23 kilometres, over twice as tall as Mount Everest.

Interestingly, the hill Gerard has selected for his Earth-based challenge features the same 8 per cent gradient as Olympus Mons.

This small hill, positioned just outside Gerard’s home in Whitehaven, has a base stretch of 70 metres and a height of 5.875 metres.

Gerard added: “I’m doing it because for over 40 years Margaret suffered sight loss.

“She died from a lung condition we think was contracted when she was a baby.”

To achieve the virtual summit of Olympus Mons, Gerard will be required to climb the hill 3,915 times, translating to nearly 130 ascents daily throughout October.

Gerard will culminate his challenge at Jericho Primary School in Whitehaven, where he will make his final climb during the school’s Children in Need fundraising event on November 14, 2025.

Online donations in support of West Cumbria Society for the Blind and Hospice at Home West Cumbria can be made to Gerard’s ‘Out of This World’ challenge at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/gerard.mccarten-out-of-this-world.