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JOHN O GROATS
BEN NEVIS
LOCH AWE
LAKE WINDERMERE
SCAFELL PIKE
SNOWDON
LAKE BALA
PEN-Y-FAN
PLYMOUTH LIDO
LANDS END
BOWRA 1000
CHALLENGE COMPLETED: JULY 2020
Mark designed the Bowra 1000 to demonstrate that with courage, determination and cheerfulness in the face of adversity anything is possible. It is no coincidence that these key elements of the Commando spirit have helped to create the DNA of the Bowra Foundation.
This was to be Mark’s greatest challenge since that terrible day in 2014 when he suffered a devastating stroke and was told he would never walk again. The Bowra 1000 would see him cycle, yomp, paddle and swim a 1000-mile route from John O’Groats to Land’s End, joined along the way by members of the Armed Forces Community, people living with neurological disorders and supporters keen to show that “what’s inside matters.”
Mark was gutted when COVID-19 restrictions made it impossible for him to get to the start line but, undaunted, he completed the challenge day by day, mile by mile in his local area and using loaned exercise equipment in his garage – AKA the Bowra Bunker.
The Virtual Bowra 1000 Challenge began on 3 June with more beneficiaries and supporters joining Mark as restrictions eased, and stretching the route towards completing the last legs on the original roads from Dartmoor, culminating in a triumphant arrival in Lands End on 11 July 2020.
The Bowra 1000 was our flagship activity in 2020 but it is just the beginning. To be the first to receive updates and details of upcoming activities, sign up below!
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inspiring an unrelenting pursuit of recovery from neurological injury
THE BOWRA 1000
39 days
1000+ miles to cycle
4 mountains to climb
3 lakes to kayak and swim
Mark wants you to join him
HOW THE CHALLENGE UNFOLDED..
SELECT A DATE TO SEE MARK'S DAY-BY-DAY PROGRESS
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COMPLETED!
DAY 1
37.5 miles
JUNE 3rd 2020
JOHN O'GROATS - MELVICH
Located at the most north-eastern part of the UK, John 'O Groats provides the starting line for the Bowra 1000 VIRTUAL challenge. 37.5 miles to kick things off!
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COMPLETED!
DAY 2
41.9 miles
JUNE 4th 2020
MELVICH - ALTNAHARRA
Day 2 sees Mark cycling 41.9 miles from Melvich to ALTNAHARRA. The route passes through Bettyhill, Skelpick and Syre, passing Loch Naver.
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COMPLETED!
DAY 3
32.9 miles
JUNE 5th 2020
ALTNAHARRA - ARDGAY
Mark's cycle continues on day three, travelling from Altnaharra to ARDGAY.
The route passes through Crask Inn and Lairg.
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COMPLETED!
DAY 4
36.2 miles
JUNE 6th 2020
ARDGAY - DINGWALL
Day 4 sees Mark following the coastline of Dornoch Firth, then heading south on the A9 through Tain and Invergordon.
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COMPLETED!
DAY 5
41.1 miles
JUNE 7th 2020
DINGWALL - FORT AUGUSTUS
The next 41 miles take Mark from Dingwall to Fort Augustus, along the entire length of the iconic Loch Ness.
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COMPLETED!
DAY 6
30.7 miles
JUNE 8th 2020
Fort Augustus - Fort William
A journey over 30 miles takes the challenge to Fort William, ‘the gateway to Ben Nevis’ in the Scottish Highlands.
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COMPLETED!
DAY 7
REST!
JUNE 9th 2020
Fort William
Following 6 days of cycling, covering over 220 miles, Mark will utilise day 7 as a well earned rest day!
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DAY 8
8.5 miles
JUNE 10th 2020
SCALE BEN NEVIS
Mark’s first hike sees the ascent and descent of the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis.
The peak stands 1300m above sea level.
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DAY 9
Rest!
JUNE 11th 2020
Following the 8.5 mile conquering of Ben Nevis, Mark will recuperate on day 9.
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DAY 10
43.5 miles
JUNE 12th 2020
FORT WILLIAM - OBAN
Following the ascent and descent of Ben Nevis, Mark will be back on the bike today. A 43.5 mile ride from Fort William to OBAN is next up, passing the eastern shores of Loch Linnhe.
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DAY 11
31.2 miles
JUNE 13th 2020
OBAN - LOCH AWE
Another gruelling 31.2 miles takes the challenge from Oban to Loch Awe, in preparation for the first day of canoeing and rowing.
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DAY 12
12 miles
JUNE 14th 2020
LOCH AWE - CANOE/ROW
Today will see Mark take to the water for the first time, with 12 miles of rowing and canoeing the mighty Loch Awe.
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DAY 13
12 miles
JUNE 15th 2020
LOCH AWE
The second day on Loch Awe with another 12 miles of canoeing and rowing required to complete this stage of the challenge!
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DAY 14
37.6 miles
JUNE 16th 2020
LOCH AWE - LOCHRANZA
Starting from the shores of Loch Awe, Mark is again back on the bike. Next stop, is Lochranza after over 37 miles of cycling and a short ferry trip to the Isle of Arran.
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DAY 15
42.3 miles
JUNE 17th 2020
LOCHRANZA - CATRINE
Leaving the Isle of Arran via a short ferry trip back to the mainland, Mark will continue the cycle on day 15 to CATRINE.
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DAY 16
33.4 miles
JUNE 18th 2020
CATRINE - THORNHILL
Following the River Nith via the A76, today Mark cycles from Catrine to THORNHILL, passing Drumlanrig Castle and covering over 33 miles.
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DAY 17
43.5 miles
JUNE 19th 2020
THORNHILL - GRETNA GREEN
Continuing along the A76, Mark will cover a mammoth 43.5 miles today, taking the challenge to GRETNA GREEN.
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DAY 18
47.9 miles
JUNE 20th 2020
GRETNA GREEN - WICKERSGILL
Today will be the toughest cycling leg since the start of the challenge, covering over 47 miles! Next stop is WICKERSGILL, via Carlisle and Penrith.
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DAY 19
12+1 miles
JUNE 21st 2020
WINDERMERE - CANOE/ROW/SWIM
At the stunning Lake Windermere, Day 19 sees Mark faced with 12 miles of rowing and canoeing, followed by a one mile swim.
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DAY 20
5 miles
JUNE 22nd 2020
SCAFELL PIKE - CLIMB
A National Trust site, Scafell Pike will be Mark’s second hiking challenge. The peak reaches almost 1000m above sea level.
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DAY 21
Rest!
JUNE 23rd 2020
Following the demands of a five mile hike and prior to a 48+ mile cycle, Mark will recuperate on 21.
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DAY 22
48.4 miles
JUNE 24th 2020
WICKERSGILL - GARSTANG
After a very well earned rest day Mark will return to the bike, passing Lancaster and The Forest of Bowland, facing a further 48.4 miles to GARSTANG.
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DAY 23
45.6 miles
JUNE 25th 2020
GARSTANG - WARRINGTON
Day 23 sees Mark heading to the banks of the River Mersey in WARRINGTON, passing Preston, Blackburn and Wigan.
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DAY 24
50 miles
JUNE 26th 2020
WARRINGTON - WEM
On the final leg before Mark is to face Snowdon, he also faces the longest cycle yet. A mammoth 50 miles are required today!
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DAY 25
9.5 miles
JUNE 27th 2020
SNOWDON - CLIMB
Wales' tallest peak, Snowdon will require a 9.5 mike hike, taking Mark to over 1000 meters above sea level!
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DAY 26
Rest!
JUNE 28th 2020
Mark has so far covered a colossal 686.2 miles, day 26 will be only his fourth rest day.
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DAY 27
8 miles
JUNE 29th 2020
LAKE BALA - CANOE/ROW
Located on Snowdonia Nation Park, Mark will complete the final days rowing on Lake Bala on day 27.
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DAY 28
54.3 miles
JUNE 30th 2020
WEM - LEOMINSTER
The furthest cycle to date, Mark will pass through Shrewsbury and the Shropshire Hills en-route to LEOMINSTER.
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DAY 29
33.7 miles
JULY 1st 2020
LEOMINSTER - MONMOUTH
Following the A49 and A40, passing through Hereford and the west edge of the Wye Valley, another 33.7 miles are required today
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DAY 30
5 miles
JULY 2nd 2020
PEN-Y-FAN - CLIMB
Located in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Mark will be in familiar territory, scaling PEN-Y-FAN to a height of over 880 meters above sea level.
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DAY 31
Rest!
JULY 3rd 2020
MONMOUTH
Day 31 is Mark’s final rest day before the conclusion of the 1000 challenge, prior to eight consecutive days of cycling.
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DAY 32
32.9 miles
JULY 4th 2020
MONMOUTH - BRISTOL
Via the Severn bridge, crossing the River Severn, Mark will today travel 32.9 miles to RMR BRISTOL.
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DAY 33
55.4 miles
JULY 5th 2020
BRISTOL - TAUNTON
The longest cycle of the entire 1000 Challenge, takes Mark past Mendip Hills and Weston-Super-Mare to TAUNTON.
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DAY 34
47.2 miles
JULY 6th 2020
TAUNTON - DUNSFORD
Along the outskirts of the Blackdown Hills and navigating around Exeter, Mark faces another 47.2 miles today.
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DAY 35
36.4 miles
JULY 7th 2020
DUNSFORD - PLYMOUTH
In very much familiar territory, Mark heads through Dartmoor in preparation for the Day 36 swim in PLYMOUTH HOE LIDO.
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DAY 36
1 mile
JULY 8th 2020
PLYMOUTH HOE LIDO - SWIM
The final swim of the challenge sees Mark face a 1 mile swim across PLYMOUTH HOE LIDO.
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DAY 37
33.1 miles
JULY 9th 2020
PLYMOUTH - BODMIN
Via the A38, Mark will cycle into the historic Cornish town of Bodmin, covering over 31 miles in the process.
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DAY 38
42.9 miles
JULY 10th 2020
BODMIN - PENZANCE
The penultimate day of the Bowra 1000 challenge takes Mark along the A30, within touching distance of Land’s End!
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DAY 39
13.8 miles
COMPLETED!
JULY 11th 2020
PENZANCE - LANDS END
After 39 gruelling days, covering over 1000 miles cycling, rowing, swimming and hiking, the BOWRA 1000 challenge is completed!
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2020
2020
GALLERY
<
>
FINISH
START
39 DAYS...
ALTNAHARRA
ARDGAY
DINGWALL
MELVICH
FORT AUGUSTUS
JOHN O' GROATS
FORT WILLIAM
OBAN
LOCH AWE
LOCHRANZA
CATRINE
THORNHILL
GRETNA GREEN
WICKERSGILL
WINDERMERE
SCAFELL PIKE
GARSTANG
WARRINGTON
WEM
LAKE BALA
SNOWDON
LEOMINSTER
MONMOUTH
PEN-Y-FAN
BRISTOL
TAUNTON
DUNSFORD
PLYMOUTH HOE LIDO
BODMIN
LAND'S END
PENZANCE
VIDEO LIBRARY
Watch Mark's first day here on the BOWRA FOUNDATION Youtube channel.
Featuring Mark Webber,
BOWRA FOUNDATION ambassador.
Join Mark Bowra on his 1000 mile epic! Day 8 sees him replicate the Ben Nevis climb in the beautiful Dorset countryside.
This film demonstrates the third main discipline of the Bowra 1000 and shows Mark in his natural habitat - on the water!
Join Mark Bowra on his 1000 mile epic! Day 20 sees him replicate the Scafell Pike climb in the beautiful Dorset countryside. He is honoured to have two particular former colleagues with him for today's yomp.
Join Mark Bowra on his 1000 mile epic! Jason Fox and Aldo Kane joined Mark Bowra for a yomp this week.
Join Mark Bowra on his 1000 mile epic! This is what the Bowra Foundation is all about: bringing people living with neurological disorders together with members of the Armed Forces Community to complete physical challenges and inspire each other to stretch their potential.
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