“There are three reasons why we do the Challenge,” says Mark. “First, it’s a fantastic way to raise lots of money for the Mark Webber Challenge Foundation, and that will always remain the foremost motivation behind it. Second, I have a desire to prove to people from other sports that Formula One drivers are very fit. And thirdly, I love seeing people being rewarded for putting in the hard yards. The Challenge isn’t all about elite athletes; each year we’ve had people turn up to compete who have never done anything like it before and they’ve amazed themselves by getting through the whole event – for many of them it’s been a life-changing experience and it’s great to see them having a go.”

Interest in the Challenge from corporate Australia has grown every year, as has the number and variety of sportspeople taking part. The 2008 running of the event was the most successful to date despite Mark breaking his leg in the process! The Challenge took a breather in 2009 but there remains a commitment to the event returning in the not too distant future.

Visit the Mark Webber Challenge website