Dad takes on COVID-19 challenge, to walk up and down the stairs 118 times with his son strapped to his back

Jamil Khan, Senior Reporter

Team AngelWolf’s Nick Watson and his son Rio have announced their latest endurance challenge, which will see the Dubai based duo walk up and down the stairs of their home a staggering 118 times, the equivalent to climbing the world’s tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa. The challenge aims  at raising awareness on the collective wellbeing of people of determination.

The challenge will take place on Saturday May 9 as Rio, who is a Person of Determination, will be strapped to his father’s back as the pair ascend – and descend – a total of 829m (2,722 ft) in one continuous climb-a-thon. The Climb With Rio challenge, which is expected to take up to four hours, aims to inspire people to stay at home, stay safe and stay fit during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the initiative Nick and Rio are encouraging people from all over the world to get involved and take on their own climb-a-thon, by picking an iconic landmark and virtually scaling it, without having to leave their homes.

Team AngelWolf founder Nick Watson says: “Our motto has always been togetherness and inclusivity, so the Climb With Rio challenge is our way of bringing people together at a time when many of us are being asked to stay apart. Both globally and locally, we are all going through a really tough period and we believe that this is a great opportunity to spread positivity throughout our communities. For those observing Ramadan, we also hope that our challenge can help raise awareness of the importance of staying healthy and active while fasting during the Holy Month.”

People can support Team AngelWolf and join the challenge at home between Friday 8 and Sunday 10 May and share their moments online using the hashtag #ClimbWithRio. People of any age and ability can get involved as individuals, families or even through virtual corporate and classmate relays. Wheelchair users can also participate by picking a distance instead of a height and completing it in laps around their homes.

TeamAngelWolf – Nick and his wife Delphine, Rio and his sister Tia – have a collective goal to raise awareness about healthy living and wellness for all and to create a more inclusive, kinder global community. Climb With Rio is one of countless events the team have spearheaded over the years to raise awareness of people in the UAE with disabilities and to facilitate their involvement in sport. Nick and Rio are regular participants in endurance racing events in the UAE and around the world.