A visually impaired Irishman named Mark Pollock on Wednesday finished one of the world's most challenging sporting events -the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon in Nepal - setting a world record as the first visually impaired person to complete the high-altitude race.

"Proud to be here," he said upon crossing the finishing line.

Pollock looked surprisingly fresh after the arduous competition, which finished at around midnight.

"It doesn't affect me," he told The Kathmandu Post, an English daily newspaper in Nepal.

Pollock, 31, lost his sight nine years ago.

He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and is involved in charitable works for guide dogs. He also lectures people on resilience, decision-making and creativity.