Why I'm running the Marathon des Sables

As a boy at school I enjoyed boxing, athletics, cricket and rugby. On leaving I was lucky to play rugby for London Scottish and ran the London Marathon. My continuing enjoyment of sport was carried into golf and for the last three summers I have enjoyed running, walking and completing the Caledonian Challenge, The Trail Walker challenge across the South Downs and most recently the Three Peaks with a close group of three friends.

However, for the past few years I have wanted to try something even more challenging and have signed up to participate in ``The Marathon des Sables'' next March 2007. This will definitely be the hardest endurance of personal fitness I have ever faced, not only because I plan on completing this without the support of a team which I have previously been privileged to enjoy but also because at 39 I am admittedly no spring chicken!

Race details

The ``toughest footrace on earth'' covers 243km/151miles run / walked over 6 days at an average speed between 3-14km. You have to carry everything (apart from a tent) you will need for the duration in a rucksack (food, clothes, medical kit, sleep bag etc..). Water is rationed and handed out at each checkpoint.

Charities

The two charities I have chosen to support are Facing Africa and The Rainbow Trust.

Sponsor Me, please

By sponsoring me for the Marathon Des Sables you will help

• Help treat and prevent Noma - an easily treatable disease, gum ulcers that become gangrenous, ultimately causing death by septicemia.
• Provide practical and emotional support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness through supporting The Rainbow Trust.

To sponsor me in aid of Facing Africa, and to see the amount of sponsorship I have raised, please visit my Facing Africa / MdS online sponsorship form. Some of the monies raised through this form will be paid back to me and I will pass them on to the Rainbow Trust.

Links

• www.saharamarathon.co.uk - More information about the MdS (you could run it too!)
• The Rainbow Trust - Providing support to families who have a child with a life threatening or terminal illness
• www.facingafrica.org - Helping to cure and prevent NOMA
• www.darbaroud.com - The organizers of the MdS
• www.bestofmorocco.co.uk - Tailor-made trips to Morocco (marathon not compulsory)