Myself
I'm 52 years old, live in Hertfordshire and work for British Telecom. I have done plenty of long events, 50 and 80 mile runs and a couple of 2 day adventure races. It's crazy to say this but I have watched all the TV documentaries on this event and this has made me keen to do it. I am looking forward to it, although I know they are going to be difficult times as well as (hopefully) some good ones.
The race
The MDS is a 6 day / 230km race billed as the “toughest foot race on Earth ”. This year's race will take place at the end March (we fly out on the 22nd return on the 2nd April) on a route that will be unknown to us until we get into the desert.
The competitors have to carry all their food cooking equipment, survival gear, in fact everything they need for the week except a tent. Water is handed out during the race in 1.5 litre bottles and is restricted to 9 litres a day. The temperatures can reach up to 50C and the terrain will range from loose sand dunes to uneven rocky ground. We will be wearing gaiters over our shoes to attempt to keep the sand from trashing our feet. We will have to ration the 9 litres of water carefully to prevent dehydration and we can only carry and therefore eat enough food to get the job done (around 2,000 to 3,000 calories a day - we will be using a lot more).
Why?
I enjoy challenging myself and I really want to do this. Of course if I'm going to suffer then it really ought to be for a good cause so I am doing this for the charity www.facingafrica.org. Should you wish to sponsor me you can do this online from my sponsorship page. You can also follow that link to see how much sponsorship I have received so far. Alternatively I will be holding paper copies and you can contact me at garry.grey@bt.com
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT
Links
- www.saharamarathon.co.uk - More information about the MdS (you could run it too!)
- www.facingafrica.org - Helping to cure and prevent NOMA (official charity of the MdS in 2003)
- www.darbaroud.com - The organizers of the MdS
- www.bestofmorocco.co.uk - Tailor-made trips to Morocco (marathon not compulsory)