About the Marathon Des Sables

The MdS is a 6 day / 150 mile endurance race across the Sahara Desert in Morocco, normally taking place at the end of March / beginning of April.

During this time the competitors have to carry all food, cooking equipment, survival equipment, etc over ground ranging from sand dunes to uneven rocky ground in temperatures up to 50°C.

Madness, yes it surely is, because in less than a week I’m going to be standing on the start line of the Marathon Des Sables, or as it is often called “The World’s Toughest Foot Race”.

Obviously your first thought is that the title must be exaggeration and hyperbole, otherwise what the hell is a flabby, pale I.T. consultant going to do on the start line apart from fall over and expire? 

Well the short answer is probably fall over and expire.

However contrary to all common sense, good advice and sound medical opinion, I will be setting off to Morocco on Thursday 7^th April 2005 to run/jog/walk/shuffle/crawl 155miles across the Sahara desert in 6 days carrying all my own food and supplies. 

For an idea of what I’ve let myself in for, if you have time, please take a look at one or two of the following race diaries:   

1.                   Ben Hammersley - 2004

2.                   Kenneth Donaldson - 2003 (Save the Rhino)

3.                   James Henderson - 2000

Why I'm running the Marathon des Sables

Apart from the obvious reasons, mainly related to midlife crisis and early onset male menopause, the only thing which makes this idea anywhere near understandable and not simple self obsession, is that I’m hoping to raise some money for a very worthwhile charity called Facing Africa. 

Facing Africa is the official charity for the race and helps local children in the Sahara region suffering from a disease called Noma. Noma is a vicious and deadly gangrene that eats away the flesh around the mouth and face of children aged mainly up to six years. Around £1000 will cover the costs of an operation on one of these children and will help transform not only a face but a life. 

For more information on Noma and how your support for Facing Africa can help, please visit their website at www.facingafrica.co.uk , however I should warn you that some of the images on the website can be very harrowing. 

If you are moved as I am by the plight of these children then please sponsor me by filling in the form at the bottom of this email. 

Finally, thank you very much for your time and for your generosity.

Sponsor me

Please sponsor me by making a donation to Facing Africa

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Links

• http://www.facingafrica.org/ - Helping to cure and prevent NOMA (official charity of the MdS in 2003)
• http://www.saharamarathon.co.uk/ - More information about the MdS (you could run it too!)
• http://www.darbaroud.com/ - The organizers of the MdS