About the Marathon Des Sables

The MdS is a 6 day / 230km endurance race across the Sahara Desert in Morocco, normally taking place at the end of March / beginning of April.

During this time the competitors (myself included!) have to carry all food, cooking equipment, survival equipment, etc over ground ranging from sand dunes to uneven rocky ground in temperatures upto 120°F.

Why I'm running the Marathon des Sables

I have asked myself many times the same question 'Why am I doing this run?' as the general reaction by many is that I must be mad. I have been a runner since my early teens and have run in many different countries and conditions, although nothing as extreme as the Sahara and for such a distance. I also love a challenge and this seemed like a good one. However, what finally tipped me over the edge into applying was talking to a former competitor last year and the wonderful tales of comradeship. There are approx 600 competitors from around the world all, with a common goal, helping each other through encouragement and willpower. The emotions run to the extremes. Being able to do an event like this and also be able to help others is an added privilege. The decision to run for the charity 'Facing Africa' was an easy one. Having read about the awful disease Noma and seen the effects this disease has on children I committed myself to raise as much money as possible. It also seemed appropriate to be raising money for a local problem whilst in Africa.

Sponsor me

Please sponsor me by making a donation to Facing Africa

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Links

• www.facingafrica.org - Helping to cure and prevent NOMA (official charity of the MdS in 2003)
• www.saharamarathon.co.uk - More information about the MdS (you could run it too!)
• www.darbaroud.com - The organizers of the MdS
• www.bestofmorocco.co.uk - Tailor-made trips to Morocco (marathon not compulsory)