The
Marathon des Sables
Why this IS the toughest footrace on Earth.
It
covers 243km/151 miles run over 6 days (7 for some) - equivalent to 5
1/2 regular marathons. In addition to that,
competitors have to carry everything they
will need for the duration (apart from a tent) on their backs in a
rucksack (food, clothes, medical kit, sleeping bag etc).
Water is rationed and handed out at
each checkpoint.
Another
training run – and getting
used to the weight of the pack!
Send
Alan a daily message! (competitor 717)
RESULTS PAGE
Main marathon page
Why
am I Running?
I will be running the Marathon Des
Sables to
raise
money for two charities –
Facing Africa
and St. Dunstans
This whole
thing
is getting worryingly close and a
bit too
real!! However, I guess my reasons for
doing this lunacy can be summarized below:
In
2004, I was a
serving Officer
in the Royal Navy, when I was suddenly given the most devastating and
shocking
news of my life – I had been diagnosed with an incurable eyesight
condition
that would eventually leave me registered as blind.
This is obviously
awful
news in
any situation, but to receive this as a 23 year old was a real blow.
After a
rapid deterioration in my eyesight, I was medically discharged from the
Royal
Navy, and also had to give up many of the sports and activities that I
loved. Nevertheless, I was still determined to do as much as I could
and push myself
as hard as I could. To that end, I promptly signed up for the next
available Marathon
des Sables.
Raising
funds for FACING AFRICA
via the link on this
site helps support an extremely worthwhile and little known charity
whose staff
and doctors do tremendous work in Africa
treating
NOMA. This is a horrific gangrenous
disease that affects the face, and devastates a life already lived
amidst
desperate poverty. The Marathon Des Sables is a key fundraising event
for this
charity, and supports the invaluable work of this worthy cause.
ST DUNSTANS
supports those that have
lost their eyesight after serving in the Armed Forces.
Having seen the great work they do in helping
those in a much worse situation than me, I was keen to do something in
return.
Funds raised will be
split
between the 2 charities with all online donations through this site
going to FACING AFRICA,
whilst all physical
donations of coins/notes that I can hassle out of friends/family will
go to ST DUNSTANS.
Many
thanks for any
support you
may wish to give to these worthwhile causes
Rest
assured that all associated costs of this challenge have already
been covered by myself, and so every penny
donated
will go direct to the 2 charities.
