So do you fancy running 6 marathons in 6 days across the driest desert on earth, carrying all your own food, clothes and equipment, dressed in lycra? This was the question we asked ourselves a few months ago and for some unknown reason the answer was YES!!

Mencap

On 7 March 2010 The Red Hot Chile Runners (Ross Stirling, David O'Dwyer, Richard Cheetham and David Lambert) will be taking part in the Atacama Crossing in Chile to raise money for Mencap. Mencap is the UK's leading learning disability charity working with people with a learning disability and their families and carers. Mencap works to change laws and services, challenges prejudice and directly supports thousands of people to live their lives as they choose.

The Atacama Crossing

The Atacama Crossing is part of the 4 Deserts (named by TIME magazine as number 2 on its list of the Top 10 Endurance Competitions in the world) and requires competitors to run the equivalent of 6 marathons in 6 days. The entire race will be held at least 1 mile above sea level and will cover the distance required to make a horizontal crossing of Chile (250 kilometers), we will be running across a rainless plateau that is made up of lava flows, sand and miles and miles of salt flats. To add to the challenge, the Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world and is frequently used by NASA to test its Mars rover vehicles (whereas we will just have trainers, lycra and banter). If you would like to keep up to date with how we are getting on during the event or would like to email us while we are in the desert please have a look at http://www.4deserts.com/atacamacrossing/rtpactp2.php?SID=3&SBID=RC3&competitorsBiosNum=5

Training is currently going well, Ross, Richard and David have been training in England (including a visit to The Altitude Centre and running a 45 mile ultramarathon) and Lambo has found time to run a marathon in Afghanistan (photos attached).

Donating

Mencap is a great charity and we would really appreciate your support, any donation will help to make a big difference. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and we hope you will help us support Mencap as we run across the desert!