April 2011
An Ultra Marathon across the Sahara
6 days and 150 miles (243km)
One aim: To raise as much money for MacMillan Cancer Support as possible.
Check out www.runningrob.com for more details. Or Text RROB72 to 70070 to donate £5!
Rob Shenton’s family have been touched by cancer. In July 2009 his father lost his valiant fight against Lung Cancer. His mother has had Breast Cancer and survived.
Essentially Rob has experienced the many battles that cancer brings to a family, the added cost, the worry and the feeling helplessness. It can be devastating.
Macmillan Cancer is there to help, and they do every day by providing local information and support centres and cancer support groups to our benefits advisers and cancer support specialists. They also help by giving practical, medical, financial and emotional support when it is most needed.
For many people affected by cancer, Macmillan nurses are a valued and trusted source of expert information, advice and support - free of charge. There are over 3000 Macmillan nurses across the UK, working both in hospitals and in the community.
Macmillan lead nurses are senior nurse managers, helping shape the future of cancer and palliative care services in their area.
Robs personal experience of Macmillan was when his father required palliative care. The team of Macmillan and NHS nurses that enabled his father to come home for his final few days and gave him and his family dignity will always stay with Rob.
Rob ran the Marathon des Sables 2011 in memory of his father.
What is the Marathon des Sables (MdS)?
The Marathon des Sables is often described as the toughest footrace on Earth. It covers about 243km (150 miles) run over 6 days - equivalent to five and a half regular marathons whilst carrying an 11kg pack over sand dunes, rocky desert, and stony ground. The total distance generally breaks down as follows: Day 1, 25km; day 2, 34km; day 3, 38km; day 4, 82km; day 5, 42km; day 6, 22km.
In addition everything that a competitor needs for the duration of the race, apart from a tent, must be carried in a rucksack (food, clothes, medical kit, sleeping bag, stove, fuel, etc). Water is rationed and handed out at each checkpoint; we were given approximately 10.5 – 12 litres per day, which also has to be carried.
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