Mark's running the Marathon des Sables!
(27th March - 6th April 2009)
I have been training for this race for nearly 2 years and waiting for my chance to run in it for much longer. Over recent years I have taken part in both Marathon and Adventure Races and I completed my first single day Ultra Marathon in Wales in Dec 08 (47 miles). I'm now attempting to complete, what is know as, the Toughest Footrace on Earth!!!

Please be re-assured that I'm funding the race entry fee and all associated costs myself. 100% of all donations will go to the charity.

Why is the 'Marathon des Sables' The Toughest Footrace on Earth?
The race covers 243km/151 miles (approx. stages of 25, 34, 38, 82, 42, 22 km) run over 7 consecutive days. 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 including anti-venom pump for snake/scorpion bites, cooking equipment, sleeping bag etc). Water is rationed and handed out at each checkpoint along with salt tablets.

Competitors have to prepare all their own food throughout the race, experiencing mid-day temperatures of up to 120°F, running or walking across vast desert terrain including 300 metre high sand dunes.

The heat and distance can cause severe trauma. Whilst physical fitness is very important, mental stamina probably constitutes at least 50% of whether competitors complete the distance or not.

On the 4th day of the race after already completing over 60 miles, competitors set off across the barren wilderness to complete a non-stop 45-50 mile stage. Few people complete this before dark that evening and some will not come in till after dark the next night. This is followed by the (26 mile) 42km Marathon stage and then just a fun run of only 14 miles on the last day!! You can follow the race as it happens on the official website at: www.darbaroud.com

To see a movie clip about the race itself click here www.darbaroud.com

NICU - Why this charity?
In 1995 we were expecting twins. Unfortunately Ruth went into premature labour. Specialists at the NICU tried extremely hard to stop the inevitable but the boys were born just too early (23 weeks, 24 weeks was viable in '95). They only survived a few hours. Since then we have had a daughter Charlotte who is now 11. In 2001 Joshua was born prematurely at 30 weeks. He spent 4 weeks in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. He is now 8 and 100% healthy. Many other babies we saw at that time were very poorly, some didnt make it at all. The struggle for life was ever present and the dedication of the staff in this unit is tireless. They really are special people. I would like to help this unique unit if I can because they saved my son's life, and continue to save lives on a daily basis.

Thanks for visiting my fundraising page.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust (ACT) gets your money faster and, if you're a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me!

Thank you
Mark Howlett

UPDATE...UPDATE...UPDATE...UPDATE...UPDATE...UPDATE...UPDATE...UPDATE...

I HAVE COMPLETED THE MARATHON DES SABLE!!!!
An amazing experience i will never forget, the race was reformatted due to weather conditions and we ran an equivelent of 5 marathons in 5 days over a range of saharan terrain and through the night... including a 57 mile non-stop stage, the longest in MDS history... Brilliant!! The race went very well and even my fifth marathon was 6hrs30mins. So very pleased, thank you all for sponsoring, lets see just how much we can raise as the page will be LIVE until the end of April.

A program of the race will be shown in may/june on Sky Eurosport.
Thank you all.
Mark