Marathon des Sables
                          The Toughest Foot Race on Earth.

Hi everyone, and thank you for visiting my fundraising page.

JT phoned me about 18 months ago and asked if I fancied doing this crazy event. Not being able to think of anything witty to say within 5 seconds and not wanting to sound like I wasn't up for a challenge, I said yes to this slightly mad race.  That was a long time ago now and not much in the way of training has happened in the interim.

So, what is the event? It's a super endurance desert race covering 151 miles over 6 days through the Sahara desert where average daily temperatures reach 45 deg C and night time temperatures can drop to just above freezing! To add to the misery, competitors have to be self sufficient for the entire race carrying everything required for a weeks stay in the desert. The only thing that is provided is a water ration throughout the stages.

The race breaks down roughly like this. The first couple of days ease you into it with only 18-20 miles on each day. Day 3 is around 20 miles and is spent going up and down massive sand dunes. As if that wasn't bad enough day 4 is a 50 mile day! Yes, 50 miles. The last couple of days are simply a marathon a day. Easy really when you break it down like that!!!!

Trying to combine long haul flying with training has been really tough. In early December I picked up bad shin splints so that has been a bit of a set back, but generally, things are progressing nicely.


So, please dig deep and sponsor me online. Dreamflight is a fantastic charity making a really big difference to the lives of some very deserving chidren. It is only a relatively small charity so the money you give makes a real impact.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Dreamflight will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

So go on. Why don't you give up buying Starbucks for a month and give the money you save to a great cause and at the same time do your body a favour by drinking less coffee. Or, if you can't go without the fix, just give the money anyway :)

Many thanks for your support.

Nathan