It's been over 18 months since my previous mid life sporting crisis when i completed an Ironman. Injuries and creaking limbs aside it was actually quite pleasant and with an inevitable post race come down the challenge of a week getting a tan whilst running through some sand dunes was too good to miss. 

And so I find myself cap in had yet again. I apologise in advance for the next 20 days of no doubt incessant requests for your hard earnt / borrowed / inherited / stolen / stashed cash for yet another worthy cause. Humbled to have spent much of the last 18 months see my business entrusted to deliver the Duke of Edinburgh Diamond Anniversary Event last summer, our promise to raise £1m was short by a mere £10k. As a man of my word, that and afraid that i may never be invited back to Buckingham Palace and that my Knighthood may never happen, i am keen to surpass the million, so an Easter run in the sun seemed a good idea as i take on my own Diamond Anniversary Challenge. 

Obligatory lycra shots to follow, i can be paid to either post more or less, whichever secures the greatest transaction of funds. It's as simple as that, nothing more refined or considered, just various actions shots with gruelling faces, no doubt some dribbling. If the endurance race itself isn't enough the thought of a pre race waxed back sack and crack (purely on hygiene terms of course) presents a fear unknown before and i dread to think about the chaffing in areas that don't normally get to see the light of day.

The challenge is immense, it would be somewhat more manageable if my goal was to simply complete it, but to be true to myself and in the spirit of anything is possible if you want something enough, i want to be competitive and see just how far i can push my body. 

MdS is a truly gruelling multi-stage adventure through a mythical landscape in one of the world’s most inhospitable environments – the Sahara Dessert. You have to be self-sufficient and carry all your own food and equipment for the week on my obviously massive shoulders...... what could possibly go wrong? That said my poor business partner is taking out key Man Insurance just in case. The things you need to do to secure and ISO rating these days. 

In just six days i will run over 250km (156 miles) through endless dunes, over rocky jebels, and across white-hot salt plains, 50degrees by day, freezing by night and with a limited supply of water. No wonder less people have completed this than have climbed Everest and a few unfortunate souls have lost their lives trying. 

You will be able to track my progress live, race number 949, see me cross the finish line daily and send me e mails of support / abuse or whatever you feel will cheer me up and keep me going when times get tough. Inappropriate photos are welcome but ideally they would come from female friends! More info on tracking to follow.


Marcus

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