As a young teenager I would watch Transworld sport on channel4, it was the kind of program that introduced you to sport around the world, providing coverage of those events that weren't mainstream.

One week a foot race got my attention, participants running across the desert, self sufficient, something got engrained in my memory and ever since it has been a life long ambition to take part in the Marathon des Sables. 

Given the title of the 'Toughest Footrace on Earth' it is the equivalent of 6 marathons in 6 days in upto 45degree heat, competitors must carry there own food and kit for the duration, with water earned as you go through the various checkpoints.

After several years of talking about it amongst ourselves, in 2019 myself and good friend Andy Slater signed up for the 2020 edition.  All systems go, training under the belt, we where counting the days.

Covid came and plans where shelved, not once but twice, before we finally find ourselves lining up in 2022. 

Since I signed up, cancer has had a huge impact on my family. Having been in remission my mums cancer returned in late 2019, this time incurable but she bravely continues to fight every day. 

In 2021 cancer also unexpectedly and devastatingly took my Brother Steve.

Completing this event is important to me, Steve was so supportive and proud of the challenge I am undertaking.

That said, he also sad I was mad, he was right, you have to be to do this kind of event

My challenge is big, but not as big or unforgiving as the battle that cancer can inflict.  

Research suggests 1 in 2 of us will get cancer. It doesn't have to be a death sentence, my Mother-in-law, Aunt and Cousin have all won their personal battles over the years through the treatment they received. The work Cancer Research UK does can help in turning the odds in our favour.

Thanks for taking time to read this, all donations big or small add up and could make a difference.

Duncan

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