The Road to 100 - Half Marathon to Ultra Marathon

In January 2026, I’ll be standing on the start line of the Marathon des Sables Ultra: 100 miles, self-supported, across the Moroccan Sahara. No sleep. No rest. Just 40 hours to make it to the finish.

Why?

Because of a man called Mark Clifford — “Cliffy”. He was like a second dad to me growing up. Cliffy lived life at full tilt: North Pole marathons, desert ultras, personal challenges to raise money for causes he believed in. If I had to carve a Mount Rushmore of people who’ve impacted my life, Cliffy’s face would be there.

Back in 2008, I ran the London Marathon in his place after he tragically passed away. It was my first and last long-distance run until this year. I vividly remember being overtaken in the final 300 metres… by a bloke in a frog suit. Since then, the furthest I’d run was a half marathon. And now? I’m taking on an ultra in the Sahara.

I’m doing it for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH). Because while the NHS saves lives, GOSH themselves put it best:

"To help give seriously ill children, the best chance, and the best childhood possible.

Until no childhood is lost to serious illness.”

That’s what this is about. Every mile, every blister, every sleepless stretch in the desert will be for them.

How you can get involved

I want to make this fundraising campaign interactive, so you can be part of the journey:

- £25 Donation* – Add a song to my public Spotify ‘Run List’. At some point in the Sahara, I’ll be running to *your* track.

- Coaching or Mentoring Session – I work with founders under £3m in revenue and coach individuals at any stage. Book 15–60 minutes through: https://intro.co/adamcallow — every penny goes to GOSH.

- £500+ Donation** – You trigger the Sahara Shuffle. I’ll carry a deck of cards, each with a forfeit. If / when we get a £500 donation, I start a live stream and someone picks a card.

Here's what we have so far...

- 2:00 a.m. Fatigue Run (10km in the dark before sunrise)

- Weighted Pack Run (10km with full Sahara pack weight) in the Dubai heat

- Desert Sleep (overnight outside in race kit)

- Marathon in 48 Hours

- Desert Food Challenge (only race food for 40 hours straight)

And if you’ve got a fun or outrageous idea? Pitch it. Safe (ish), legal, and raises money? I’ll consider it.

Not everyone can donate — but everyone can help

Even if you can’t give financially, liking, commenting, and sharing my posts makes a huge difference. The more people who see this, the more impact we can make for GOSH.

This isn’t just about running 100 miles. It’s about turning pain into purpose. It’s about keeping a promise I once made to Cliffy. And it’s about giving children the chance to live the childhood they deserve.

Let’s make it happen.

Donate. Share. Be part of The Road to 100.