Desert Racer
Richard Weremiuk's journey to train for and complete the toughest footraces on earth. Starting with Marathon des Sables in the Sahara
The Marathon des sables (MDS) (Marathon of the sands) is a 7-day ultra marathon. The exact course and distance are kept secret until the night before the event, but in 2008 was 245km (152 mi), which is an equivalent to almost 6 regular marathons. The longest single stage in 2008 was 75.5km (47 miles) long. All competitors must carry all their food and equipment. The Marathon des Sables is held every year in the southern Moroccan desert (Sahara). It is considered the toughest foot race on Earth.
The first event of the Marathon started in 1986. I took part in the 23rd edition of the Marathon des Sables in March/April 2008. I ran on behalf of the Blackfriars School Fund (registered charity 1080628). Blackfriars School is a special school of 200 young people from the age of 2 to 19 with a range of physical, learning, medical and sensory needs. I raised over £4500 in sponsorship, thank you to everyone who contributed.
My training diary documented my 2 year journey from the time I first registered for the MDS in January 2006 through to the event itself in March/April 2008.
The 23rd MDS is over, the Kalahari in South Africa is next; October 2008.
