Marathon Des Sables 2006

The toughest footrace in the world

The MdS is a 6 day / 230km endurance race across the Sahara Desert in Morocco, normally taking place at the end of March / beginning of April.

During this time the competitors (myself included!) have to carry all food, cooking equipment, food, survival equipment, etc over ground ranging from sand dunes to uneven rocky ground in temperatures upto 120°F.

Why I'm running the Marathon des Sables

Some of you may know me as an under-achieving idle drunken slob but to celebrate my retirement and my 50th Birthday I have decided to change my life style and finally make a contribution to society. In March/ April I am competing in the 2006 Marathon Des Sables. This is a 154 mile race, in southern Morocco, across the Sahara where you have to carry all your own equipment, food, cooking and survival gear. It takes place over 7 days and is the equivalent to 6 marathons with a single 50 mile overnight stage. It crosses rocky terrain and some of the highest sand dunes in the world. Tempatures can reach 50 C during the day and are close to freezing at night. Sandstorms, sunstroke, serious blisters, dehydration, navigation, madness and snakebites are all hazards. (What's even worse I will miss out on my rugby trip to Dublin for the first time in 22 years)

I am already training by competing in back to back marathons, a coast to coast Scottish biathlon, along with 34 and 50 mile ultra marathons. I am not pestering any of you by seeking sponsorship for these events.

Instead, and to make this whole stupid idea worthwhile, I wish to do something useful for once and I am asking everyone I know, and any other people who may read this, to dig deeply and be as generous as they can for a hugely important charity. Sadly almost everyone has had a friend, colleague or relative who has had to use the Marie Curie but they all praise the magnificent work done there. To know I am raising a decent amount will maybe keep me sane.

Q. What's in it for you?

A. The comfort of knowing you have helped such an important cause as the Edinburgh Marie Curie and the guarantee that once you have donated I shall never pester any of you again for money by doing such a stupid thing.

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. You can either hand me a donation when you next see me, post it to me at 48 Pentland View, Edinburgh EH10 6PS or donate on line through http://www.justgiving.com/donaldsandeman. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. Marie Curie Cancer Care 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.

Remember, this isn't a sponsored walk round the park, So please..... sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.

Donald Sandeman

Links

• www.mariecurie.org.uk - Marie Curie
• www.justgiving.com/donaldsandeman - Sponsor me
• www.saharamarathon.co.uk - More information about the MdS (you could run it too!)
• www.darbaroud.com - The organizers of the MdS
• www.bestofmorocco.co.uk - Tailor-made trips to Morocco (marathon not compulsory)