In April 2005 I shall be entering what is known as `The toughest footrace on Earth'. There are a number of factors that seem to justify this rather daunting epithet...the Marathon des Sables is approximately 151miles/243kms in length. The distance is split up into legs of c 25km, 34km, 38km, 82km, 42km and 22km run over 6 days - the equivalent of 5 regular marathons. And that's just the length...

The terrain adds another dimension to the race. The route runs through the Sahara Desert and varies from stony ankle-twisting, knee-jarring flat plain, to the undulations of relentless sand dunes. The `dune phase' in day three is notorious as being one of the toughest (and that's the day before the 50mile endurance stretch).

In addition to the distance and the terrain to contend with, competitors have to carry all their supplies for the race. With the exception of water (9 litres of water a day is provided) and the Bedouin tents to sleep under, I will have to carry all food, medical kit (including mandatory anti-venom pump, salt tablets, flares and survival blanket), clothes and sleeping bag for the duration of the race. I will have to prepare all my food and washing is a pipe-dream.

If all of the above isn't bad enough, the average mid-day temperatures in April hover around 49°C / 120°F. (The hottest day of 2004 in the UK was a mere 31°C / 87°F.)

I am entering this challenge to raise much needed money for a local charitable trust. The Petworth Cottage Nursing Home (PNCH) provides care for those suffering the effects of old age, dementia, stroke and the terminally ill in the Petworth neighbourhood. It was established in 1867 and became a charitable trust in 1971 (Registered Charity no 1058769). Over 23 care homes (549 beds) in the area have closed over the past five years due to economic reasons and government legislation, so there is a large need. PNCH needs to raise £1 million to refurbish the existing buildings and facilities and build a new wing, to increase the number of beds from 26 to 32. The home is well managed and runs at breakeven, despite receiving no central government funding. My parents are closely involved in supporting the home and my grandmother spent her last days there, which is why I wish to support it.

If you are prepared to sponsor my entry into `The toughest footrace on Earth' and help a valued and much needed care home, please download and complete the sponsorship form (click here), and either send it back via e-mail or by post to:
wbruce@uk.ey.com
or
William Bruce
Hillside Cottage
Tunbridge Lane
Bramshott
Hants
GU30 7SP
07932 072749

Thankyou for your support.

Links

• 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)