About the Marathon Des Sables

The Marathon des Sables is one of the toughest foot races on earth. Run in six days across 151 miles of the Moroccan desert, the challenge of the race is truly daunting. The Sahara ensures a very warm welcome to the 650 foolhardy entrants with vast sand dunes and blistering temperatures of up to 49° C.

The organisers ensure that runners are tested to the limits of human endurance. Amongst the six stages, a gruelling 45 mile run through the night is then followed by a full marathon. Weighed down with 10kg backpacks, competitors have to carry their own food and medical kit. In addition, dehydration, blistered feet, sand storms and other surprises keep runners on their toes.

In answer to the puzzled looks and the question why, the challenge of the Marathon des Sables is a great opportunity to raise money for The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign. I am aiming to raise £100 for every mile I run, £15,100 in total. The Royal Marsden Hospital is Europe's leading cancer centre, with more than 30,000 patients being referred to its sites in Chelsea and Sutton every year. Patients benefit hugely from pioneering treatments and the incredible dedication of its staff.

Your donations, which can be made via the link at the bottom of the page, will go to an excellent cause and be a fantastic motivation to me as I charge across the desert. You can keep track of my progress via the organiser's website, www.darbaroud.com.

Thank you very much for your support.

Nick

The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign (Registered Charity No.1095197)

http://www.justgiving.com/apsimon

Links

• www.justgiving.com/apsimon  - To donate to The Royal Marsden Cancer Campaign via credit card
• http://www.royalmarsden.org/           - To find out more about The Royal Marsden
• http://www.saharamarathon.co.uk/    - More information about the Marathon des Sables
• http://www.darbaroud.com/              - The organizers of the Marathon des Sables