Thanks for taking the time to visit my Marathon des Sables JustGiving page updated post MdS on 23rd April 2013

Firstly a huge, huge thank you to everyone for their amazing support and generosity. Every penny raised here has benefited Yorkshire Cancer Research in full.

So, an update on the challenge...

When the 5 times winner Mohamad Ahansal - this years Champion (and 17 times finisher) of the worlds toughest footrace described this years Marathon des Sables as the toughest ever it's worth sitting up and taking note. Day two in particular with its 3 mountain crossings was one of the hardest stages ever laid on by the organisers in the events 28 year history, the last section of which was so severe it required the use of ropes to reach the summit in temperatures constantly in excess of 50 degrees centigrade.

So when I, as a first (and last!!!) time MdS entrant crossed the finish line in 158th position out of the 1040 entrants, it was a very proud moment but if I'm absolutely honest the entire event was horrific. It was awful, everything, absolutely everything was designed to mess your head up. The second stage in particular was brutal; the French described it quite simply as dangerous. Stage 4: the long day - a 48 mile race that went into and for many, through, the night was particularly challenging. It hit 52.4C that day and we were in incredibly exposed mud flats at 12 o clock lunchtime, followed by a 17km section of huge sand dunes. Even the female favourite and reigning champion collapsed with severe dehydration and was disqualified.

Will I be taking part again? Quite emphatic in my answer on this one : 'No, definitely not. It's called the toughest foot race for a reason and they didn't mislabel it'. 

Aside from tent and water the MdS is self supportive for a week - food, bedding, cooking equipment, clothing, Medicare kit including a venom pump - everything on your back for 150 miles. It's a brilliantly organised event with excellent support but its gruelling. One Para broke his ankle on Day 2 but still finished all 6 Stages making use of a stick for support. One guy's feet were so badly blistered he was on crutches at the start line on the last day - the marathon stage - but he was determined to finish. Unbelievably, one runner collapsed just one mile from the end of the race on a furnace like rocky plateau, but was so disoriented and dehydrated, he was emergency helicoptered off the course - so close.

'So no, not again....'