Thank you for donating. For those interested you can read about my story to the start line below, to run and prepare for such a unique race. For other ways to support please check the f.a.q below.

Let's ensure nobody suffers In silence,

Gavin

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Frequently Asked Questions: Drop me a message if there are any further questions around the race. I've tried to answer the most frequent below.

What is the Marathon Des Sablés?

Translated from French as the ‘Marathon of the Sands’, It is a seven day, 156+ mile self-sufficient Ultramarathon that takes place in the Sahara desert in Morocco. The brainchild of Patrick Baeur, a Frenchman who in 1983 decided to take a long stroll in the desert, which decades later spawned a world famous race. By self sufficient it means that participants must carry all the items (food, water, sleep system and medical equipment) to survive for the race duration over a week.

The race is split into different lengths each day, running between 20 and 55+ miles in some of the most inhospitable conditions on earth. Numerous documentaries can be found online documenting the race. For those more visually orientated, a short trailer can be found here.

You’re crazy! Why are you running this particular race?

I first heard about the race around five years ago, while training for my first marathon, the hype, myth and legend surrounding the race was incredibly alluring and very difficult to get away from. I also wanted a bigger challenge once I completed my first marathon, I have never been a quick runner (more of a slow plodder!) - thus times and PB’s have never really interested me. However the idea of pushing my body to see if it is capable of completing this endeavour is a question I really want to learn, and would be continually wondering ‘what-if’ had I never tried.

I am also fortunate in that still being relatively young, I am physically in good shape and also able to devote the significant time needed to prepare for the race.

Why are you supporting Mind?

From experience of facing my own mental health challenges, I know that dealing with a mental health issue is something you would never wish on your worst enemy. It is a depressing, lonely and bleak place to be. I was incredibly fortunate to have support from loved ones, colleagues and professional support while I was struggling that I am indebted to. That support along with frequent exercise has helped lead me to a far better place, however this support needs to be available to everyone.

We all know that mental health conditions are on the rise, far too many people suffer in silence every day, and technology sadly not only connects but isolates individuals. We all tragically know multiple people who have been lost before their time due to the ever-growing spectrum of mental health issues. Mental Health and how it is treated has and will continue to be one of the defining talking-points of the current era. 

Nobody should have to battle their inner demons unsupported.

Besides donations, is there any other way I can support?

A really important part of maintaining race morale is the distribution of emails of support that passed onto competitors after the days running. It goes without saying that all competitors will likely go through some very difficult moments at some point in the week. If you can spare the time to drop me a message, however long it has been since we last talked, it would be well received.

If you would like to send supporting emails and track my progress during the race - you can do both of these via the organisers' website.  You may even be able to see me cross the finish line at the end of each stage!  HOWEVER, none of the facilities will go live until Saturday 2 October, so if you click on it now, you won't find anything!  Once live, the instructions are easy to follow. You will need my running number and tent number for the email - they are listed below.

My running number is 630

My tent number is 81

How did you start running?

As mentioned earlier, I am not and have never been a natural runner. I originally started running to help wind down from work, and form a good habit - the dopamine kicks quickly become quite addictive! My partner is an elite athlete regularly spends most evenings and weekends training, and thus I found myself in the house alone quite regularly - thus running was a natural outlet. 

In 2017 I watched a BBC documentary that showed non-runners who struggled with mental health training for their first marathon. Although tough, it showed me that running was more mentally challenging than physically grueling and soon afterwards I signed up for my first marathon, the Dunstable Downs Challenge race. Looking back I over trained for the race, which led to a knee injury in the first 3 miles (yes  3 miles!!) which meant I was pulled from the race. This was devastating at the time  but in hindsight it was a valuable learning experience.

The injury stayed for 6 months, and I stopped running for a period, before finally completing my first marathon at Milton Keynes in 2019 in four hours. From there I decided I wanted a new challenge, signed up for the Marathon Des Sablés and have since run multiple ultra-marathons in preparation and training runs covering thousands of miles typically at around 55 miles per week, going up to 120 during peaks.

What is your training programme like?

My training calendar follows a 6 month cycle, typically running 5 days a week (10-20 miles each day) with active recovery (strength and core circuits) on my ‘off' days. Training often is often done carrying full kit (10kg). Particularly memorable training milestones have included:

-Multiple Multi day ultra-marathons: 84 miles over three days and 66 miles in 2 days along the North Downs way. The slippery mud and steep hills are meant to be a good substitute for sand

- 3* 56+ mile days: These are particularly grueling, often with early 5am starts and late finishes. One of the more memorable of these treks ended up with me wandering round a sheep field (and some very annoyed sheep!), as I tried to recover my bearings in the dark having lost my way after 13 hours on my feet.

- Several weekend back to back marathon walks: Walking (fast) is a key part of the race, particularly if one picks up an injury or the terrain is too harsh to expend energy running (i.e large climbs). You certainly have time to think on a 26 mile walk!

- 5*20 mile sessions: Completed between Christmas Day and New Year in 2019 and 2020, these are a mentally tough part of training designed to replicate the multi-day aspect of the race i.e and learning how to get up and run again and again.

Are you afraid of failure/dnf?

Of course, this is a really really tough race, but a surprising amount of people (90%) do finish it. I've trained for so long and dealt with bitter blow of postponement on multiple occasions in the Pandemic affected world, that frankly I and other runners  just can't wait to finally start. My training has been thorough and preparation meticulous so I feel I have controlled all the elements I can control - the rest is all part of the fun and challenge!

How do you prepare for the Heat and the Sand?

Heat Acclimation is one of the last aspects of the race preparation. I'll be undertaking a programme at Bedfordshire University in the week prior to the race which will involve using a heat acclimation chamber designed to replicate the searing temperatures and humidity of the Sahara. Unfortunately the best way to measure your body temperature in the heat chamber is through a rectal temperature probe - no further explanations needed here...

In addition I will be exercising in the Sauna and hot baths to achieve elevated heart rate which assists further acclimation.

Why do you have so many pictures of sheep in the gallery?

Running thousands of miles over years 'close to nature' can be invigorating, but it can be monotonous at points too, especially during the pandemic. Farm Animals are regularly a feature of my runs across farmland that intersects with trails. I've been chased, surrounded not to mention lost in fields of sheep over the past two years. I'm not sure how I would react if I came across one in the Sahara... 

Please drop me a message if there are any further questions and I'll do my best to respond. Thank you once again for your incredible generosity and support.