Seven years ago, I read about the legendary adventurer Ranulph Fiennes undertaking a gruelling race across the Sahara Desert. Given all he had achieved prior to this during his incredible career, he described his experience during the race as 'more hellish than hell'. That race is the Marathon Des Sables and I am lucky enough to be competing in the race in March 2023.

The MDS is a multi-day challenge, starting in Morocco running across the Sahara Desert. During the six days, I will be running over 250km, in temperatures in excess of 50 degrees. This works out to an average of a marathon a day for six days. I will be self sufficient for the entirety of the race, meaning I will be running with all of my kit on my back. The only thing the organisers will be providing is water. (thankfully!)

The MDS is touted as 'The toughest footrace on earth'. I will be running, stumbling, burning, blistering, bleeding and hallucinating round the course - both for my own personal goals but also to raise money for charity.

I am running the race to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA). I have had multiple close friends parents pass away due to the disease. Motor neurone disease is when messages from the motor neurones gradually stop reaching the muscles. This leads the muscles to weaken and waste. It can affect how you walk, talk, eat, think and breathe. Symptoms vary and can progress at different speeds, however ultimately, MND is life shortening and there is no cure. 

I want to raise money for the MNDA to help fund the research into this currently incurable and cruelly fatal disease. Through the MNDA funded research projects; work is being done on understanding the causes of MND, developing more successful treatments and improving the standards of care.

I am funding the race entirely on my own, meaning 100% of the donations received are going direct to the great work the MNDA undertakes. I urge you to give generously, but of course I would be incredibly grateful for anything that you are able to donate.

I will be posting updates on my training and events over the coming year on this page. Or you could follow me on Instagram and say Hi at... @TJ_H1