Nick Kennell
Nick Kennell's Fundraising Page
Fundraising for Rickmansworth Gateway Club
Story
In March 2009 I will be running the Marathon des Sables - a 151 mile, 6 stage ultra-marathon across the Sahara Desert- to raise money for two charities (The Railway Children and the Rickmansworth Gateway Club). On this page you will be able to donate to Rickmansworth Gateway Club using Justgiving.
The Marathon des Sables
The Marathon des Sables has been described as the "toughest race on Earth". Competitors have to battle across a 151 mile / 243 km course covering 6 stages (including a 51 mile / 82 km stage) over 7 days in the Sahara Desert in Morocco. In addition, competitors have to carry their own food, water, and kit for the race and endure temperatures as high as 48°C (120°F). Approximately 15-20% of the race will go through sand dunes and the remainder will be on rocky roads and dusty paths so blisters will be inevitable. Indeed competitors are advised to wear trainers two sizes too big as i) their feet will swell so much in the heat; and ii) their bandaged feet will not fit into normal sized trainers after day 2!
I am running the Marathon des Sables because it is a once in a lifetime challenge and opportunity which will test me to my physical and mental limits. More importantly though, I am running to raise money for two charities (Railway Children and the Rickmansworth Gateway Club). I have also purchased the place myself and am meeting all costs from my own pocket. As a result, any contribution you make will go straight to those who need it rather than covering any of my costs.
I gained my place on the MdS in 2007. Places sold out in about 10 minutes so I even took a day’s holiday from work to ensure I would not miss out! Since then I have focused on building my stamina and mental strength to prepare me for the unique test that is the MdS.
For more information on the Marathon des Sables please visit www.saharamarathon.co.uk
Rickmansworth Gateway Club
Rickmansworth Gateway Club meets weekly to help people with learning difficulties have a social life like everyone else. Many members are on State benefits or live in care homes, and the Club is the only place that they have to make friends, enjoy themselves and give their families and carers a break.
For more information on Rickmansworth Gateway Club please visit: www.rickygateway.com
Training
My training for the MdS began in 2007 and since then I have entered a number of marathons and endurance events. These include:
2007:
The Original Mountain Marathon (OMM): The OMM is a two-day event in which competitors navigate a mountainous course, carrying their own food and equipment (including tent), and camp on the mountains overnight. I entered the B class, meaning I had to cover 50 km / 30 miles over the two days. Despite incredibly wet and windy conditions I completed the event in 15 hours, coming 89th out of 123 finishers with 101 competitors not finishing due to extreme conditions.
2008:
The South Downs Marathon: a very hilly full marathon course over the South Downs near Petersfield. I came in 35th place out of 331 competitors with a time of 3 hours 45 minutes. Many thanks to the organisers for a great day and for the Goodness Shakes at the finish!
The Fairlands Valley Challenge: a self-navigated cross-country marathon in Hertfordshire. Despite some difficulties with pace (I passed the halfway mark in about 90 minutes), directions (I got lost for about half a mile on mile 22!) and cramp (the last 4 miles were a blur of cramp resulting from my stupid first half pace), I finished 25th out of 245 competitors in a time of 4 hours 8 minutes. My thanks to the organisers for a great day out.
Atlantic Coast Challenge: I entered 2 days of this self-navigated multi-day marathon challenge, covering 2 marathons in 2 days on the South West Coastal Path from Trevaunance Cove to Lands End. The event was made particularly gruelling by the heat and the steep rocky coastal path. On the Saturday I came in 10th (out of 72) and on the Sunday I came in 15th (out of 65). Thanks to the VO Two team for an awesome two days – especially the Goodness Shakes at the end of Saturday! (As you may be able to tell I am a huge fan of Goodness Shakes!)
The OMM: Following last year's success I entered the A-class (65km over 2 days, self-navigated in the mountains of the Lake District). However extreme weather conditions (including gale force winds and severe flooding) meant that the event was abandoned. The story made national news headlines as over a thousand runners had to stay overnight in an abandoned slate mine. Fortunately I was in a car on the way home by this time!
The Rowbothams Round Rotherham 50 mile challenge: I was keen to make amends following the OMM and get my confidence back for the long distances. This event was particularly important as the sticky, wet, muddy fields made the event comparable to running in sand. After a long day of enduring rain, wind, mud and navigation by darkness, I was delighted to finish in 12 hours 18 minutes, coming 94th out of 246 starters, with 74 withdrawing. Again, my thanks to the organisers for a great event and for the jam sandwiches at the 30 mile post (which were even better than a Goodness Shake!)
2009:
Surrey Long Distance Walkers Association, Winter Tanners: This race was a 30 mile slog on the North Downs starting in Leatherhead and beginning with a steep climb up Box Hill. Conditions were very cold with snow and ice underfoot, which made some of the climbs and descents tricky. I ended up finishing in 10th place with a time of 5 hours 22 minutes.
I am not formally entered into any more events before the MdS but will be doing a number of long distance training runs over the next few weeks, culminating in another 50 mile run on the last weekend of February.