Last September I made the perplexing decision to sign up for the Marathon des Sables. 

The Marathon des Sables is a self-supported endurance race across the Moroccan Sahara over the course of a week, through some of the world's most inhospitable terrain, covering roughly the equivalent of six marathons in seven days: approximately 250km in total. 

All 'competitors' in each year's event must carry all their own food, sleeping equipment and other supplies for the week (only water is provided) and endure temperatures that regularly exceed 40C during the daytime. At night, 'competitors' hunker down, eight to a bivouac, sharing pain-induced camaraderie, freeze-dried food, a complete lack of privacy, and exceptionally basic sanitation. The completion rate for the event ranges from around 50% in 'tough' years to 90% in more benign renewals.

Why?

Two reasons...

One - this is unashamedly a personal challenge, to prove that I'm still capable of the occasional feat of endurance and resilience (I ran a triple marathon in the UK about 15 years ago, so I have some form in this area…)

Two - to raise funds for a series of exceptional charities which are very close to my heart, following the death of my brother Sacha from lymphoma in 2007. After his death, we set up the Sacha Borthwick Foundation to raise funds to support a number of perhaps less well-known charities who undertake incredible roles in the fields of lymphoma research and prevention, palliative care and bereavement support. The Foundation also supports a number of environmental causes that were close to Sacha's heart. You can read more about the Foundation here: www.sachaborthwickfoundation.co.uk.

Through the Foundation, we are currently supporting a variety of charities and projects - often lesser known - who undertake incredibly valuable work in supporting and treating those with cancer, and their families around them. These include, notably:

- The Anthony Nolan Trust
- Child Bereavement UK
- Maggie's Trust
- Rennie Grove Hospice Care

To date I have run over 1,300 kilometres in training - mostly accompanied by Tangle, our faithful family hound.  Tangle has even put together her own 'dog blog' charting her adventures with me since last September, you can read that here: 

https://www.sachaborthwickfoundation.co.uk/current-events/tangles-blog


https://www.sachaborthwickfoundation.co.uk/

Many thanks for your support, especially in these straightened times. The money raised will certainly help to keep me focused during the inevitable dark moments I will face in the desert!