About the Marathon Des Sables

The Marathon des Sables (MdS) is a 6 day / 230km endurance race across the Sahara Desert in Morocco, normally taking place at the end of March / beginning of April.

During this time the competitors (myself included!) have to carry all food, cooking equipment, survival equipment, etc over ground ranging from sand dunes to uneven rocky ground in temperatures upto 120°F.

Why I'm running the Marathon des Sables

I'm taking part in this gruelling event for the `Archie Fund', a fund set up for the ongoing needs of the Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital and Community Child Health throughout Grampian and to some Children from Tayside, Highlands, Orkney and Shetland.

We are extremely grateful to Mark for undertaking this incredible challenge to raise funds for ARCHIE. The ARCHIE Fund provides the extras at the Royal Aberdeen Childrens Hospital and Community Health throughout Grampian. The Marathon Des Sables is considered to be the toughest footrace on earth and we appreciate the huge commitment Mark has made by agreeing to participate on our behalf. His efforts will make the difference to the children, young people and their families whom we care for throughout ht North East of Scotland and we wish him all the best. Gail Thomson, The ARCHIE Fund.

To sponsor me, please visit www.justgiving.com/markmacleod.

Links

• www.saharamarathon.co.uk - More information about the MdS (you could run it too!)
• www.facingafrica.org - Helping to cure and prevent NOMA
• www.darbaroud.com - The organizers of the MdS
• www.bestofmorocco.co.uk - Tailor-made trips to Morocco (marathon not compulsory)