GRETTON resident and ex-Northampton Saints rugby player Bruce Donald is competing in the 2017 Marathon Des Sables.
Taking place between 7 to 17 April, this event is described as the toughest footrace on Earth, and is a multi-day ultra marathon, run over six days over a course of between 150 and 156 miles in the Moroccan Sahara Desert.
The gruelling adventure takes competitors through one of the world’s most inhospitable environments, through endless dunes, over rocky jebels and across white-hot sand plains. Temperatures reach over 50 degrees centigrade, with the endless sand stinging eyes and chafing delicate areas.
On top of all this, the runners have to be completely self-sufficient, carrying all their own food and equipment for the week on their backs. Water is rationed, and if that ration is exceeded a time penalty is issued.
The course changes every year, but always includes a long stage of 52 miles. Starting out in the Saharan morning, runners continue this run until dusk, then on into the night, not finishing until well into the next day.
Bruce is fundraising for two local groups, The Travers Foundation, a volunteer-run charity which helps 13 to 30-year-olds living in Northamptonshire, Rutland or Leicestershire improve their skills in sports, the creative arts and the performing arts, and Ups ‘N’ Downs, which offers support and advice for families and individuals affected by Down’s Syndrome.
Terry Forsey, chairman of The Travers Foundation, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Bruce is sharing the sponsorship money for his challenge between The Travers Foundation and Ups ‘n’ Downs. We wish him every success in this adventure."
For more information about Bruce’s extreme desert running challenge, visit his Facebook page www.facebook.com/BrucesSaharaChallenge or follow him on Twitter @BrucePDonald. For further information on the Travers Foundation visit www.travers-foundation.org.uk