About the Marathon Des Sables

The 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, food, 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 am running in the 20th MDS to raise money and awareness for a very worthwhile charity which is the Cystic Fibrosis Trust.

2004 sees the 40th anniversary of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust. Cystic Fibrosis (cf) is the uk's most common life threatening disease affecting over 7500 babies, children and young adults.

This disease affects vital organs in the body. Especially the lungs and pancreas, by clogging them with thick, sticky mucus.

Every week 3 children and young people die from CF, usually as a result of lung damage.

The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is the only national charity in the UK funding reasearch and at understanding, treating and curing Cystic Fibrosis.

At present there is no cure.

Links

• www.cftrust.org.uk - Cycstic Fibrosis Trust
• www.saharamarathon.co.uk - More information about the MdS (you could run it too!)
• www.darbaroud.com - The organizers of the MdS
• www.bestofmorocco.co.uk - Tailor-made trips to Morocco (marathon not compulsory)