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Known as the ‘toughest footrace on earth’, the Marathon des Sables is a supreme physical and mental challenge that two men from Guernsey will face in just one month’s time.
Rob Newton and Tim Coates will be attempting to run 156 miles across the Sahara Desert, all to raise money for local cancer charity Male Uprising Guernsey. The tough conditions will be very different from those the runners will have experienced during their training in Guernsey.
The relentless Moroccan sun means that the men will be running in temperatures of up to 50°C and they’ll be carrying their own food and equipment. The six-stage race includes one rest day and the longest distance covered in one stretch is 50 miles, where the runners will need to navigate the desert in the dark.
Understandably the runners have been training hard for months. Rob Newton, a director for a fund management company, says: "The training process has been a 12-month regime. I’ve been working with Martin Yabsley from X the Finish Line to address old injuries and develop my core strength. 2015 has seen more road and cliff running with an 8 kg backpack."
Tim Coates has also been training on Guernsey’s cliff paths and has created a novel way of acclimatising: "I set up a heat tank with thermo board walls, a treadmill and three heaters, which has simulated a windless 45 degree environment. I have also been working with Russell Smith of TriFitness and put in many miles on the roads."
The duo will depart on 4 April and hope to raise over £5,000.00 for MUG. "I chose MUG as it is a local charity, focusing on educating men about the risk of bowel and other cancers. I’ve been impressed by their work and their values," says Mr Newton, who continues: "Since the turn of the year the event has become more tangible and on average my week consists of five days of excitement and really looking forward to the challenge and two days of unadulterated fear, mostly around how we will cope with the potential 50 degree heat!"
Mr Coates agrees: "Of course I am touch nervous about the challenge, both physically and mentally, but I am excited by running some, if not all of the event, with my brother Jake who is travelling over from Australia. My concerns are about hydration management during the race and of course correct footwear, I am still debating which shoes will make the final cut after miles of testing!
"We hope that people here in Guernsey will really get behind us in terms of sponsorship. I wanted to support MUG because it helps to banish this idea of being embarrassed by health issues and really gets across the idea that it’s more manly and courageous to get yourself checked out if you are worried."
Trevor Kelham, founder of MUG, comments: "This is an incredible challenge. Rob and Tim are absolute heroes in our eyes. The sand dunes and the scorching temperatures will test them to their limits. We are completely humbled by their decision to do this in the name of MUG and wish them luck with the challenge."
