About the Marathon Des Sables

This is no ordinary marathon, it is a 6 day endurance race over 243km across the Sahara Desert in Morocco. Each day is a stage of varying lengths ranging from 22km through to 84km.

20% of the distance we will be crawling up sand dunes and the remainder will be over rocky uneven ground. We will experience temperatures of up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The combination of heat, distance and constant rubbing will trash our feet.

In addition we will carry everything we need for the race on our backs, Dom (one of my team mates) even wants to take his bucket and spade.

Am I scared ... yes, very, but with your help and support we can complete this event that many describe as "the toughest footrace on earth"

Our 2 Charities

The Fergus Maclay Leukaemia Trust (Reg. Charity No. SCO 31907)

Fergus, a cousin of Dom and Ian, died at the age of 19 from leukaemia. The FML Trust was set up by his family and friends and its main aim is to explore ways of addressing nutritional issues which are a major concern in the treatment of children and young people with cancer.

The FARA Foundation (Reg. Charity No. 1004911)

FARA has been actively working with orphaned and abandoned children inRomaniafor 13 years since the deplorable conditions ofRomania^Ys state orphanages were first revealed. FARA is now providing over 300 children with a loving family, education and training as well as providing support to many families living in extreme poverty.

About me

I am running as part of the "Three Unwise Men" team which consists of two Scottish brothers and me, a Dutchman. I have persuaded them against running in kilts.

I have never run a marathon in my life so I am working on the perhaps naïve premise that "ignorance is bliss". Team spirit, strength mind and many miles of training will carry the day. The aim of raising as much money as possible for these 2 most worthy charities will see us to the finish line, we will finish. All we ask of you is your goodwill and any financial donation, however big or small, will make each blister worthwhile.

Team "Three Unwise Men"

• David (Ian) Robertson
• Dom Robertson
• Hughvan Cutsem

Links

• www.faracharity.org - The FARA Foundation
• 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)