A fearsome farmer tackled searing heat to complete an epic ultramarathon in the Sahara Desert. Andrew Greenwell took on the energy-sapping Marathon Des Sables (MdS) – a six-day, 250km (156-mile) event regarded as the toughest footrace on earth – for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
The 39-year-old defied sweltering conditions to complete the challenge and raise more than £12,700.
“Everything went well but it was certainly a challenge,” said dad-of-three Andrew, who lives near Woodbridge and runs Capel St Andrew Farms.
“The temperatures were extreme, even for the Sahara, and were often in the mid to high 40s. That made running, eating and drinking more of a challenge.
“However, luckily, I managed to avoid heatstroke and finish the race. The toughest day was the fourth one which was 90km and took me over 22 hours.”
The MdS, approximately the distance of six regular marathons, is held every year in southern Morocco and the longest single stage is an eye-watering 91km. It equates to roughly a marathon a day for the first three days and then a double marathon on the fourth day.
After a rest day, hardy participants do another marathon before finishing with six miles on the last day. It is a self-sufficiency race, so participants carry their own belongings. The only thing they are given is water, which is rationed.
They sleep in open-sided tents, which are big enough for seven or eight people. Prior to flying out to Morocco, Andrew trained for months, took expert advice in terms of kit and nutrition and stepped up his preparations during a training camp in Lanzarote.
“I’ve always done a certain amount of exercise and running, but it was nice to have a challenge to focus on and work towards,” he said.
“It was a great challenge in a part of the world I probably wouldn’t have the chance to go to otherwise. The most important thing, of course, was to raise money and awareness and I was delighted to support EACH.
“It’s such a fantastic, worthy cause and crucially important for so many families.”
Andrew is no stranger to fundraising or supporting worthy causes, having previously supported the MS Society, Cancer Research and ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. He and his business are also part of the Giving Circle – an important network of dedicated supporters who commit to making regular donations totalling £1,000 a year or more towards EACH’s work.
To sponsor Andrew, click here.
