Catherine Sweeney-Reed

What is the Marathon des Sables

The Marathon des Sables, or the Marathon of the Sands, is a multi-stage ultra-marathon. It is a 151 mile endurance race (nearly 6 marathons!) across the Sahara Desert in Morocco, which takes place each Spring. During this time all competitors have to carry all food, cooking equipment, survival equipment, etc. over ground ranging from sand dunes to uneven rocky ground in temperatures up to 120?F. I have registered for the 2006 race, which will take place from 9-15 April, 2006.

Why I'm Running

I began distance running early last year and have completed three marathons so far. Since starting training, I love the freedom to be able to travel independently to places I would have used a vehicle to reach in the past. The Marathon des Sables offers this freedom at its most extreme, as competitors run with full equipment across the vast open desert, unaided but for water stops and tents.

I also aim, in participating in the Marathon des Sables, to raise money for Facing Africa, the official charity of the MDS. It is involved in the prevention and treatment of NOMA (cancrum oris). This is an appalling disease, leading to terrible facial disfigurement in some of the poorest areas in Africa. Facing Africa provide the vital resources to bring facial reconstruction surgery to these areas, restoring the lives of thousands, ending their social isolation and even enabling them to eat once more.

Finally, I cannot resist a challenge! While running across miles of open desert, with all I need on my back will bring an incredible sense of freedom, I am aware of the huge physical and mental endurance this will require. It is described as ?the toughest footrace on Earth?! My first 'run with a rucksack', going less than a mile with only 2 kg, demonstrated this to me! I have been building up since then, though! My equipment, which I will carry with me, will range from an anti-venon pump to a whistle and lots of heavy things in between! I will be carrying food for 6 days, with up to 3 litres at a time of the water requirement at any given time, as well as cooking, sleeping, and first aid equipment. Each stage has to be completed before the camel, in order to stay in the race!

Donations

I am running for Facing Africa.

In order to make a donation, please click on this link to the on-line donation form at Facing Africa. Please don't forget to mention my name!

Sponsors

I am currently contacting potential sponsors to assist with entry to the event, where I will race in order to raise funds for this cause. If you feel that your company or organisation would be interested in sponsoring me for this event, please get in touch with via the email link below.

Preparation Events

I began distance-running with the Berlin marathon in 2004 and followed this with marathons in Edinburgh and Rotterdam in 2005. I have now entered the Abingdon marathon for this October. I also intend to enter the 31 mile Gatliff ultramarathon in November and the 55 mile Thames Meander in February of next year. This summer, along with other MDS 2006 competitors, I will be testing out my equipment and my legs on the sand dunes of Merthyr Mawr in Wales, where 'Laurence of Arabia' was filmed! I suspect we won't be experiencing desert heat, but the sand dunes will provide a good indication of the sorts of speeds for which I should be aiming in my training!

The run in the sand dunes of Merthyr Mawr with fellow MDSers Gareth, Brian, and Dave was great! My husband Mark joined us for some dune reps but prefers speed to distance, precluding the MDS (for now!). As you can see, I was the only one looking foolish in home-made gaitors, but I was glad of the chance to test them in advance. Once I'd got over the embarrassment, I was extremely pleased with how well they kept the sand out until one by one they fell off, as illustrated! I brought my GPS device to measure the distance we covered, and we were all rather dismayed to find we'd managed 11.05 miles, as It did feel somewhat further! I've got plenty more miles lined up, though, with Abingdon marathon this weekend!

If you wish to contact me, please email me.

More information about the Marathon des Sables is available at: Best of Morocco and Darbaroud.