| Marathon Des Sables | - The Marathon Des Sables takes place across the Sahara Desert in Morocco.
- Competitors have to run 230km in six days.
- Runners have to carry all their own equipment, including a tent.
- Daytime temperatures rise as high as 49 degrees Celsius and at night fall back down to 4 degrees!
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What would you do to raise a bit of money for a charity you cared about? Do a sponsored walk? Shave your legs? Organise a jumble sale? Steve Slawson, from Worcester, is planning to do something a little bit more challenging - like running in the toughest footrace in the world. The Marathon Des Sables is a 6 day/230km endurance race across the Sahara Desert in Morocco. Competitors have to be totally self sufficient, carrying their own equipment (except a tent) and food needed for the race - only water (which is rationed) is issued on a daily basis.
 | | Steve Slawson |
Here's what Steve will have to do in the six days: -
Day 1 - 17.4 miles (28 km) -
Day 2 - 21.1 miles (34 km) -
Day 3 - 23.0 miles (37 km) -
Day 4 - 47.1 miles (76 km) -
Day 6 - Full Marathon (42.2 km) |
You may notice that there's no Day 5 listed. This is because in theory Day 5 is a rest day - though as Steve points out on his website (see link at the top right hand corner of this page) most people are still running Day 4! Steve admits that he is frequently asked 'Why are you running?' - usually followed by the comment 'Are you CRAZY!' Here are his real reasons: | "I am aiming to raise £5000 in donations to St Richards Hospice to help them towards building a new residential hospice" | | Steve Slawson |
- He likes to challenge himself physically and mentally and as he says 'I'm sure "The Marathon des Sables" will more than cover both of this requests'
- To raise money for St Richard's Hospice.
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Steve says "There is currently a huge shortage of palliative care beds in Worcestershire. "I could not believe that there are only 5 beds available!! "This is why I am aiming to raise £5000 in donations to "St Richards Hospice" to help them towards building a new residential hospice which will offer patients 15 specialist palliative care beds. "This will make a huge difference to local patients & their families.
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