Student to face marathon desert challenge.
02 Mar 2009
Sponsor Andrew's money-raising runs for St Ann's Hospice.
Britain may have been in the grip of its coldest winter for years but life for a Manchester researcher-turned-student is about to hot up as he attempts the world’s most gruelling footrace – a 150-mile run through the Sahara desert.
Andrew McMaster will have to endure temperatures in excess of 50 degrees Celsius when he competes in the Marathon des Sables, running an energy-sapping six marathons over six days in the Moroccan desert.
Andrew, who is studying Medicine, has completed a number of marathons, but the 29-year-old from Disley says even that race cannot fully prepare him for the immense challenge ahead: "The Marathon des Sables is widely considered the hardest footrace in the world," said Andrew, who is raising money for St Ann's Hospice in Manchester.
"Competitors must run four single marathons and one double marathon over five days with one day's rest in the middle. All the running is done during the hottest part of the day and we have to carry the supplies we will need to survive for six days."
Andrew, who was a Research Associate before deciding to study Medicine, is currently running 50 miles a week, including one marathon-long session in the Peak District.
The Marathon des Sables takes place at the end of March and Andrew is currently trying to raise as much money as possible to pay towards costs and raise funds for St Anne's Hospice. Anyone wishing to sponsor him can visit: