Cath Worth
Competitor number 863
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 (over 5.5 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 2008 race, which will take place in
April, 2008. More information about the Marathon des Sables is available at
www.saharamarathon.co.uk/about.html
Why I'm doing it
I aim, in participating in the Marathon des Sables, to raise money for Facing Africa, the official charity of the British contingent of the MDS. It is involved in the prevention and treatment of Noma (cancrum oris). This is an appalling gangrenous disease, leading to terrible facial disfigurement in some of the poorest areas in Africa. The gaping holes it leaves in the faces of its victims lead not only to difficulty eating and drinking but also make the sufferer a social outcast. Facing Africa aim to raise awareness of Noma which the WHO estimate affects 500,000 children per year, help countries plan for detection and early treatment, and provide facial reconstruction for those already affected. While in this country the NHS can provide treatment to anyone suffering disfigurement from any cause, this is completely beyond the means of the areas affected by Noma. As Facing Africa make clear, transformation of these regions of the world requires intervention on a political level. As individuals, we can reach out to individuals who need help now. The local community also benefits when treatment is provided locally, in the form of facilities in the area and the training of local staff.
If you would like to sponsor me you can use the
form below,
any contributions, however small, are greatly appreciated.
A little about myself
I am not a great fan of
personal websites, but feel that the cause, Facing Africa, justifies this for a
short period.
 I started running late
in life (aged 30) from a mountaineering background, and quickly discovered that
lugging around heavy packs of climbing gear had equipped me better for endurance
than speed.
I love running on the hills and
count the Bob Graham Round (1990), the 1991 Lyke Wake
Race (42miles, 5h 43mins, 1st Lady and record) and the 1993 Everest Marathon (5h
32 min 1st Lady and record) as my best achievements.
More recently I visited Mongolia in 2002 and 2003 for the 100 km Mongolia
Sunrise to Sunset race, and in 2004 and 2005 ran the 95 mile West Highland Way
Race, my best time being just over 22 hrs.
In 2005 and 2006 I discovered the Sahara, running the multi-stage Raid Sahara in
Mauritania. I fell in love with the desert which was not at all “flat and
boring” as I had thought! It was then that I decided to register for the 2008
Marathon des Sables.
In 2006 I was timed out at 85miles (and 30hrs running) in the Western States 100
mile Endurance Run, having been defeated by the heat (110ºF ). I returned in
June 2007, better trained and more determined, and completed in 25h 31mins.
The Marathon des Sables
is the next challenge, and I am hopeful that it will suit me, relying as it does
more on determination and organisation than running speed.
Over the years I have
gained an enormous amount of pleasure from running, as well as the people and
places I have met along the way. In March 2008 I will be 50, and to celebrate
20 years of running I feel it is time to try to put something back into one of
the countries I visit. Facing Africa seemed like the ideal opportunity to do
this. If you are able to sponsor me you can be sure you will be getting my best
effort.
Contact me!
If you wish to contact me, please
e-mail me.
 If you would like to send me an email during the race, that would be fantastic! If you go to the French version of the organisers' site at
Darbaroud (for e-mails),
and click on "écrire aux concurrents" (« write to competitors »), they print off
any emails and distribute them to the tents. You need to give my full name and
race number. I am registered as Catherine
Worth competitor number 863. The message apparently
cannot get through if there are any attachments to it. Thank you very much!!! :)
Cath Worth
Links
|
