Marathon effort in world's toughest race (From Warrington Guardian)

Marathon effort in world's toughest race

HE covered just under 250 km in six days to finish one of the world's toughest endurances races in the Sahara desert.

Ian Jones

But Risley chemical engineer Ian Jones says he is already thinking of tackling the Marathon De Sables again.

This year's race, which took place last month was considered one of the toughest yet - 731 people started it but 146 pulled out due to temperatures reaching 42 degrees centigrade.

Mr Jones said: "I was just really pleased to finish the race to be honest. You can train for the running but you can't prepare for the heat, the first three days there were people dropping out left, right and centre and there were definitely times when I thought about it but I think you have to keep focussed. When I actually finished it was amazing but it was a bit of an anti climax as well as you are thinking, what do I do now?

"I didn't suffer too badly from blisters, some people, all the skin in their feet comes off but I did lose about half a stone so I have been eating loads since I got back.

"When I finished the race I said never again, but now my girlfriend has said she might like to do it so you never know in 2008."

"You can train for the running but you can't prepare for the heat."

Ian Jones

So far Mr Jones, who competed in the race to raise funds for Oxfam has raised £1700.

* The website address for any additional donations is justgiving.com/ianjones.