My 150-mile run across the Sahara (From Daily Echo)

My 150-mile run across the Sahara

10:17am Thursday 12th February 2009 in Search By Melanie Adams, Health Reporter

IT is the world’s toughest foot race that sees competitors battle against soaring heat, blinding sunlight, dehydration and venomous snakes.

But years of fascination with the Marathon Des Sables have not deterred one Hampshire dad from taking on the merciless test of endurance.

With just two months to go, marathon novice John Greenbank remains positive about the gruelling challenge that will see him run 150 miles across the Sahara Desert in six days.

The 46-year-old from Curdridge will battle through extreme temperatures, reaching more than 50C during the day and plummeting to below freezing at night, not to mention the endless blisters and exhaustion.

He is willing to push his body to its limits to raise money in memory of his cousin, 24-year-old Stephen Baker, who died suddenly from a brain tumour, and his son’s best friend Alex Beardsley, who died of cancer, aged ten.

With the incentive of raising hundreds of pounds for Cancer Research UK and Brain Tumour UK, John is confident he will succeed.

The dad-of-three and fire consultant said: “My family and friends have always thought I was mad and they seem to think this is proof that they were right but I really wanted to do something for Alex and Stephen.

“The main thing I am worried about is the heat. I can train as much as I like but realistically I will never be able to prepare myself for the high temperatures.

“It is going to hurt, I am prepared for that, but it will be the thought of Stephen and Alex that will give me the purpose to reach the end.”