Fundraiser's desert run (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Fundraiser's desert run

RUNNING one marathon might be a challenge, two would be gruelling and four seems like sheer lunacy, but a Salisbury Hospice fundraiser is preparing to run the equivalent of six marathons in seven days through the searing heat of the Sahara Desert.

On Easter Sunday, Wayne Arnold (29) will set off on the world's greatest endurance race, the Marathon des Sables ('marathon of the sands').

Carrying all his equipment, including a venom pump in case of scorpion stings, Mr Arnold will run 150 miles in temperatures fluctuating from minus 5 up to 45 degrees.

The gargantuan event attracts 700 runners from 70 countries and takes them deep into the bleak Moroccan desert.

"There is one stretch where the landscape remains unchanged for 30 miles. It's like a sand treadmill. Another day, we have to run 50 miles, which takes from 9am to 2pm," he said.

Mr Arnold has run the London and New York marathons but says this race is millions of steps into the unknown.

"I have been running about 90 miles a week and doing lots of gym work. I've also trained at Sandbanks - but nothing can prepare me for the temperature of the desert."

Runners wear shoes two sizes too big to allow their feet to swell and have a suit made from parachute silk to stop the sand rubbing their skin.

Last year, several competitors broke legs when a sand dune collapsed.

"People are placing bets on how many toenails I lose," said Mr Arnold.

"I expect to lose half a stone, as I'll only be eating dehydrated food and getting water every 10 kilometres. I'm not taking much because I've got to carry everything and my bag is already 10kg, so I'll be wearing the same shorts and top every day. I'm starting at Easter, when everyone else is eating chocolate, but the first thing I'll want when I get back is a nice cold pint."

Mr Arnold, who grew up in Ringwood before moving to London, hopes his mammoth effort will raise £7,500 for Salisbury Hospice, where his mother, Christine, was cared for four years ago.

"The staff were marvellous and made her last weeks really pleasant. This race is for them and means a lot to me," he said.

John Lakeman, of the hospice, said: "Wayne is an incredible fundraiser. This is an amazing test of physical endurance and we are behind him every step of the way."

If you would like to sponsor Mr Arnold in the Marathon des Sables,visit www.justgiving.com/waynearnold.