BOX long distance expert Damian Hall will take a giant stride into one of the harshest environments on earth when he lines up for the Marathon de Sables on Sunday.

This legendary event, in the Sahara Desert, has become one of the most iconic races among ultra runners comprising 250k of running in five timed stages and one compulsory charity stage. Daily distances will vary from 30km to 90km.

Close to 1,200 runners will start the race on Sunday and it is not just the distance, rugged territory plus temperatures varying from high 30C in the day and freezing at night that will be a problem for Hall and his colleagues.

“I don’t even want to think about the spiders, snakes and scorpions that we might come across,” said Hall, who is a member of Corsham Running Club. “I think we will be okay when we are running in the day but it will be at night when we are trying to sleep that might be an issue.

“We also have to carry everything we need apart from water, which is supplied by the organisers.

while every night they erect a big tent with a carpet base for us to sleep on.

“In my pack I will need to carry a sleeping bag and all my food and that is a minimum 2,000 calories-a-day and probably up to 4,000 but that would mean a very heavy bag so I am prepared to go hungry.

“I would rather carry less and be hungry to be honest as it should help me perform better.”

Clearly it is not an event to be taken lightly, even before runners contemplate the £4,000 entry fee, which includes flights and the vast logistical support that goes into staging an event in such a challenging location.

Hall revealed that he is not in tip-top shape for the race so has lowered his sights accordingly.

“I had a long time off with an Achilles tendon problem so have really only had five good weeks of training for the Marathon de Sables,” added Hall.

“But I got hold of a PVC suit and I have been running around Box in that as it really makes me hot and sweaty. I have certainly had some funny looks from people out early in the morning.

“I have also been training in a heat chamber at Bath University which has also been really helpful.

“But to be honest I haven’t done enough to be really competitive so I won’t race it as such. I will do my best but this is going to be more of an adventure for me.

“It is something totally different and I have never been to Africa before so that is a first.”

“It will certainly be a proper desert experience because the Sahara is a unique environment and one of the most famous places on earth. I am really looking forward to it now.”