TRAINING HOTS UP FOR PAUL AS DESERT MARATHON FAST APPROACHES
| Published: 26th February 2008 16:53 |
TRAINING HOTS UP FOR PAUL AS DESERT MARATHON FAST APPROACHES
AS his training reaches its crucial stages, fitness fanatic Paul Oliver is asking the people of St Neots for a final fundraising push before he flies out to the Sahara Desert for the challenge of his life.
The St Neots firefighter will be competing in the Marathon des Sable at the end of March, a 150-mile marathon across the desert, dubbed as The Toughest Footrace on Earth.
He wants to complete the race to raise money for the charity Macmillan, which helped his brother David through skin cancer. Paul and his brother are well known in St Neots for being keen runners and figures of fitness and good health, so when David was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2002 it was a shock to the whole community. This was especially the case, as David's wife had just given birth to their second child. David has now made a complete recovery, but Paul has not forgotten the help his family received from Macmillan and has pledged to do all he can to raise funds for the charity.
After paying the initial £2,500 entry fee out of his own pocket, Paul has so far managed to raise more than £850 for the charity. But is still a long way from his target of £1,500 and needs your help.
About 800 people a year take part in the infamous Marathon des Sables, known for its tough terrain, weather and pace. Of those brave enough to face the desert head-on with nothing but trainer power to propel them, only a hardcore group of participants cross the finishing line. In 2006 Jack Osbourne, celebrity fitness junkie and son of rock star Ozzy Osbourne, had to drop out on the second day as he was unable to carry on.
However, Paul says he is more than prepared for the race, and when he is not out saving lives and preventing fires with the day crew at St Neots Fire Station, Paul goes training six times a week, pushing himself to his physical and mental limits. Each week he completes more than 150 miles of training. This includes hill training and is completed with a backpack weighing in at 15kg. If this was not enough, he is also on retained firefighter duties during evenings and weekends.
Paul said: "For the last two months I have been doing nothing except from working and training. Even on my only night off, I can't have a late one because I've got to be up early for a 30 mile run the next day.
"I have paid the entry fee out of my own pocket as I want all money raised to go direct to Macmillan. Although I have already received some donations and sponsorships, I am still a long way from my target and I am desperate to raise more money. I've already paid the deposit and now I'm pleading to friends, colleagues and the local community to help."
He concluded: "The race means so much to me, as it will be a way for me to give something back to the Macmillan charity."
The race takes place in six stages over seven days in the Sahara and is the equivalent of nearly six marathons back-to-back.
The desert is one of the world's most hostile environments, and Paul will have to carry a rucksack full of food and supplies, in temperatures ranging from 130°F to almost freezing.
Self-sufficient except for water and medical assistance, runners of the Marathon des Sables have to carry their own food, sleeping bag, cooking utensils, clothing and emergency equipment in packs.
The rules of the event are simple but strict. Compulsory kit includes an emergency distress flare, an anti-venom pump for scorpion and snakebites, 2,500 calories of food per day, salt tablets, and goggles to protect eyes from the raging sandstorms. Each competitor is given a modest nine litres of water per day which is distributed at various points, but anyone who drinks more will be automatically disqualified.
If you would like to make a donation, however big or small, you can now donate online at www.justgiving.com/poliver.
