GRIMSBY military man Major Stuart Morgan is ready for the test of his life – a gruelling event which bills itself as the 'toughest footrace on Earth'.
The Marathon des Sables is a race through the Sahara Desert in which competitors run the equivalent of six marathons in six days, a total distance of 156 miles.
But it's not just the distance that's the problem – temperatures regularly approach 50 deg C, the terrain is rugged and tough and athletes must carry everything they need to survive in their backpacks.
Morgan, 38, a former Tollbar pupil, believes he has what it takes to complete the challenge, and has been carefully preparing for months.
He said: "I am doing it partly to promote the parachute regiment on the worldwide stage.
"I want to demonstrate the strength and capabilities of the British soldier.
"I am also interested in the personal challenge – it is the ultimate test of physical and mental robustness.
"Although I have done nothing as extreme as this before, I have done plenty of preparation over the last six months.
"I have completed several ultra marathons, including a 55-mile single day run and a two-day event consisting of 30-mile runs on both days."
As well as the challenges of extreme distance and scorching heat, Morgan believes the unforgiving surroundings in the Moroccan desert will be perhaps be his greatest adversity.
He said: "The multi-terrain nature of the course will be difficult.
"The toughest part will be the sand dunes. There are severe dunes to go over and hard climbs – it is not just flat desert.
"The soft sand is tough going – it fills your shoes.
"Some areas feature hard shale, which is like baked sand.
"The longest stage will involve running partly at night with a headtorch and navigation equipment.
"It is not just about the distance – it is about mental robustness – the ability to keep going when your body is being slowly starved and depleted.
"You burn around 5,000 calories a day so the foods you carry have to be high in nutritional value.
"They are dry high-carbohydrate food which you add water to and cook at the end of the day.
The Marathon de Sables – which starts today – features different stage lengths varying from 20 miles to 50 miles.
Competitors have to carry all their own gear – safety equipment, first aid, navigation aids and food supplies. Water is supplied to them each day.
At the end of each stage, competitors camp out in the desert overnight ready for the next day's challenge.
As well as competing as an individual, Morgan is also one of a five-man Parachute Regiment team.
He is usually based in North Yorkshire, where he is involved with the training and recruitment of paratroopers.
After 16 years in the army, he now plans to make this year his last as a 'para' before returning to his home town of Grimsby to make a fresh start.
By completing the race, Morgan will raise funds for the Parachute Regiment's charities, as well as Unicef, the event's main charity. His team will be sponsored by sports nutrition company Grenade.
The Parachute Regiment is currently recruiting – motivated individuals should call 01206 817083 or email recruiting@parachute-regiment.com. For more information on sports nutrition and supplements, check out www.grenadefatburner.com. More information about the Marathon des Sables at www.marathondessables.co.uk.
