Luke Frost Website

              Davina Goodall - The Marathon des Sables

What is the Marathon des Sables?

On 22^nd March this year I will fly out to Morocco to take part in the ‘Marathon des Sables’. Known as “The Toughest Footrace on Earth”, the race takes place in the Sahara Desert, and covers 151miles (243kms) of sand dunes, and uneven rocky, stony ground over 7 days. The longest stage is on the 4^th day - approx 50miles (82kms), which is then followed by a full marathon (26mile /42kms) stage!

Competitors in the race are self-sufficient for the duration of the event - this means I will be carrying a rucksack weighing approx 30lbs (15kgs) containing all my food, clothes, cooking equipment, sleeping bag, and medical kit. This includes mandatory equipment like a signalling mirror, emergency flare, venom pump, compass etc. Water is strictly rationed and handed out at ‘checkpoints’ along the self-navigated course, and with daytime temperatures often reaching 45 degrees Celsius (120 degrees Fahrenheit), the battle against dehydration is an ongoing struggle.

My training for this event started in August, and my current training regime includes early morning runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, building up to a long run at the weekend with the longest planned to be 50 miles. At the peak of my training I will be doing in excess of 70 miles a week. This is made so much harder by training with a backpack (weighing up to the full 15 kgs) on.

Why am I doing it?

I enjoy a challenge, and as T.S. Elliot once said,
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go”.   Mental stamina is key. The common opinion is that it constitutes at least 50% of whether one completes the distance or not. This is why, in addition to the driver of personal challenge and achievement, I will be running to raise money for The Luke Frost Brain Tumour Research Fund set up in 1997 when Luke was just 9 years old but despite two operations and radiotherapy he sadly died 18 months later.    Once Luke’s parents learned more about brain tumours, the various types and their difficulty to treat with already established cancer treatments they realised with startling clarity that the only way children like Luke stood any chance in surviving this dreadful cancer was by injecting money into good quality research projects.

How can you help?

With the help of family, friends, colleagues and corporate sponsors, I am hoping to raise at least £5,000 for The Luke Frost Brain Tumour Research Fund.

Contact details/ Useful information

If you would like to contact me, my details are:
Davina Goodall, tel: 07775554640, email: davina.goodall@bpb.barclays.com   ...       or    ...       davina.goodall@btinternet.com
You may also like to visit the organiser’s website:www.saharamarathon.co.uk