Marathon Des Sables 2010
The Toughest Footrace on Earth
The Marathon des Sables has been named The Toughest Footrace on Earth, it is a race of 151 miles run over 6
Days in the Sahara desert. As well as having to deal with extreme heat, competitors have to carry everything they
need to survive for the duration including their daily water ration.
The race is not to be underestimated, midday temperatures in the Sahara reach up to 120°F/49°C. The terrain
varies between uneven rocky ground to soft sand dunes.
Tom completed the final stage of 21km (half marathon) today - 10th April. In the overall placing he is 627 with a time for all stages of 53 hours 54 mins.
8 April
Finished the 82.2km stage at 5.55am local time, position 578 Well done. the moment Tom crossed the finish line was captured by the film crew
7 April
Today is the longest stage - 82.2 km. He sent a message this morning to say he was feeling good, and expects to be done by 3am tomorrow morning....its a good job they have a 'rest day' on Thursday.
Tom had reached check point 4, 51km at 20.41 sahara time, this has taken 11 hrs 27 mins . Still another 30km to do.
6 April
This next stage is a 40km trek. Tom completed the stage in 7hrs 43 and is going quite strong, picked up his pace a little.
Tom managed to phone yesterday after he finished, he sounded positive and like he was enjoying the event, he is tired but that is to be expected, and it seems his feet have escaped any major blisters.
5 April
Firstly the if anyone is trying to use the darbaroud website to follow Toms progress, it is a bit fragile slow at the best of times and often loses connection. I havent heard from Tom, since he began stage 1, but it was great to see a picture of him posted on the darbaroud website, if you manage to get to the photos, go to the link for photos and stage 1, he is the fully tattooed back, I can honestly say I was glad to see the back of him!
I was able to get the results for stage 2 a 35.5km stage, Tom finished in 7hrs 51, and increased his placing by about 85 on the previous day.
4 April
Saturday was spent at camp 1, with bag checks and health checks being completed. Self sufficiency started this morning (4th) and so Tom had a breakfast of freeze dried Bacon and lentils! yummy! Then he was off. Stage one was a 29km trek from Erfoud, in the Errachidia Province, Tom completed this stage in 5hrs 57mins. I am hoping to hear from him via email tomorrow.
The Darbaroud website has pictures and videos now online. www.darbaroud.com
02 April
Tom set of for Morocco from Gatwick on Thursday afternoon, he got stopped by security as I (zoe) had packed a spoon and fork in his hand luggage, they took the offending fork away from him in case he intended to hyjack the plane with it!!!
He arrived safely though and spent the evening in a hotel close to the airport. The group left for the ist camp this morning at 8.00am local time with a 6 hour journey ahead of them, Tom has just rung me from the desert still on route having just had a picnic. Heat is about 35 degrees
About the Marathon des Sables
The MDS covers 151 miles/243km and is run over 6 days. As well as having to deal with extreme heat, competitors have to carry everything they need to survive for the duration including their daily water ration.
The race is not to be underestimated, midday temperatures in the Sahara reach up to 120°F/49°C. The terrain varies between uneven rocky ground to soft sand dunes. Running in the heat over the long distances mean that feet will not escape trauma if incorrect shoes and equipment are used, a mere plaster will not do much for desert blisters!! 
On the 4th day runners, walkers and....hobblers will set out across the wilderness to complete a 45-50 mile/72.4 -80.5 km stage, few will finish until well after dark but there is no rest, there is a full Marathon - 26.1 miles/42km to be completed the following day.
Of course to be physically fit is important but mental fitness is just as important when pushing yourself to the limit to complete each stage. Tom will be training from now up to the event, increasing weekly mileage through training runs and entering organised utra races.