Considered the most gruelling foot race in the world, the 23rd Marathon des Sables (MdS) will begin across the Sahara desert on March 27.
However, for Paul Gladwell and Martin Edwards – IT workers from Melbourne's St Vincent Hospital – the seven-day 240km run in the middle of the desert and the scorching 40-degree heat are not a deterrent.
With just over a month to go, both runners are dedicated in their training regime. The two pack in 180km a week including running to work and home.
"It's a nice 22km run; it takes about 1 hour 45 minutes. Most of the time it is as quick as driving or catching the train; it's cheaper and it's a nice way to start the day," says Mr Gladwell. They also have done specific training sessions such as running through the Little Desert in the national park in 40 degree heat and eating dehydrated food.
"Why would anyone want to run in this crazy race? It is absolutely insane," admits Mr Gladwell with a smile. He is excited about the challenge, but also believes it is a chance to make a difference.
Ten years ago he lost his wife to cancer and like many of this year's 770 participants in the Marathon he is raising money for charity. All the money raised will go towards the Cancer Social Work team at St Vincent's Hospital when it moves into a new cancer centre.
"They were incredibly good about helping me and my six-year-old daughter through that phase of that big life event," he says referring to the difficult times of caring for his wife...
For Mr Edwards the motivation for spending a week in the Sahara is not dissimilar. He lost his dad to pancreatic cancer a little while ago.
Mr Gladwell said they have been "very lucky and very fortunate with the sponsors". It has meant that every cent that they raise now will go to the charity with no costs to cover.
The first MdS was held in 1986 and has continued annually to this day. Over the years some 100,000 litres of water, 2800 pairs of gloves, 2300 antibiotics, 5300 painkillers and 125 litres of disinfectant were provided to the thousands of participants, according the MdS official website.
However, entry to the marathon is almost as tough as the race itself.
"If you want to get into this race you have to pre-book a place through an agent in America because the race sells out effectively on the day of registration," said Mr Gladwell.
MdS has a total distance equivalent to six standard marathon runs, but the conditions of the race take the runners through extreme temperatures from greater than 40 degrees during the day to 5 degrees at night, sandstorms and gruelling physical pain.
Competitors trickle into the Moroccan Desert from all over the world, but the champions generally tend to be the locals – the Moroccan or African runners. The participants are required to carry everything they need for the week in their back pack – sleeping bag, food and clothing. The race organisers provide a tent and water.
For John Lindsay, a 2002 marathon participant also from Melbourne, the breaking point was the final 71km run over giant sand dunes, towering at 150m high. With sand whipping the face and visibility low, this home-run stretch took over 15 hours to complete.
For Englishman, Dr Ben Edwards, who ran in the 2005 MdS, it was more about overcoming personal challenges. Dr Edwards was the first person ever to complete the event having been treated for cancer not once, but twice.
And when asked why he was doing it he said: "Well, that's easy, because it's there to be conquered – just like cancer!"
Mr Gladwell says it is this same message of making a difference and perseverance that inspired him to take on the 2008 MdS.
He found out about the event four years ago, he explained, when he read the biography of a British soldier who had both legs blown off below the knees when clearing land mines. This man then did the race on prosthetic limbs.
"There was something about it," Mr Gladwell said "The way this soldier described the story and the way he portrayed the adventure and what sort of experience and the challenge it was, it just made me think. How amazing the race is! And I thought that it was one of those things I had to do one day."
Readers can show support for Paul Gladwell and Martin Edwards and the St Vincent Cancer Support Team by logging on to the secure website to send a message or donate online www.7daysinthesahara.com
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