Scots to embark on endurance test

By Mona McAlinden
BBC Scotland news website

Running 150 miles across some of the most inhospitable terrain on earth, in temperatures reaching 50C, is arguably most people's idea of torture.

However, for Scott Kennedy and Ben Simmister, the prospect of tackling one of the world's most extreme endurance events is a challenge they have savoured for many months.

Scott has done much of his training along the coast near his home

In four weeks, the pair will attempt the gruelling Marathon des Sables - six marathons in six days through the Sahara desert in Morocco.

Ben, an IT analyst from Skye, has immersed himself in intensive training after overcoming an injury sustained in December.

Scott Kennedy's life has also been dominated by the event since he signed up in 2005.

The 34-year-old IT project manager says that preparing for a race that will push him to his mental and physical limits has been a welcome distraction from the daily grind.

"Like a lot of people nowadays, I was quite active when I was younger," he said.

"But one thing leads to another, and a number of years later here I am, sat at a desk all day, going home, eating my dinner and sitting in front of the telly.

"In 2005, I decided I needed to do something. But I needed something to aim for, a motivating factor. I can't just go out and exercise."

Competitors face the tough task of running on sand

As a motivating factor, this competition is as daunting as they come.

The 750 runners from 32 countries have to be self-sufficient, carrying on their backs all the food, clothing and supplies they need for the week.

Only open-ended tents and a daily supply of nine litres of water are provided by the organisers.

The race's 21-year history is littered with survival stories.

Take Mauro Prosperi, a policeman from Rome who went missing in the dunes in 1994 and was found nine days later in western Algeria.

He survived on bats and urine and lost nearly three stones during the ordeal.

Competitors are even given an alarming warning on the race website that they will be disqualified if they require more than one intravenous drip.

The medical team are known as "Doc Trotters"

Most have to endure painful visits to the "Doc Trotters", a medical team provided by the organisers, to have severe blisters removed with a scalpel and iodine.

Scott, who is raising funds for the Arthritis Research Campaign, admits he is becoming increasingly nervous as the race approaches.

"I've finished four marathons over the past two years and done loads of running on the beach but it's pretty difficult to prepare for the temperatures," he said.

"I'm pretty well prepared in terms of training but you can never underestimate what you're going to experience out there.

"You hear some horror stories and it makes you wonder if you're doing the right thing but I think if your mind's positive, your body can be tricked."

Meanwhile, Ben has experienced a rather different build-up to the event.

Ben Simmister started training for the event in November

The 28-year-old signed up for the race relatively late, in November, and his training has been hampered by injury.

However, he said his involvement in shinty has stood him in good stead for the race.

"I got tendonitis in December and that knocked me back a bit," he said.

"I'm keeping my running down to 90 miles a week to try and manage the injury but I play a lot of shinty so I'm not starting from total scratch - I'm quite fit anyway."

Ben is aiming to raise £3,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care, partly "to give the race a point".

Like Scott, he was attracted by its extreme nature.

"This is the biggest challenge I've ever faced. I just wanted to see what I can do in an event that is so difficult," he said.

"I'm just trying to envisage all the things that could go wrong - such as sandstorms or dehydration - so that any setbacks won't surprise me or put me off.

Competitors have devised a variety of methods to protect their feet

"All my spare time has been tied up in this event, whether it's training or even just deciding what food and equipment to take, particularly to avoid sand getting into my shoes."

Race forums are dominated by suggestions on how to avoid this problem, which is said to resemble razor blades scraping across swollen feet.

Ben has been advised on various strategies, including steeping his feet in petrol to toughen up the skin. However, he has opted for the more traditional solution of gaiters.

Both men are now braced for the big day.

Electrocardiograms have been signed off by their doctors, snake bite kits are packed safely in their rucksacks and "corpse repatriation fees" have been paid.

Now all that is left is the small matter of running the "world's toughest foot race".

Scott and Ben will be recounting their experiences on the BBC Scotland news website when they return from Morocco.