Running 150 miles across the Sahara Desert for Addenbrooke's Charitable Trust and The Soldier's Charity

Former soldier set to take on toughest foot race on earth

This April, former soldier Rob Marriott, from Saffron Walden will be heading to Morocco to compete in the 2017 Marathon des Sables (MdS), the toughest foot race on earth.

The MdS is a completely self-sufficient race, challenging participants to cover over 150 miles within 5 days under the unrelenting sun of the Sahara Desert. The 27-year-old is running to raise money for two charities, Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust and The Soldier’s Charity.

As a child Rob always dreamed of joining the Army but when he was diagnosed with a form of Epilepsy the ambitions seemed like they might not be a possibility. It was all he ever wanted to do so hearing that this might no longer be an option was devastating. Fortunately, after receiving successful treatment at Addenbrooke’s the dreams could become a reality. Rob spent 5 years in the Army and served with the Royal Irish Regiment.

The Soldier’s Charity do excellent work supporting both serving and ex-Army personnel.

“I’ve witnessed first-hand some of the challenges that our soldiers can face and this will be a real source of motivation when I need to dig deep out there. The pain will be nothing compared to what some people will have gone through in service of our country,” he said. With the race looming Rob is clocking up the miles on training runs. You can support Rob with his challenge online.