Here's a recent article featured in "The Palace" Magazine



From Crystal Palace to the Sahara Desert

If you’re like everyone else, you will start 2008 with a new to-do list which probably includes trying to be a bit more active. Everyone makes some kind of commitment at this time of the year but are you really serious about it? Local resident and one of the Directors of the Crystal Palace Sports Injury Centre, Stuart Paterson certainly is, by taking on the legendary Marathon des Sables.

The Marathon des Sables, or Marathon of the Sands, is a 240km kilometres (150 miles) endurance race, run across a section of the Sahara desert in southern Morocco. Starting on the 28th of March 2008. The race consists of six consecutive days of running, walking and sometimes crawling through the Sahara Desert, the equivalent of a marathon a day.

Competitors are self contained, carrying their food and equipment for the duration of the race, and have to negotiate 150m high dunes carrying everything they need to survive on their backs. Add temperatures soaring up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit, throw in energy sapping and abrasive sand, and then for good measure add the occasional desert nasty (Google “Camel Spider” if you are very brave), then you can understand why the race is considered the most arduous and extreme foot challenge in the world.

Stuart says “I think the Sahara Marathon will be a great personal challenge, and it is also a fantastic opportunity to help raise funds for the local charity St Christopher’s Hospice”. The Sports Injury Centre supports the Hospice at a number of levels helping their Marathon runners with training advice, physiotherapy and massage services as well as at other times through the year. “It is great to be able to extend our involvement with St Christopher’s; they do amazing work in our local community and are internationally renowned.”

The marathon was founded in 1986 by a Frenchman, Patrick Bauer, who had trekked for some 300km (186 miles) through the Algerian Sahara two years earlier and whose desire to share this experience evolved into today's race.
The Marathon des Sables has already acquired a catalogue of almost legendary stories of survival.
In 1994, Mauro Prosperi, a police officer from Rome, got lost in a sandstorm and wandered several hundred kilometres off course. He managed to live for the next nine days on a diet of boiled urine and dead bats, and he lost over 13kg (30lbs) during his ordeal.

Stuart, who is a Physiotherapist by trade is hoping his race is, in comparison, is not as eventful. The first major test of his training is in mid February when he competes in the Thames Meander, a 54 mile race from Reading to Walton-on-Thames along the banks of the river. This is one of the ultra-running calendars most prominent events and has become a natural draw and prelude for MdS competitors. There is even a ‘Sahara School’ as part of the event which gives competitors a chance to gain valuable information on all aspects of the event, from medical certification through what is required prior to leaving for Morocco from Anke Molkenthin one of the worlds leading extreme runners.

Stuart would appreciate anyone who can help him raise funds for St Christopher’s Hospice for terminally ill people. Please visit his website: www.justgiving.com/stuartpaterson2 to support this worthy cause or call into the Clinic in the Jubilee Stand at the National Sports Centre to pledge a donation.

We have a range of Pilates classes (from beginner to advanced) running in the evenings at the clinic. Classes start at 8pm and typically run for an hour in 6-8 week blocks.

Please call reception on 020 8778 9050 for details of when the next block of classes are starting.

Early booking is advised as these classes fill quickly

Thames Meander

Stu competed The Thames Meander race on the 15th of February. The Thames Meander has long been one of the most prominent events in the U.K. ultra-running calendar. The course meandering along the banks of the River Thames, over towpaths and public rights of way from Reading, heading east to finish near Walton-on-Thames 54 miles later. It is followed by the famous 'Sahara School' the next day, which teaches participants how to survive in the desert.

The Thames Meander is also the number one training event in the UK for the Marathon des Sables and since the first event in 1999, only 11 people who have used the Thames Meander for training have failed to finish the Marathon des Sables. Stu finished a credible 101st out of 190 and did a PB of 12 hours. It is likely to remain his PB, because he has vowed never to do this event again.

Stu would like to thank everyone for their support leading up to the MDS, and a special thanks for the donations to the hamper which we will raffle off to patients at the end of March.