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.