6th April 2015
Sir Ranulph Fiennes completed the first stage of the Marathon des Sables yesterday (Sunday 05th April 2015). He finished the 36.2km run in the South-Moroccan Sahara in 8 hours, after battling the extreme heat, uphill climbs and sand dunes.
The route started across rocky terrain but soon moved into a small jebel climb. At 22k Sir Ranulph Fiennes crossed a dune field followed by a long, arduous ascent under the burning midday sun.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: "It was a tough day, going up the dunes is the hardest part especially under the midday sun. My shoulders are sore from the pack and my right foot needs looking at. I'm not thinking about tomorrow until tomorrow."
Rory Coleman, Sir Ranulph’s trainer added: "We did well today and kept a steady pace overtaking quite a few people. Eight hours under the scorching desert sun is tough but we're in good shape for tomorrow. It's back to the bivouac now to put our slippers on, have a protein shake and get to sleep as soon as the sun goes down."
Sir Ranulph is now preparing for day 2 of the gruelling race, in which he will run a total of 31km, up two jebels as high as Mount Snowdon, in heat reaching up to 45ºC.
Speaking to BBC Breakfast this morning, Sir Ranulph Fiennes said, "Yesterday was very dificult, but nothing compared to the next day and the next day." As the race becomes increasingly tough, Sir Ranulph Fiennes remains defiant that he will complete it, so that he can raise as much money as possible for Marie Curie.
Satcom Global is supporting Sir Ranulph Fiennes and his team Fieldcraft Studios by providing the satellite terminal being used to broaddcast live back to the BBC. The Cobham Explorer 710 terminal is being used with the new Inmarsat HDR streaming service to share the gruelling challenge with the world.
The Marathon des Sables is a six day ultra marathon, covering a total of 251km in 50ºC heat. Sir Ranulph is hoping to become the oldest Briton to complete the toughest footrace on Earth, to raise money for the charity Marie Curie. The money raised will help the charity provide care and support for people living with a terminal illness and their families.
Stay tuned for more updates in our news feed later this week.
People can donate to Sir Ranulph’s challenge by visiting www.justgiving.com/ranulph or by texting RUN to 70007 to donate £5 plus a message of support to Sir Ranulph.
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