Events

MARATHON DES SABLES - 29th March - 4th April 2009

30 January 2009

150 mile run across the Sahara!

Mike Blamires - Ultramarathon Mike

Donate to Mike Blamires - Ultramarathon Mike

(all pictures from MdS website who own the copyright)

Well done and THANK YOU

DHG director Penny Green went to meet Mike at Gatwick airport as he flew back from Morocco. She reported "he looked incredibly fit and more like he'd just come back from holiday", but just to prove he was there, this picture (coutesy of Junglemoon images www.junglemoon.co.uk) shows Mike as he raced for the final finish line. Bearing in mind that he'd just run a marathon in the desert, without all the miles of the previous days, you have to admit he looks very comfortable!

It's not too late to show your appreciation of Mike's efforts by making a donation (all money raised will be divided equally amongst the three charities Mike was supporting).

Victory message from Mike

The following was recieved about 11pm Friday 3rd from Mike in an email to his dad who has been doing sterling work updating Mike's blog.

"Hi all, today was it, I collected my medal at about 3 o'clock in the searing heat after the most amazing marathon distance run ever!

Sadly I had a real wobble in the middle and a bad few miles but had a great finish, picked right up and provisional results show me at 288, I have beaten all my wildest expectations and am so happy! There have been many tears of joy and much crying today!

Thanks again for all the messages, they have been a great boost!

CONGRATULATIONS MIKE

The exact results are still unconfirmed and a little contradictory, but however you interpret them MIKE BLAMIRES has completed the Marathon des Sables.

Well done Mike and thank you from everyone at Down's Heart Group!

Stage 4 (April 3rd) - the final frontier

News is in that stage 5 has had to be cancelled due to the weather so today will be the final stage for this years Marathon des Sables. This ones only 26 miles, so just a quick marathon you may be thinking - but remember what these competitors have already endured.

So far there have been 30 people drop-out including one of the most experienced guys in the field, so Mike is doing fantastically well. His report home about stage 3 says "I’m well. Yesterday was frankly brutal … they shortened the distance but put in the longest toughest single day stage ever. With mountains appearing at over 30 miles, followed by miles of dunes. The total distance was 56 miles and it was one tough route. It was baking hot, sand blowing, head wind and then cold windy and uphill! I came in around two which has notched me up a few places, I think, but was longer than I thought I would be! Walking a bit gingerly today but all OK. Two tiny blisters!! some real horror stories walking around! Really hot again today."

Day 3 update - he finished.

After a lot of nailbiting here, finally the MdS website was updated and we know that Mike completed this very difficult stage in 16 hours 42 minutes and 6 seconds.

That's an average speed of 5.45 km per hour in the sand and heat and of course some in the dark - BRILLIANT MIKE. Not only has he improved his overall ranking but he's increased pace too - how does he do it?

Day 3 - No news is good news?

It's Thursday morning and still no update on the Marathon des Sables website. Hardly suprising though as yesterday was the BIG day of the race.

The runners aren't told anything about the route in advance, but yesterday's plan must have been a shock because it showed an unprecedented route of 91km (56 miles). According to the MdS website the first finisher completed it in just over 8 hours but results have only been posted up to 13 hours currently.

So we wait ....

Tuesday 31st Second day complete

Day two under his belt. Mike completed the 36km in 5 hours 15 minutes 34 seconds and improved his placing slightly to 304th.

Day one completed!

Better news today, the race got underway on Monday, a day late but it sounds like all the competitors were glad to be on the move.

The first day was 20.5 miles which Mike completed in 4 hrs 38mins 35 secs placing him 316 of 812 competitors.

Brilliant effort Mike - we'll update again as we have news.

LATEST UPDATE - Bad weather causes problems

Information on the Marathon de Sables website shows that the first day had to be cancelled due to bad weather. Mike must be gutted, he has been planning this run for so long and put so much hard work into training and preparation.

Latest press release indicates they hope to start the race on Monday 30th but with an altered route which will make it even tougher for competitors. Check back for updates and spare a thought for Mike who is out there raising funds for DHG and two other charities.

GOOD LUCK MIKE!

Mike flies out tomorrow (March 26th) ready to start the race on Sunday 29th. Then follows 7 days running the toughest race in the World before he makes the Finish Line on April 4th.

GOOD LUCK Mike and THANK YOU for your fantastic support of DHG, Teenage Cancer Trust and Facing Africa.

Ultra Marathon Mike

Mike Blamires will be running the equivalent of a marathon a day for seven days, sleeping in a tent and carrying all his provisions in a back pack weighing 12 kilos. The daytime temperature will hit 50'C and the terrain will be sand dunes and scrub land as he attempts a 150 mile "ultra marathon" across the Sahara Desert.

Why? Partly because he is a little bit mad, mainly because Mike really relishes the challenge and also he has the opportunity of raising money for three charities. These are;

•Teenage Cancer Trust –https://www.teenagecancertrust.org

•Facing Africa –http://www.facingafrica.org/en/default.htm

•Down’s Heart Group – Mike says "this is the personal charity. My Uncle David, who had Down’s Syndrome, passed away earlier this year. He taught everyone around him a lot about life and was much loved by everyone he met. A Down’s charity was an obvious choice so after consultation with my Mum and family Down's Heart Group was chosen as the charity best choice. This one is for you David! "

"Please help support these causes by chucking a few quid in the pot, no matter what size the donation it will all help, and it’s certainly not as hard as lugging your battered carcass over the Sahara Desert eating dried food and sleeping on the sand!
To donate is simple, pop along to the donations form, fill in the form and pay your money using the secure WorldPay system. All your personal details will be held confidentially and shared only with the charities for gift aid purposes, and the financial data is transmitted and processed exclusively by WorldPay so you need not worry about the security.

Don’t forget to GiftAid it!"

Anyone reading this who has tried to jog around the block will appreciate the effort that Mike is going to for this event. He has been training in sub zero temperatures and participating in fell runs and other ultra runs over the past few months in preparation for what will be a huge strain on his body. It will also be one of the most exciting things he has ever done.

Follow Mike's progress and sent him messages of support by logging on to www.ultramarathonmike.co.uk

Good Luck Mike!