Mansfield pair complete 156-mile race in Sahara Desert and raise £6,000

Two men from Mansfield completed a gruelling adventure across the Sahara Desert to raise money for charity. Andrew Longmead, 45, and Lee Westwood, 46, have completed the Marathon des Sables, a seven-day ultramarathon that sees participants complete a 156-mile race in temperatures of over 50 degrees.

The pair had to carry their own food and equipment throughout the challenge, which took place in April. They also had to sleep in an open tent called a Bivouac overnight, avoiding snakes, scorpions and camel spiders.

Andrew said: "It was absolutely relentless, with an average temperature of just under 50 degrees – although one day it peaked at an incredible 53 degrees in the dunes. For Lord of the Rings fans, the terrain was akin to the journey to Mordor."

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Lee added: "This was the most epic and brutal adventure of our lives. We couldn’t possibly have imagined that it would be so challenging and that we would be able to complete it together."

The pair, both of whom have connections with Mansfield Harriers Athletics Club, underwent intense training prior to embarking on the impressive journey. They went on regular runs around Mansfield and Ashfield in the months before the ultramarathon, carrying backpacks weighing over a stone.

Additional training included running from Mansfield to Nottingham to take part in the Robin Hood Half Marathon in September, and completing five back-to-back marathons over the Christmas period. Both ardent Nottingham Forest fans, they carried a flag all the way around and waved it as they crossed the final finish line.

The £6,000 raised will be split equally between their chosen charities, the John Eastwood Hospice Trust and the Royal British Legion. Their fundraising page is still open - you can donate here.