Marathon des Sables runners battle on
GUERNSEYMAN Tim Coates has raced into 22nd position out of almost 1,500 competitors as he and two fellow islanders battle on in the 'gruelling and painful' Marathon des Sables.
The 35-year-old, who is raising money for local cancer charity Male Uprising Guernsey, completed the 37km third stage of the 156-mile challenge in three hours 48 minutes.
His team mate Rob Newton, 37, placed 494th yesterday having completed the third day in six hours 11 minutes.
In a email to Mug earlier in the week, Mr Newton said it had been a gruelling day.
'The mountain stage, including scaling a 20% incline on 25km, was not fun, but I finished,' he said.
'I have a few blisters under toe nails now and have bandaged them up, but a lot of pain so going to try to puncture the nail to reduce the pain for tomorrow. I did the whole stage by myself today and didn't do a lot of running just a very good marching pace. One of the tent guys ran past me and then was burnt out so happy with my approach as I got back first.'
Known as the 'toughest footrace on earth', the Marathon des Sables is a supreme physical and mental challenge. Competitors have to carry their own food and equipment. The six-stage race includes one rest day and the longest distance covered in one stretch is 50 miles, during which the runners will need to navigate the desert in the dark.
Leon Howard, 28, is the final Guernseyman taking part. He is raising money for the Sarah Groves Foundation.
