Since 2016, I have completed many ultra events from ultra cycling to ultra running and mixing the two together with a few mountain hikes thrown in for good measure. Between cycling 8,700 km over 6 different cycles, across 5 countries in just 25 days, ultra desert marathons and a 9 Peak mountain challenge, i have raised an incredible €285,000 for various local and national charities.

My brother Karl Heaney who took up running almost a year ago, started with a 10 miler last June, then a half marathon in Sept and then progressed to Dublin City's full marathon last Oct 2024. Getting the taste of running, Karl has always wanted to do a fundraiser so we have teamed up together and this year, starting Sun 6th April, we are taking on a serious challenge, the marathon de sables (MDS), featuring 9 days in the desert, running 6 marathons in 5 days and a charity 20km stage on the last stage. MDS is a self sufficiency race, totally unsupported across the Sahara desert in Morocco, a total of 265kms. This means, we will carry everything from food, medical to sleeping gear on our backs all the time as we trek/run/hike across the Sahara desert.

The MDS is known as the toughest road race in the world and only 60-70% of ultra runners actually finish it every year, many falling foul to dehydration, heat stress, diarrhoea, stomach bugs, blistered feet, exhaustion, etc. and much more, the list is endless.

The Sahara desert is a very hostile environment and we will need to adapt to the boiling heat during the day (40-50c+) , the cold at night (5-10c), the sand dunes, many sand storms, mountains (jebels), rocks, dried out lakes (wadis), dirt trails and all that the desert puts our way, if we are to survive and succeed.

The hardest part, in my opinion is getting the calories on board and trying to stomach, bland food (freeze dried pasta/rice, nuts, cereals etc.) in hot, arid conditions.

We are using the opportunity to raise some funds for 2 worthy causes - St Catherine Special school, Newcastle, Co. Wicklow and Mindspace Mayo in Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

All of my ultra events have been 100% self financed, and this event is no different, meaning 100% of all money collected/donated will go directly to the two chosen causes.

Please help us by sharing this page with your family, work colleagues and friends. The more people that know about this challenge, the more fundraising we can do. Thank you in advance for your kind generosity, it means a lot !!

Alan Heaney - Marathon Des Sables desert run (6 marathons)

Alan Heaney

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