Fiennes to face toughest day yet in desert marathon attempt

Ranulph Fiennes, 71, will face the infamous ‘long stage’ of the Marathon des Sables today (Wednesday 08 April 2015), in his attempt to become the oldest Briton to complete the race, and raise funds for Marie Curie.

This year’s notorious fourth stage of the race is 91 kilometres (56 miles),  making it the longest ‘long stage’ in the 30 year history of the event and could take the explorer over 20 hours to complete.

Having already covered over 100 kilometres (62 miles) in the last three days, Sir Ranulph is feeling the effects of the 100 degree Fahrenheit heat, particularly on his heart, following two heart attacks and undergoing a double heart bypass in 2003.

Ranulph Fiennes said: “As I’m walking I can feel a cadence under the wire where they sewed me up - it serves as a warning that I need to slow down. It feels like a rhythm behind my heart, it makes me feel dizzy and that is when I know I need to slow down. I think it is caused by the extra soft sand under foot or the inclines.”

At the end of the second day, 35 competitors including 5 Brits had to drop out of the event that is dubbed the toughest footrace on earth.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes added: “You think you see the shimmer of a checkpoint but then an hour later you still haven’t reached it.”

The money raised from the challenge will help Marie Curie provide care and support to people living with a terminal illness.

Dr Jane Collins, Chief Executive of Marie Curie said: “The long stage will be the hardest day yet for Sir Ranulph Fiennes. We’re all rooting for him and have been overwhelmed by the messages of support and donations we have received so far. Keep going Sir Ranulph!”

Sir Ranulph and Marie Curie have been able to take part in this challenge thanks to the generous support of a number of sponsors including Paul Sykes, who is covering the costs of the expedition.

Speaking about Paul’s support Sir Ranulph Fiennes said: “This challenge would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship of Paul Sykes. He has supported a number of my challenges and is very keen to encourage other people in his position to do the same and inspire people to take on their own physical challenge.”

Satellite communications experts, Inmarsat and Satcom Global have also been instrumental in allowing the charity to report back from the desert on Sir Ranulph’s progress.

To donate to Sir Ranulph’s challenge visit  www.justgiving.com/ranulph  or text RUN to 70007 to donate £5 plus a message of support to Sir Ranulph.

For more information and to follow Sir Ranulph’s challenge visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/ranulph

#RunRanRun