Record-breaking polar explorer preparing for next challenge

One year to the day since becoming the first Scot and youngest Brit in history to ski 730 miles solo to the South Pole, adventurer Luke Robertson is now training for a challenge on a different temperature scale altogether.

In just a few months, Luke – who has an artificial pacemaker and has undergone brain surgery - and his wife Hazel, will be taking on the ‘Marathon des Sables’ – a gruelling 250km (150 mile) multi-stage running race through the Sahara Desert, billed as ‘the toughest footrace on Earth’.

During the race - where water is rationed daily - competitors must be self-sufficient, carrying all food, sleeping gear and other equipment they’ll need over the six stage race, including anti-venom pumps in case they are bitten by deadly scorpions, snakes or spiders. With backpacks weighing at least 7.5kg, Luke and Hazel will be on their feet for up to 18 hours a day as they make their way across the terrain, with the longest stage covering a massive 80km.

Through Luke’s polar expeditions and Hazel’s 230km (140 mile) Arctic Ice Ultra Marathon last year, they both have significant experience in polar climates where temperatures can reach -50°C. This next adventure could see the couple facing temperatures of up to +50°C – as they race through the largest sand desert in the world.

As well as the searing heat, the couple will also have to battle steep and rocky dunes, as well as sand storms which can create zero visibility in a matter of seconds. In 1994, a sandstorm disoriented a competitor, who was discovered nine days later more than 100 miles off-course.

For Luke, this race is even more impressive given that only a few years ago he was undergoing surgery to remove a suspected brain tumour, which turned out to be an extremely large and rare enterogenous cyst, and also has a pacemaker fitted after suffering complete heart block in his early twenties.

The adventuring couple, who were married in August last year and are Marie Curie Ambassadors, already have experience in running huge distances together after completing the inaugural Cape Wrath Ultra Marathon – a 400km (250 mile) 8-day race through Scotland. But both say this will be the biggest challenge they’ve taken on together.

Luke says: “One year on from reaching the South Pole, I can’t wait to test myself in a completely different but another incredibly challenging environment. I’m definitely more used to trekking for hundreds of miles through snow and ice, and I’m under no illusion as to how deep we’ll have to dig to ensure we make it through the Sahara Desert. Give me penguins over snakes any day!”

“Running this race as ambassadors for Marie Curie is a great honour. We’re hoping that we can continue to inspire others to achieve goals that they think might be beyond them but are really within touching distance. Everyone has the ability to surprise themselves at how strong they can be and what they can achieve.”

Hazel says: “This is a legendary race with a fierce reputation and I am so excited to be a part of it. I’m really looking forward to seeing how the difficult dry and dusty conditions this year compare to the ice of last year’s Arctic Ultra Marathon. Luke and I work so well as a team, so I know we’ll help each other through the unforgiving desert environment.”

“Being able to raise money for Marie Curie is such a motivation to succeed. Having seen first-hand the amazing work carried out by the nurses, staff and volunteers, we’ll both be doing our best to put in a good performance and help to raise both awareness and donations for such an inspiring charity.”

Luke will be reflecting on and sharing his experiences of Antarctica and other adventures at the upcoming Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival on 5 February 2017. Tickets for this event are on sale now and can be purchased here: http://www.emff.co.uk/