Published: 04 May 2012
TWO super-fit brothers from Navenby completed five marathons in less than a week in scorching heat in the desert.
Twins Jim and Will Hardy, 27, have recently returned from a challenge of a lifetime after successfully conquering the Marathon des Sables, crossing 156 miles across the Sahara Desert in Morocco in just six days, all in the name of charity.
The twins not only had to trek over sand dunes in the intense heat, they also had to carry all their food, clothes and camping equipment with them in back packs the whole way.
Day one of their challenge after entering the desert saw them cover 35km, 40km on their second day, and then an incredible 82km, before taking a break the following day.
Their fifth day was a 42km trek and finally the challenge ended with a 21km slog, the equivalent to running five and a half marathons overall.
The temperatures reached up to 47C and, while Jim admitted it was the toughest thing he had ever done, he said the camaraderie among the participants was ‘fantastic’.
He added: “It was a real celebration of the human spirit, people were giving each other high fives as we passed each other and patting each other on the back.”
The oldest competitor was remarkably 80 years old, while another taking part in this extreme challenge was blind.
The twins did not suffer too badly with blisters but Jim reported seeing several people struggling. Out of an original field of 850 who took part in the challenge, Jim came 187th and Will 124th. A total of 60 people dropped out before the end.
So far, the twins have raised over £2,000 for Multiple Sclerosis Society, as their father Stephen suffers from the illness. They would ideally like to reach £2,500.
Jim said he intends to continue running after their challenge, saying that he ‘loves it too much to just not do it any more’. He is considering signing up to do the Ironman challenge next.
You can make a donation in support of Jim and Will’s fund-raiaing by visiting their JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/WillandJimHardy
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