About Us

Known as the toughest footrace on Earth, The Marathon des Sables covers 243 km run over 6 days in the Sahara Desert. All competitors are required to carry their food and equipment needed for the duration of the event in a rucksack, apart from a tent which will be provided at checkpoints. Water is rationed and handed out at various stages throughout the race.

Sam and Olly have known each other since attending Shiplake College together. They both rowed at Henley Royal Regatta as part of the college 1st VIII in 1998. Sam continued to row for the 1st VIII for two more years, becoming Captain of Boats in 2000. After school Olly took off to qualify as a Master Personal Trainer at the Australian Institute of Fitness. During this time he continued to embark on surfing excursions to many extraordinary places in pursuit of his love for the sea. Recently he was handpicked by Headway and the NHS as the only male to head a pilot scheme in functional training for stroke rehabilitation in the South West of England. Sam left school to work on private yachts which included numerous Transatlantic crossings, a pacific cruise and a successful Transatlantic record attempt. He relishes a challenge and recent exploits include a rapid ascent of Mont Blanc and The Scottish Islands Peaks Race.

We sincerely hope that you will consider sponsoring Sam and Olly's Challenge and details of the specific account set up for Headway can be found below.

This blog will be updated regularly with progress and please feel free to subscribe to the link at the bottom of the blog to follow us by email.
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