media_artricles :: 2016

T&T’s Edwards finishes life or death marathon

Veteran long distance runner Nicholas Edwards finished 745th yesterday in the gruelling Marathon des Sables in Morocco after a week of running. The marathon des Sables, ranked by the Discovery Channel as the toughest footrace on earth that takes runners through the landscapes of the inhospitable Sahara desert in Morocco.

The rules require you to be self-sufficient, by carrying your own food and water in a knapsack as you attempt to complete six marathons and a 17-mile charity run in six days. You are allocated one day to rest and runners are given a tent each to sleep at nights.

The criteria to compete at the race was just as peculiar, as participants were mandated to pay a whopping £4,000 for entrance fee and make a deposit of #£1,500 in case they die. This amount will ensure their body is properly prepared and shipped back to their homeland. The winner will be richly rewarded it is understood, but it is unsure of how much they will receive.

Edwards, 57, was at the back bunch of the race as he entered the final day, his twin brother Adrian managing director at Marine and General Upholsterers Limited, said. He began the day in a position of 700-plus, after jumping 100 spots when he finished Wednesday's double marathon of 54 miles in a favourable time of 24 hours. The starting field of 1,300 runners had been reduced to 1,000 after 300 opted to save their lives by dropping out, leaving the remaining die-hardsrunners literally on their last.

The runners were required to do a marathon on the opening day on Sunday last and this was followed by a marathon each on Monday and Tuesday. On Wednesday they had to complete two marathons with Thursday being a welcomed rest day. On Friday Edwards comfortably finished another 26.1 miles grind and had to be treated for pains stemming from the weight of his bag. The curtains came down on the event yesterday with a 17-mile charity run.

Edwards, who resides in England and visits the sister-isle of Tobago regularly where he has a house, has flown the T&T flag with pride, being the only T&T athlete ever to have competed at the event.

The event started in 1986 by Patrick Bauer and this year marks its 28th consecutive year as it continues to grow in popularity every edition. Under the scorching Moroccan sun, life-long friendships are fostered through a shared experience of unforgettable days spent running across saltpans, up desert-mountains, through ruined towns and through the occasional sand storm.

Adrian described the race as a challenge where you have to fight to finish the race first, before runners can even think about gaining top positions. The Marathon des Sables is open to individuals and teams of individuals, amateur and elite runners. With runners coming from all over the world, the MdS is an international event that has a positive impact on the local environment and in local communities. Through the MdS foundation Solidarite, runners have raised funds to help hundreds of families through education and improving their quality of life.

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