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Home / Tips & ideas / Charity / Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Marathon des Sables

Sir Ranulph Fiennes: Marathon des Sables

March 19, 2015 by Gretta Schifano 29 Comments

Sir Ranulph Fiennes, Everest 2008. Image copyright Liz Ensor

Sir Ranulph Fiennes – Ran to his friends – is 71 years old, has had cancer, two heart attacks and a heart bypass operation. Sir Ranulph is currently training for the Marathon des Sables, also known as ‘the toughest footrace on earth’.

I meet the explorer at London’s Kingston University. He’s training in a Heat Chamber which simulates the temperature and humidity that he will experience when he takes part in the race in the Western Sahara in April. After running on the treadmill in a temperature of 40 degrees celsius for an hour he’s barely sweating. Dr Hannah Moir is assessing his performance and says that he’s coping well with the conditions.

Marathon des Sables

The Marathon des Sables is a six-day ultra-marathon which covers 156 miles (251 km) in temperatures of more than 50 degrees centigrade. Competitors have to carry on their backs everything that they need for the entire race including 14,000 calories of food, a sleeping bag, a signalling mirror and 200 euros in cash in case they drop out and need transporting somewhere. The race organisers provide water at rest stops at 10 kilometre intervals and at night there are eight-person tents for the competitors to sleep in. If Sir Ranulph completes the race he will be the oldest Briton to do so.

Marie Curie Cancer Care

Sir Ranulph is taking part in the race in order to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care. He’s already raised £6.3 million for the charity and is aiming to raise a further £2.5 million with this challenge. Marie Curie provides free care to people with any terminal illness either at home or in one of its nine hospices. The charity invited me to meet Sir Ranulph as part of a group of bloggers so that we can share his story as he takes part in the challenge from 5th – 11th April 2015 and also so that we can encourage people to sponsor him.

I'm supporting Sir Ranulph Fiennes for Marie CurieRory Coleman

International Performance Coach Rory Coleman has completed the Marathon des Sables 11 times and he must enjoy it as he’s taking part again this year. Rory is coaching Sir Ranulph and he says that the race is tough for anyone but that it will be ‘incredibly hard’ for Sir Ranulph.

Rory tells us bloggers (all women) that we would all be able to do this race as long as we prepared for it. We look at each other doubtfully and I reflect on how shattered I felt after dancing for six hours in the Red Nose Day Danceathon. Rory’s coached 100 of the competitors who are taking part in the race this year and says: ‘The women are more focused than the men. The women are loads better.’ He says that the majority of competitors are men and that a high proportion are accountants. He says: ‘Everyone in the race is equal. All you have to do each day is get from there to there. For those days you’re James Bond or Indiana Jones or Lawrence of Arabia and you’re not an accountant’.

Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Sir Ranulph is definitely not an accountant. I feel exhausted just reading the timeline of his life and I think that he’s more like James Bond, Indiana Jones and Lawrence of Arabia all rolled into one than an accountant. For instance….he was in the the SAS. He was the first person (with Charles Burton) to reach both poles by surface means. They were also the first people to cross the Antarctic and Arctic Oceans and the first to circumnavigate the world along its polar axis by surface means. Sir Ranulph and his team discovered the lost city of Ubar in the Yemen. With Mike Stroud he was the first person to cross the Antarctic Continent unsupported. After a heart attack Sir Ranulph ran seven marathons in seven days on seven continents. He’s the oldest Briton to reach the summit of Mount Everest (at the age of 65). He’s the first person to cross both polar ice caps and reach the top of Everest.

Me with Sir Ranulph Fiennes

Sir Ranulph is married and has a nine year-old daughter and when I read about his adventures and achievements I find myself thinking about his wife and child and their family life. I ask Sir Ranulph how he relaxes. He thinks for a moment and then says that it was his wedding anniversary last week and he went to the cinema with his wife to see Kingsman: The Secret Service. It’s a film about an elite secret spy organisation.

He says: ‘It’s the best film I’ve seen in a long time’.

I ask him what his daughter thinks about what he does. He says: ‘She’s not interested’. (I find this amusing and I wonder if she’ll be embarrassed about him when she’s a teenager too).

I ask where they go for family holidays when he’s not off exploring.

He says: ‘Wherever my wife wants us to go.’ This surprises me.

I say: ‘So where did you go for your last family holiday?’

Sir Ranulph says: ‘The Seychelles’.

I brighten at the thought that this driven, heroic man sometimes relaxes on a beach. Then he says: ‘We went to find Granddad’s leper colony. My Granddad founded a leper colony and it still has 90 lepers living there. When we’re not fundraising for Marie Curie we’re fundraising for them.’ I feel guilty for imagining him relaxing on a beach. I don’t know what to say.

Then Charlie of the runner beans asks Sir Ranulph what he most looks forward to eating and drinking after a race. He says: ‘I like a cup of tea. And my daughter’s chocolate, especially those Easter rabbits.’

How to sponsor Sir Ranulph

You can sponsor Sir Ranulph Fiennes as he competes in the six-day 156-mile Marathon des Sables for Marie Curie via his JustGiving page below or you can text RUN to 70007 to donate £5 – you can also include a message of support in your text.

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Related

Categories: Seasonal
Tags: Marathon des Sables, Marie Curie, Sahara, Sir Ranulph Fiennes

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. agatapokutycka says

    March 24, 2015 at 8:57 pm

    Wow, this is quite amazing! He must have very strong spirit and never give up.
    agatapokutycka recently posted…What’s Cooking – Cauliflower BakeMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Charlotte Braithwaite says

    March 23, 2015 at 11:49 am

    Amazing!
    I have just signed myself up to do run for life in June – I’m really looking forward to it.
    I love inspiration like this.
    Charlotte x
    Charlotte Braithwaite recently posted…Port Avenue: Jackets and Coats SALE! 50% OFFMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 23, 2015 at 2:47 pm

      Good for you – I hope that it goes well.

      Reply
  3. Kara says

    March 23, 2015 at 11:32 am

    What an inspirational man! Would love to meet him and hear all his tales
    Kara recently posted…Win an Easter Hamper worth over £40 from Balloons by Up Up and AwayMy Profile

    Reply
  4. Globalmouse says

    March 23, 2015 at 10:34 am

    I love Sir Ranulph Fiennes – that’s a great photo of the two of you together! Finding a leper colony for his holiday sounds exactly right for him!!
    Globalmouse recently posted…The Elms Hotel, Abberley, WorcestershireMy Profile

    Reply
  5. ninjacat says

    March 23, 2015 at 9:57 am

    Lucky lucky lady

    and what a great cause xxx

    Reply
  6. Sarah Bailey says

    March 22, 2015 at 8:11 pm

    Wow what an amazing man he is, I just image it would be amazing to listen to his stories.
    Sarah Bailey recently posted…5 ways to boost your savings this yearMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Shell Louise says

    March 22, 2015 at 3:30 pm

    How amazing he is. I hope he surpasses his goal 🙂
    Shell Louise recently posted…The New You Diet Review – Mid Week UpdateMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Funky Wellies says

    March 22, 2015 at 2:35 pm

    Really enjoyed reading about his life and his next challenge. What an amazing person! xx
    Funky Wellies recently posted…Silent Sunday / My Sunday Photo | 22nd March 2015My Profile

    Reply
  9. Rachel says

    March 21, 2015 at 8:17 pm

    What an amazing man he is, the stories he can tell I am sure are amazing x

    Reply
  10. Mary Keynko says

    March 20, 2015 at 9:54 pm

    He is amazing and such a lovely person to speak to – genuine and down to earth! Was wondeful to meet you!
    Mary Keynko recently posted…Sir Ranulph Fiennes and the Marathon des SablesMy Profile

    Reply
  11. Kate Thompson says

    March 20, 2015 at 9:10 pm

    He’s truly inspirational, and utterly mad too !! I can’t believe you got to meet him!!!!
    Kate Thompson recently posted…Quantum HappinessMy Profile

    Reply
  12. Jaime Oliver says

    March 20, 2015 at 7:55 pm

    oh wow running in any temp would have me heaving in a corner! what a great charity to support
    Jaime Oliver recently posted…Starting Out On The Journey Of LearningMy Profile

    Reply
  13. Stephen says

    March 20, 2015 at 7:45 pm

    Its amazing to think of everything he has achieved in his lifetime!
    Stephen recently posted…The death of the beard?My Profile

    Reply
  14. Monika @family{m}adventures says

    March 20, 2015 at 3:50 pm

    What an amazing man!
    And for him to do it this year of all years: the organisers have sprung a special 100k day on the participants in light of it being an anniversary. I hope he does well.

    If you decide to run this too, I pledge to sponsor you £1 for each mile
    Monika @family{m}adventures recently posted…Gearing up for adventures: the right clothes matter!My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 20, 2015 at 7:41 pm

      Oh my word, I could never complete a race like that – I think that your money’s safe!

      Reply
  15. Erica Price says

    March 20, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    I did like the idea of him relaxing on the beach, but it seems that wasn’t the case. An inspiring person to meet.
    Erica Price recently posted…Customizing A T ShirtMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Jen aka Muminthemadhouse says

    March 20, 2015 at 12:36 pm

    He is a totally inspirational man. Not sure I would want to be married to such an intrepid individual!
    Jen aka Muminthemadhouse recently posted…Munch Bunch twitter party on 25 March @8.30pmMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 20, 2015 at 12:38 pm

      Me neither – I get fed up when my husband’s away for two weeks for work!

      Reply
  17. The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover says

    March 20, 2015 at 12:30 pm

    He is an amazing man. Having a 9 year old when you are 71 is enough for most men, let alone all his expeditions! Only Ranulph Fiennes could have a grandad who founded a leper colony.
    The Diary Of A Jewellery Lover recently posted…4th Office – The Fourth Dimension Of OrganisationMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 20, 2015 at 12:39 pm

      He really is amazing!

      Reply
  18. Phoebe @ Lou Messugo says

    March 20, 2015 at 10:10 am

    Sir Ran has always inspired me, he really is superman and yet a thorough old-fashioned explorer. I would love to meet him. How lucky you are.
    Phoebe @ Lou Messugo recently posted…A memorable journey, guest blogging and Mongolia!My Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 20, 2015 at 12:39 pm

      I know that I was very lucky to meet him.

      Reply
  19. Mari says

    March 20, 2015 at 7:42 am

    What an amazing opportunity to speak to such an awesome man. I really wish I could have made this one. I’m so glad you did as I have enjoyed reading it. Best of luck to Sir Ranulph. I’ll be sure to promote this
    Mari recently posted…Dementia Friends: Join and find out how you can helpMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 20, 2015 at 8:29 am

      Thank you Marianne.

      Reply
  20. Geraldine Dawson says

    March 19, 2015 at 9:48 pm

    Inspiring interview with Sir Ranulph. I shall run with more determination now and an aim as, albeit only a few years, I am younger than him. Interesting about the Leper colony.. The man seems to knows no bounds in his efforts to fundraise and help others and he seems to downplay that he is in a personal financial position to do so.

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 19, 2015 at 10:53 pm

      We didn’t ask him about his finances! Are you game for the Marathon des Sables next time around then? I reckon you could do it x

      Reply
  21. Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com says

    March 19, 2015 at 8:47 pm

    What an incredible individual. And you’re right, the danceathon was shattering…seven marathons in seven days, that’s astonishing.
    Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com recently posted…World Book Day: costumes, controversies and some good readsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 19, 2015 at 10:54 pm

      He is amazing. Maybe Team Honk could do the Marathon des Sables for Comic Relief….what do you reckon?

      Reply

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