Rob Jackson to run the Marathon de Sables 2009

Former Blue Coat student Rob Jackson is to undertake the notorious Marathon de Sables in March/ April next year. The race incorporates day and night running through the Sahara desert over six days. In the space of six days, Rob will have to run the equivalent of just over five and a half marathons at temperatures exceeding 120 degrees Fahrenheit, indeed he will celebrate his 37th birthday on day two of the event. One of the stages involves running 75km (approx 54 miles) with an initial climb of 1000 feet and in the dark. As well as the challenge of the distance, and being physically drained by the softness of the sand, the hot dry air and the 150 metre high sand dunes, each runner also needs to carry all their food and equipment for the duration of the race which includes an anti-venom pump, to be used if bitten by a desert nasty!

Rob says:

"There is a certain irony in my new found running bug, I can clearly recall both Mr Rees and Mr Tittershill screaming at me to hurry up as I meandered round the “Mystery” during the annual cross country, and in fact I think I once managed to come third in the race behind me!!

“I am anticipating losing approximately one stone during the week which given the fact that I currently weigh in at approx 10 stone could be interesting. I am also likely to suffer with terrible blisters and previous racers have been known to lose pretty much all their toes nails!!

"I am doing the run to raise money for Marie Curie Cancer care which is a charity I have supported before.

"I hope that my association with the Blue Coat will allow me to appeal to as many people as possible to sponsor me. In my time at the school I came into contact with some of the great characters of the school’s history. As a boy I was fortunate enough to make it into the latter years of Mr Arnold-Craft’s time as headmaster. Although not appreciated at the time, the values that school instilled in me have stood me in great stead. I spent five years at the Blue Coat from 1983 until 1988.

"During this time I was able to include as my masters Taffy Davies, Mr Moore (French), Mr Houlder (Music complete with his flying bunch of keys), Mr Barry-Peters (Physics complete with his beer tubing!!), Mr Tittershill (with his unique way of reminding you not to forget your sports kit – SIDEBURNS!!!) and many other formidable characters including Mr Crighton, Mr Elston, Mr Cowan and Mr Hobson."

CLICK THIS LINK TO SPONSOR ROB:

CLICK THIS LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE FULL STORY:

SPONSOR ROB

THE FULL STORY