Duncan Slater makes history as first double amputee to complete world's toughest race
Video report by ITV News Correspondent Dan Rivers
Afghanistan veteran Duncan Slater has made history after becoming the first double leg amputee to complete the "toughest race on Earth" across the Sahara desert.
He and best friend Chris Moore crossed the finish line to end a gruelling 250km journey - the equivalent of six marathons - in fierce heat.
Moore was in the same convoy in Afghanistan when Duncan's vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in 2009.
ITV News Correspondent Dan Rivers, who has been tracking Duncan's epic journey in Morocco, captured the moment the pair crossed the line.
Duncan's achievement was quickly hailed by Kensington Palace with Prince Harry following the progress of the injured hero he had journeyed with to the South Pole in 2013.
Duncan's wife Kim and daughter Lily had willed him on as they tracked him all the way to the finish line during the final day.
It was seven-year-old Lily's message that had helped inspire her father to keep up his heroic effort on the eve of the final day.
Duncan said her message that he "can do it" was "mega" at a point in the race when his body was failing him.
Duncan battled a hamstring injury and total exhaustion but refused to quit the Marathon des Sables through the desert.
Rivers said he faced worsening weather on the final day.
"It's been incredibly windy today," he said. "Sandstorms (have been) blowing into his eyes all day - combined with the fact that he's also been really ill with heat exhaustion overnight - (but it) hasn't stopped him."
Duncan's last day started with drama. After vomiting with severe dehydration overnight, he headed back to the start line for the final day on an empty stomach.
Duncan came agonisingly close to finishing last year's race, but had to pull out on the last days due to severe chaffing on his stumps.
His successful effort this time came on new high-tech prosthetic legs made in Italy.
Duncan became the first double leg amputee to ski to the South Pole, a challenge that saw him share a tent with Prince Harry.
The royal had wished him well during a surprise visit captured by ITV News during training for Marathon des Sables.
You can donate to Duncan's chosen charity, Walking with the Wounded, by visiting his fundraising page