Marathon man: Bruce set to tackle world's toughest race

A Northamptonshire man is gearing up for one of the toughest athletic challenges in the world.

Bruce Donald, from Gretton, is busy preparing for the 2017 Marathon Des Sables.

It takes place between 7 to 17 April, in the Moroccan Sahara Desert.

The former Northampton Saints players will have to tackle inhospitable environments, like dunes, rocky outcrops, and across white-hot sand plains.

On top of all this, the runners have to be completely self-sufficient, carrying all their own food and equipment for the week on their backs. Water is rationed, and if that ration is exceeded a time penalty is issued.

The course changes every year, but always includes a long stage of 52 miles. Starting out in the Saharan morning, runners continue this run until dusk, then on into the night, not finishing until well into the next day.

Bruce is fundraising for two local groups, The Travers Foundation, a volunteer-run charity which helps 13 to 30 year olds living in Northamptonshire, Rutland or Leicestershire improve their skills in sports, the creative arts and the performing arts, and Ups 'N' Downs, which offers support and advice for families and individuals affected by Down's Syndrome.

For more information about Bruce's extreme desert running challenge, please visit his Facebook page or follow him on Twitter