THE PRINCIPAL of a Sindlesham private school says that he is “ready to go” for his athletic fundraising challenge.
Rick Cross, who joined the school in September last year, will compete in the Marathon Des Sables endurance race which begins on Sunday, March 27.
The event sees participants attempt to run 250 kilometres (155 miles) in a multi-staged race over seven days in the Moroccan Sahara desert. Runners must be completely self-sufficient and carry their own backpacks containing food, sleeping gear and other items.
“I’ve got my kit down to eight kilograms, the minimum is six-and-a-half,” Rick says.
“I don’t know how anybody can manage to get their kits so light though.”
Wokingham Today first covered Rick’s story in January. Balancing the calories to weight ratio for kit has been something he has been working on since then.
He says: “February’s Pilgrim Challenge ultra marathon weekend was a learning curve.”
“It was two 56 kilometre (33 miles) runs and I had to carry my own pack.
“I gained a new found respect for the distances, but I picked up an injury which meant I had to take a break from running for a while.”
He is being supported in his training by Nirvana Spa. Physiotherapist Fiona Reid has help Rick to work on his strength so that he can carry his Marathon Des Sables pack and run, and he has been using sauna facilities to acclimatise to the 40 degree Saharan heat.
“I’m back up to full strength and ready to go,” Rick says.
“And I have already raised £3,370 through sponsorship for the two causes I am running for, which is amazing — any more would be a bonus.”
Money will be split equally between two charities, First Days Children’s Charity and Camfed.
For more information, visit: justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rick-cross
