A dedicated dentist will be running a week-long marathon through the Sahara Desert to raise money for a mouth cancer charity
Principal dentist Bob To from Blueberry Dental Surgery in Bracknell is taking part in the Marathon Des Sables (MDS) race to raise money for the Mouth Cancer Foundation.
He will complete 156 miles and will be carrying the equipment and food he needs in a rucksack.
Over the pass 14 years, Bob has managed to detect 14 patients with cancer and his early identification has helped them beat the disease.
He would like to raise money for the charity to ensure that everyone can benefit from early diagnoses and receive the best treatment and believes the race will be one of the toughest things he has done so far.
Demanding and gruelling
He said: ‘I have been training consistently for 12 months now, yet this will still be the most demanding and gruelling thing I will have done in my life.
‘I have done Spartan races and half marathons in the past. Most recently I have completed the Pilgrim Challenge, which is a two day, 66-mile ultra-marathon across legendary North Downs Way.’
The MDS is a six-day ultramarathon, which is approximately the distance of six regular marathons and takes place every year in southern Morocco.
Bob has been preparing for the marathon by practicing carrying heavy items.
He said: ‘My everyday training consists of some weight training and as you can guess plenty of running.
‘I also wear a weighted vest of 8kg at work and which will prepare me to carry a rucksack filled with all the essentials and food in the desert.
‘As they say the best things in life are just outside your comfort zone. I am looking forward to embarking on this life-changing epic adventure.’
Bob is scheduled to fly out to Morocco on 5 April.
If you would like to contribute to Bob’s epic challenge visit www.justgiving.com/bob-to.
