SCORCHING temperatures, nights under canvas and sand stretching out to the horizon is all part of a serial fundraiser's latest challenge.
Alex Nye will swap his Reigate home for a week-long race through the Sahara desert as he seeks to raise £21,000 for Walk Once More, a charity supporting people with spinal injuries.
It will be the second time the software sales manager has tackled the treacherous trek, having first done so in 2011. With that and the London Marathon already under his belt, he is not sure what challenge is next.
"I finished the London Marathon in 2009 and thought 'never again'," he told the Mirror. "So I started looking for the next big challenge; I can't sit still.
"I am getting married in June, so this is my last challenge before I become a grown up."
Since its foundation in 1986, more than 12,000 runners have tackled the 250km race through the southern Sahara, known as the Marathon des Sables.
On April 7, Mr Nye, 37, alongside the other runners – including three colleagues – will depart from Ouarzazate, Morocco, carrying bedding, a week's food and water for the first stage.
Six days later, having hopefully avoided sunburn and poisonous creatures, and having reached each checkpoint by the allotted deadline, they will stumble to the finish.
"The hardest part is the marathon stage," said Mr Nye.
"It is 52 miles across sand dunes; last time it took me 11 hours. Some people stop for a rest in that one."
Mr Nye first discovered Walk Once More when the charity became a client of his at work – PGI software solutions.
Ever since he has done all he can to support the cause.
He told the Mirror: "There are a lot of charities out there. This is a small up-and-coming one and I thought it would be good to try and help them."
Between living in Reigate and working in central London, Mr Nye is short of sand and sweltering heat to practise in.
Instead he has run between 40 and 90 miles a week since last summer, including running to and from work some days. "I am feeling pretty good," he said. "I can't wait to see the sand."
Visit www.justgiving.com/TeamPGI-MdS2013
