Paul Skipworth tackles seven-day Sahara Desert ultramarathon
But Paul Skipworth, 48, of Murrayfield, is only excited to fly to the Sahara Desert for a seven-day, 155-mile run – despite having to carry everything he will need on his back.
He said: “I love being in amazing places, surpassing myself and most of all meeting really interesting people.
“Behind the different ages, nationalities and occupations of the competitors, there is a strong common theme that runs through most of them.”
From racing ultramarathons in Antarctica to the Gobi Desert, Paul is no stranger to exposing himself to some of nature’s harshest landscapes.
His latest trip is to raise money for Overcoming MS after his wife, Harriet, was diagnosed with the disease in 2013 and asked for help through the charity. It promotes an evidence-based lifestyle program of diet, exercise stress management, and supplements to help control, manage and improve symptoms of disease, which affects the body’s central nervous system. .
On May 1, he will face the barren landscape of the Namib Desert, running the equivalent of a marathon – 26 miles – in temperatures of up to 35 ° C. If that wasn’t enough, he also has to pack everything he needs for the seven days of racing.
To prepare, Mr. Skipworth was a regular in the Pentlands, with his large backpack full of “survival” items, such as a sleeping bag, a red flashlight, a Swiss army knife, a backpack. survival bivouac, clothing, hydration system and a seven-day food supply.
Overcoming MS CEO Gary McMahon said, “We are truly grateful for Paul’s efforts, which are not only a testament to his mental and physical abilities, but also a tribute to his wife, who is overcoming MS.
“Because we do not accept funding or support from pharmaceuticals and other third-party companies, we rely on the efforts and generosity of people like Paul to change the lives of people with MS. “
Mr. Skipworth started competing in endurance events in the late 1990s after completing the Marathon des Sables in Morocco. Since then, he has competed in the New Territories of Hong Kong, Iceland, Jordan, Madagascar, as well as in the Gobi, Sahara, Atacama and Antarctic deserts.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to it and can’t wait to see the spectacular Skeleton Coast.”