2009 Pepper News

An Epic Desert Marathon Challenge

26th March 2009, David Choules flew to Morocco to take part in the most challenging running event on the planet—The Marathon des Sables.  This is a 6-day endurance race across the Sahara desert covering the equivalent of 6 marathons (151 miles) carrying all of his supplies on his back across sand dunes and rocks in temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees Celsius!  

David when asked to provide an account of his grueling challenge commented:

‘Well I made it, half a stone lighter and 8 toe nails worse off, but in one piece. I suppose I didn’t expect it to be easy, but can safely say it was the toughest and most brutal challenge I have ever set myself. 

The Sahara experienced unique weather and the first camp was washed out and the race was under jeopardy of being cancelled.  Thankfully, they managed to reorganize things and the race started a couple of days later with a challenging little 33km run through the highest dunes in Morocco and I am told the second highest in Africa. As you can see I was feeling fresh and leading the pack…. well not quite. 

Day 2 was a 36km circular route, from our camp taking in more dunes, a never ending salt flat and more dunes.  Every year the Marathon des Sables has a long stage and this year, as a punishment for having the first day cancelled, the organisers decided to set the longest stage ever at 91km.  We started at nine in the morning and I stopped running, walking and crawling 13 hours later.  By this stage the body was still holding together, although the feet had taken a bit of hit. 

The last stage was a straightforward marathon of 42k, taking in the customary dunes, rocky areas, hills and flats.  At last the finish arrived, after running over 200 kms, receiving the medal and hug from the Race Director, Patrick Bauer, I can look back, inwardly smile and move on.

I was the 7th Brit home and came 54th out of 850 entrants and due to the everyone’s immense generosity; I have managed to raise £13,500 for the Pepper Foundation.  I have a medal and no toe nails and Pepper has a very large cheque to help them in their marathon task of caring for children who are not so fortunate.”

David’s father Jeff Choules also held a modern Jazz night to support his son’s fundraising efforts at the Amersham & Chiltern Rugby Club on 6th March 2009.  The evening was a great success with 120 people enjoying supper with the Martin Hart Quintet playing jazz favourites and raised over £900. 

We have followed David’s incredible journey with awe and amazement and we are absolutely delighted that he has raised such a fantastic amount of money—from everyone at the Pepper Foundation well done and thank you to David and everyone who supported him.

14th July 2009

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