Marathons

Ageless Runner to Repeat Desert Challenge

Last year, SportsShoes athlete Bill Mitchell broke Sir Ranulph Fienne's record to become the oldest Briton to complete the gruelling Marathon Des Sables, claiming the much coveted "Best UK Male" 2016 trophy. Described as the toughest footrace on earth, the MDS involves a punishing 251km race in searing temperatures and hostile conditions across the Saharan desert. This year, Bill is back for more and packing his kit for MDS 2017 to break his own record, this time aged 72 years and 8 months. We spoke to him about his challenge before he flew out to Morocco to repeat his epic adventure.

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BILL, WHEN WE SPOKE AFTER LAST YEAR'S MDS, YOU DESCRIBED IT AS "TOUGH, CHALLENGING AND VERY HARD". WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO GO BACK FOR MORE?

"I just enjoy challenges and it seems the bigger the challenge, the more I seem to like it. I decided to come back before the finish of last year's race, and booked it on the Tuesday morning after arriving home."

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WHAT KIND OF PERSON WOULD YOU SAY HAS IT IN THEM TO COMPLETE MDS AND WHAT CHARACTERISTICS DO THEY NEED TO HAVE?

"They need determination and be able to see the challenge as something to be able to be overcome - and be able to enjoy it. The Marathon des Sables is 90 per cent about your mentality. It's about how you cope with adversity. If you say 'this is too tough' then you won't make it."

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IS THERE ANYTHING YOU'VE DONE OR YOU'LL DO DIFFERENTLY THIS YEAR IN TERMS OF KIT, LOGISTICS OR GENERAL RACE TACTICS?

"Training has been much the same as last year with heat and pack training, but with fewer road marathons and more of a focus on uneven surfaces to be ready for the Sahara surface. I'll be wearing the same kit, but I'll be changing my New Balance M1080s to a narrower 2E width from 4E to reduce movement and blisters. I'll take a longer sleeping mat and a stove to heat food - there's nothing worse than coming back to the bivouac at the end of the day to a cold meal! I'll also be making sure everything is ordered, tested, and have a few sessions of testing kit to make sure it goes in or on my pack. And most importantly, making sure I know where everything is."

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WHAT OTHER KIT WILL YOU BE TAKING WITH YOU?

"I'll be wearing my Higher State running tops and SKINS shorts which worked really well last year. Also my sunhat and Buff are essentials for sun protection."

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WHAT ARE YOUR 3 BEST TIPS FOR MDS FIRST TIMERS?

"Work at your own your pace - do not race other runners (unless you are good enough!). Have a rest if you feel the need to and look after your feet before and during the race"

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DID YOU GET ANY UNEXPECTED SURPRISES DURING MDS LAST YEAR?

"The respect shown to me by other runners and the camaraderie."

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AS YOU APPROACH YOUR 73RD BIRTHDAY, WHAT DRIVES YOU TO KEEP TAKING ON THESE CHALLENGES?

"I really do enjoy a challenge and to wake up in the morning and not to have something to work towards would be absolutely awful to me."

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The Marathon Des Sables takes place in southern Morocco from the 7th April 2017. The SportsShoes team sends a huge good luck to Bill on his challenge. Bill is running this year for the Starlight Foundation, and you can support his challenge here.

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