{"id":3497,"date":"2019-03-20T21:50:04","date_gmt":"2019-03-20T21:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wordpress.satellite.mmu.ac.uk\/northernquota-old\/2019\/03\/20\/music-promoter-swaps-gig-nights-sahara-toughest-race-earth\/"},"modified":"2019-03-20T21:50:04","modified_gmt":"2019-03-20T21:50:04","slug":"music-promoter-swaps-gig-nights-sahara-toughest-race-earth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/satellite.mmu.ac.uk\/northernquota-old\/music-promoter-swaps-gig-nights-sahara-toughest-race-earth\/","title":{"rendered":"Music promoter swaps gig nights for the Sahara in \u2018the toughest race on earth\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every year in April more than1,400 hardy runners descend on the Sahara desert to run, walk or crawl the Marathon des Sables<\/a>. <\/p>\n

This year between 5th and 15th April the first of seven marathons in six days will be run where competitors will endure temperatures of up to 50 degrees centigrade amid the unforgiving terrain in what is considered the toughest race on earth.<\/p>\n

Manchester musician and promoter Matt Hibbert, 40, from Didsbury, is one of those taking part. Matt, who is raising money for Hope for Children<\/a>, has been running marathons for a couple of years and says this endeavour will be the pinnacle of his running career. <\/p>\n

Matt is a long-standing resident of Manchester’s music scene, back in the days when his only exercise was running local music nights and sold-out gigs at the Ritz. This meant being in the midst of a hedonistic rock and roll lifestyle which saw him burning the candle at both ends, and in the middle.<\/p>\n

Having reflected on his wellbeing, he has decided to turn things around beginning with an overnight change of lifestyle \u2013 no drugs, booze or cigs.<\/p>\n

He has transformed himself into an endurance athlete ready to take on the most arduous of athletic adventures.<\/p>\n

The Marathon des Sables is not for \u2018part-timers\u2019. Founded in 1986, it was the brainchild of Frenchman Patrick Bauer<\/strong> (coincidently like Matt a former concert promoter) who having completed a dash across 200 miles of the Algerian Desert, decided to share his pain with others.<\/p>\n

At the start of the race AC\/DC\u2019s Highway to Hell is played at full volume, just in case the competitors are unsure as to their predicament.<\/p>\n

\"Matt
Matt Hibbert, having completed a 60 mile training run!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The terrain takes runners across rocks and sand, shale and scrub, and along with their sleeping bags they are expected to take sun cream, snake venom pump, compass, penknife, salt tablets and distress flare.  <\/p>\n

The rules are stringent and there are so many ways to get disqualified it\u2019s a constant battle to check you\u2019ve been following the race dos and don\u2019ts.<\/p>\n

Is Matt concerned?<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is a worry, but a week before the race when I wind down training I\u2019ll spend a lot of time making sure I have everything sorted,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Each runner has to carry their own kit in a ruck sack that must weigh in between 6.5Kgs and 15kgs, which includes food and some water<\/p>\n

I asked him what 14,000 calories of food looks like, to which he replied: \u201cIt\u2019s freeze dried power stuff that you have you add water to, it doesn\u2019t weigh much.\u201d<\/p>\n

But, what about more importantly 2000 calories a day?<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it\u2019s anywhere near enough, I\u2019m going to try and sneak a few extra calories but I\u2019ve got to watch out for the weight,\u201d Matt explains, \u201cI\u2019ll be carrying water as well, but you\u2019re only allowed to carry so much or you get disqualified.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"MDS
Credit:  Cimbaly\/Alexis Berg<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Despite the the fact that the race pushes human endurance to the limit there have been very few casualties. There was a fatality in 1988, and again 2007, and not everyone completes the course, but apart from the crippling blisters organisers are proud of their safety record.  With an entrance fee of 3,500 euros per competitor Bauer has created something where, if suffering is your thing, you will most definitely get your money\u2019s worth.<\/p>\n

 Matt knows that 90% of the race will be in his head, but says he has no intention of quitting or finding himself among \u2018Les Abandons\u2019.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI won\u2019t know till I\u2019m out in the heat, but if you ask me now, I don\u2019t intend to do any walking.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a week he is going to Formby to see how he gets on with trudging through sand dunes. He knows it won\u2019t be the same but every element of preparation is key. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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