Kate Mason, a well-known local long distance swimmer and Nordic walking instructor who spends most of her time training and teaching at Osprey Leisure Centre has just returned from Morocco after completing the 31st Marathon des Sables 2016, a 10 day trip incorporating a momentous six day trek across the desert.
Kate Mason said “It was completely out to my comfort zone and a huge change from long distance swimming to embark on a week of self-sufficiency in the Sahara desert with scorpions and snakes. It was an amazing event consisting of six marathons back to back in six days, carrying everything needed for the week except your tent and water which was transported in the support vehicles.”
Day seven was a charity stage of 17 kms raising money for Unicef with approximately 1200 competitors from elite athletes to keen walkers organised by a 500 strong French team of volunteers. Temperatures reached over 45 C during the day with many kilometres of sand dunes, dried river beds and challenge ascents and descents over Jebels. Kate went on to say, “Over 150 people dropped out of the week getting dehydrated, heat stroke, blisters or other injuries so I was really pleased to complete the challenge. I set myself the mission of Nordic walking across the desert and wasn’t disappointed, it was an amazing adventure, tough, emotional but an experience I won’t forget.”
Nigel Williams General Manager of Osprey Leisure Centre said “Kate has done some really remarkable events over the years but this achievement beats the lot purely because it was certainly out of her comfort zone. For the very first time she was very anxious about the whole trip, something I have never witnessed before even before taking on her channel swims.”
For more information on Osprey Leisure Centre please call 01305 824378 or visit www.ospreyleisure.co.uk
