Four athletes supported by the University of Chichester have completed one of the world’s most gruelling endurance events.
The group took part in the Marathon des Sables, a seven-day, 250-kilometre race across the Sahara Desert, where temperatures can reach between 40 and 45 degrees.
The event is widely considered ‘the world’s toughest footrace’.
The athletes were supported by the University of Chichester’s Sport Performance and Rehabilitation Unit, known as SPRU. It is the second year in a row that every athlete supported by the unit has completed the event, with three placing in the top 30 of their age groups.
Their preparation included a multi-day heat acclimation programme in SPRU’s environmental chamber. This involved carefully raising core body temperature above 38.5 degrees to help the body adapt to extreme heat.
Athletes also received detailed performance data, including core temperature readings and sodium loss measurements.
One athlete, Charley Rogerson, said: “On day one of the Marathon des Sables I could already feel and see that I was one step ahead of everyone else because my body had adjusted. Mentally, I removed a massive barrier of concern – which was how I would deal with the heat- because I already knew.
“The heat chamber sessions and the tangible outcome was which were given to me afterwards in a graph meant that I understood exactly how to best prepare my body for the race and what to do during it to make sure the heat, the biggest concern for most, wouldn’t be an issue for me.”
Paul Hawes, who placed eighth in his age category, praised the university team for helping him manage the demands of the race, including heat, nutrition and carrying a 10kg backpack.
Every element of the programme was delivered by students, giving them hands-on experience alongside experienced practitioners.
Several more heat acclimation programmes are planned for later this year.
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