St Margarets mum to take on Marathon des Sables (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

St Margarets mum to take on Marathon des Sables

10:00am Sunday 14th March 2010 in

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For runners out training in the final weeks before the London Marathon, the run may seem like a daunting task.

But for one St Margarets mum, the marathon is a mere walk in the park as she prepares to take part in the Marathon des Sables – also known as the toughest foot race in the world.

The challenge sees participants push their bodies to the limit by running 256km across the Sahara in six days.

In temperatures of about 40C during the day, runners must carry their provisions with them, including their daily water allowance, food and venom kit.

For many it would be their idea of a nightmare – but taking part in the race has been a long-time dream for personal trainer Georgie Islip.

She said: “I’ve been wanting to do it for 15 years. It’s just a challenge to see if I can do it.”

The race will include running 45km across the sand dunes and completing a double marathon over two days. The mother-of-two admits her two sons, aged eight and five, are baffled at why she wants to take part in the race.

She said: “They think I’m a bit mad. I think a lot of people do. I’m very nervous about it, but am just trying to think positive.”

But she is hoping the challenge will teach them that anything can be achieved if you put your mind to it.

“If you think you can only do so much, that’s all you will do,” she added.

Ms Islip, 42, is also hoping to raise £5,000 for the Foundation for the Relief of Disabled Orphans (Frodo), which has Twickenham and St Margarets branch.

She said thinking about the charity and those who have sponsored her keeps her going when training gets tough.

She said: ”My little mantra is that the pain is only temporary.

“I also think about all the people that are sponsoring me. I couldn’t let them down.”

The race begins on April 1.

To make a donation visit justgiving.com/georgie-islip.