Midleton Man Robert Clarke embarks on a grueling endurance run for charity, already raising over € 2,000 for the organization he has chosen.

The athlete tackles the Marathon des Sables, a 260 km trek which consists of running six ultra-marathons in less than a week in the Sahara desert, from Sunday October 3.

He will face difficult terrain in an environment where midday temperatures can reach 50 degrees Celsius on a course that will challenge his mental and physical strength and put all his training to the test.

Dubbed the toughest race in the world, he will be one of 1,200 competitors aiming to cover 260 km in 6 days, carrying everything they need on their backs and sleeping eight in a tent each night in a bivouac village.

Robert is also using his unique adventure as a platform to raise awareness and fundraise for the Cork charity, SHARE.

SHARE is a registered charity that raises funds to try to make existing housing for vulnerable elderly people in Cork City more comfortable.

Excited by the race, as he makes final preparations for his flight to Morocco, Robert said he is not impressed by the challenge that awaits him.

“It should be crazy but good craic I hope. My resilience and conditioning training has been tough. I know I will be tested but my goal is to take each day as it comes. I travel light, with food for week, sleeping bag, cooking supplies, water and a few kit essentials. I will do my best to complete the course as a personal goal and maximize fundraising for SHARE. I am delighted with the response so far and I would like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement, which is already giving my approach a little pep. “

Robert has already raised over € 2,000 for SHARE. You can show your support for Robert’s SHARE campaign here – https://www.gofundme.com/f/6-marathons-6-days