Stags’ supporter Chris Vasper is currently in training for the Marathon des Sables, an incredibly tough running event taking place across the Southern Moroccan Sahara.
Chris will be running a total of 150 miles across six days for the charity ‘Walking with the Wounded’.
Training for the event, he’s been running between 70 and 80 miles a week, although nothing could possibly prepare him for the intense nature of the run.
The Mansfield-based ex-soldier will be part of a group of twenty taking on the challenge which consists of four stages; the first three require the participants to run almost marathon distance in each stage, the fourth is made up of a gruelling 57 miles before the final stage of 26 miles.
Throughout the event, Chris must carry all of his food and provisions in a rucksack – meaning at the beginning he’ll be carrying an extra 10 kilograms.
The challenge will test Chris both physically and mentally, with the essential equipment a necessity if he is to successfully complete the mission.
‘Walking with the Wounded’ was established in 2010 with the aim to raise money for wounded servicemen and women to re-train them in different industries. The charity is close to Chris’ heart and here is why:
“Walking with the Wounded was a ‘no brainer’ for me being ex-Army and I also have a son in the Army.
“I’m trying to raise a minimum of £5,000 prior to the event in April and I’m up to about £1,400 [now].”
If you would like donate to the cause and help the marathon man towards his £5,000 target, the page to donate is here.
Mansfield Town would like to wish Chris all the best with his incredible endeavours, and we hope the charity benefits enormously from his work.
