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Guernsey runners complete Marathon des Sables

Guernsey runners complete Marathon des Sables

Monday 22 April 2024

Guernsey runners complete Marathon des Sables

Monday 22 April 2024


Drew Jonkmans and James Le Gallez have completed one of the toughest foot races in the world.

They have both been raising money for local charities by taking on the 38th edition of the Marathon des Sables, which covered 252.8km over six stages in the Moroccan Sahara desert.

Jonkmans ranked 220th overall with a total time of 41 hours 9 minutes and 44 seconds.

Le Gallez was 458th having taken 51 hours 45 minutes and 32 seconds.

He updated his progress on Instagram, detailing a tough time on the 80.5km Stage Three.

"We certainly were on a highway to hell," he said.

"This was the stage that I thought I wouldn't make it through, my mind went to some dark places I won't lie, but I had some great messages from people along the way to keep me going.

"I'd aimed for 15h but my ankle finally popped followed by an infected heel, rolling over the line in 23 hours."

He turned things around in the following days to finish strongly.

Rachid El Morabity was the overall winner (20hrs 42min 19 secs), his 10th victory in the event, with his brother Mohamed and Aziz Yachou completing the podium.

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