Charity champ sets sights on toughest race in world

He is gearing up for the toughest race in the world, the Marathon Des Sables, a total distance of 156 miles across the Sahara desert in temperatures of 50degC.

Driving him on will be the knowledge that his efforts will be aiding the Walking With The Wounded charity, for which he is seeking sponsorship. The charity funds the re-training and re-education of wounded servicemen and women with the aim of helping them find long term employment after they have left the Armed Forces.

Adam said: “I’m aiming to raise £10,000. The charity is important to me as I know first hand the effects of injury on our wounded. The knowledge that what I’ll be doing will help injured serviceman and women will be with me throughout the race and hopefully spur me on even more.”

Adam, 33, whose parents Paul and Jen Chapman live in New Tupton, is a former Tupton Hall School pupil.

After graduating from Manchester University he attended Sandhurst for officer training before joining the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (now 2 Mercian) and served in Afghanistan, Belize, Bangladesh, Cyprus, Malawi and Northern Ireland.

Now a project manager working in London and the Middle East, Adam lives in Cardiff. He has been preparing for his hardest race yet by running most days and competing in ultra marathons in the UK.

“ I’m hoping to acclimatise myself for the temperature in the Sahara by going to a heat chamber at one of the universities like Kings College, London or Cardiff, by training in many layers of clothes and spending time in the sauna!”

Adam will be flying out on April 4 for his challenging test of endurance and stamina.

The Marathon Des Sables, which is the equivalent of six marathons and includes a double marathon during one stage, requires participants to carry equipment and food on their back and sleep in tents provided by the organisers.

To sponsor Adam, visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AdamChapman