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Wing soldier aids comrades through the toughest race on earth
Colin braves elements to raise funds - and is set for TV fame.
WING rifleman Colin Oliver heroic battle with the elements to take part in the world's most gruelling marathon is set to be featured on television.
Colin, who overcame the sizzling heat of the Sahara, dehydration, exhaustion and mountainous blisters, finished an impressive 247th out of 1030 starters in the toughest race on earth – the Marathon des Sables 2010 run over 240 kms (150 miles) in full kit, during six days in Morocco.
And sharing a billet with him during the ordeal was former Olympic rower James Cracknell who was filming his involvement for The Discover Channel.
Cracknell succeeded in becoming Britain's greatest ever competitor in the race, finishing 12th, in an event which saw a stream of casualties throughout.
Colin, of the 2nd Battalion The Rifles and who currently works for the MoD, has raised more than 4,500 for The Rifles' Care for Casualties fund and Help for Heroes with money still coming in.
But crossing the finish line his only thought was thoughts of a giant gourmet burger!
He said: "I'm now back, tired and battered. The whole thing was a great experience. The scenery was stunning though I would recommend a slightly more sedate trip to the Moroccan Sahara to anyone.
"However, it was, as always made by the people involved. There are some truly heroic individuals doing events like this. People with feet blistered to bits, blind people, a guy with Parkinsons and many others who had to get through their own very low points throughout the trip.
"James Cracknell produced an athletic achievement of immense proportions. The rest of our tent mates were a great gang with whom I hope to have many further adventures.
"Thank you all so much for the sponsorship. I have more coming in so hopefully it will continue to increase."
During the event Colin, who grew up in Wing, sent back daily reports on the different stages through the desert.
Stage one covered 29km in 42C heat over hard salt pans, rocky hills, dunes and a river.
Stage two "was the stage from hell" said Colin. It stretched 35kms and "the terrain was absolutely unbelievable.
"The last hill was over 1000m and could only be summited going up the biggest sad dune you have ever seen. Food and water were short."
Stage three saw him running over flat salt plains as the temperature soared to 48C. "Truly truly horrendous. I had my first big wobble as the legs, ankles and feet began to give up on me.
"Fortunately another runner arrived for a chat and I picked up amazingly. There are some horrendous blisters on the feet of the guys in the tent".
Stage four covered a horrific 89km including 16km of dunes and tested everyone's endurance to the limit.
Colin completed stage five and the marathon after a six hour run through valleys and plains.
"We had a great treat on the last night – a small tepid can of coke for each person which tasted amazing. We had a French classical orchestra playing for us in the dunes.
"I couldn't wait for food and beer. A gourmet burger was on my wish list on my return!
"I finished in the top 25 per cent which I am very chuffed with."
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Weather for Leighton Buzzard
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South west
