Former Sawdoctor to face toughest foot race on earth in desert challenge

Running 253km over 6 days, under the burning heat of the desert sun, carrying everything you require for survival on your back, may sound like lunacy; but for Johnny Donnelly, former drummer with the Sawdoctors, it’s exactly what he has lined for his next marathon challenge.

Donnelly swapped his drumsticks for running shoes back in February 2008 when he set himself the challenge of running over 1500 miles in four years to raise money for Irish Charity Seachange.

To date Johnny has run over 37 Marathons around the world, all in an effort to raise money for the worlds poorest, empowering them to lift themselves, with dignity, out of extreme poverty. On Thursday, April 1st, Johnny will fly to the Sahara Desert to prepare for the Marathon des Sables; a gruelling 253km Marathon which takes place over 6 days (7 for some), where competitors have to carry everything they need for the duration of the race in a rucksack.

Food, clothes, sleeping bag and all other essential items are carried on the back of the competitor and with mid-day temperatures of up to 120 F and 15-20% of the distance being in sand dunes, race participants face an extreme physical challenge.

The mental stamina of competitors decides whether they will go the distance or not and in Johnny’s case, mind over matter has become the mantra of his challenge so far. With over €300,000 already raised for Seachange projects, including recent restorative efforts in Haiti, Johnny is determined to drive further awareness and support for the foundations fundraising efforts through his Run Johnny Run campaign.

Last year Johnny drummed up a number of people to run the 30th anniversary of the Lifestyle Sports-adidas Dublin Marathon, together raising thousands of Euro for a great cause. With the 31st Dublin Marathon in October 2010, Johnny is again calling on runners, joggers or walkers to take to the streets of Dublin and run to raise money for Seachange. If you’re interested in joining the 2010 Run Johnny Run team see www.runjohnnyrun.ie

You can also keep up to date with Johnny’s progress in the Marathon des Sables via his online diary on: http://www.runjohnnyrun.ie/runjohnnyrun/diary.php


Marathons for 2010 (more to be added):

JAN Tiberias Marathon-Israel
FEB 27th West of Ireland Marathon
MARCH 7th Barcelona Marathon-Spain
APRIL Marathon Del Sables 151 miles-Sahara Desert/London Marathon-UK
MAY Vienna Marathon-Austria
JUNE Comrades Ultra marathon 56miles – South Africa
JULY Gold Coast Marathon-Australia
AUG tbc
SEPT Toronto Waterfront Marathon-Canada
OCT Venice Marathon-Italy / Dublin Marathon-Ireland
NOV New York City Marathon-USA
DEC Marathon PowerAde Monterrey-Mexico