TREKKING 156 miles through the blazing heat of the Moroccan Sahara, the Marathon Des Sables is billed as the toughest footrace in the world.

For David Ward, from Colchester, it was the challenge of a lifetime.

Participants tackle the unthinkable feat which consists of a multi-stage trek through the desert over the space of a week.

Runners must carry all of their own food and equipment for the duration on their backs.

Tents are pitched every night, but that is as far as the outside help goes.

David, 52, works recruiting GPs with Cimarron UK, based in Langham.

He decided to take on the challenge to raise funds for Cancer Research UK and Refugee Action Colchester.

Although he returned home victorious, David was never optimistic about completing the trek.

“I was certain I would not finish it,” he said.

“When I was driving to the airport at 3am I was thinking ‘Universe, please allow the car to break down so I don’t have to go and embarrass myself’.

“When I joined the queue at check-in it was like joining the queue for the marines.

“All this burly six footers were there, obviously ripped and raring to go, and there is me thinking ‘What have I done.’

“At the start line I was really terrified. I was outside my comfort zone.”

On Sunday, April 9, David walked 30k, before tackling 39k on Monday and 31k on Tuesday.

He remained on his feet for 34 hours to cover 86k on Wednesday and Thursday, before slogging through a full 42k marathon on Friday.

The terrain was wild and unpredictable, with David clambering over rocks and trudging through soft sand.

“The temperature was as high as 54 degrees - it was like being in an oven,” he said.

“When a friend of mine saw me afterwards, she said I looked like a grilled chicken.

“There was horrendous climbing involved.

“You are in it together.

“On the third day I made it back with one minute to spare.

“I was the last person to cross the line and one of the traditions of the marathon has the runners gather at the finish to welcome the last person in.

“The same thing is going through everyone’s minds - this is the person who has been out there the longest today, we know how hard this is.”

He added: “On the last day I walked past an ex-soldier, I asked him how he was doing.

“He replied ‘Not bad considering I had my toe amputated last night.’ “People really suffered.”

Against all the odds, David finished the challenge, successfully raising around £1,800 for his chosen charities.

“When I finished, I thought it would be really emotional,” he said.

“All I felt was relief.

“Since then it has been surreal, like it was a dream.

“You know you were there taking part because you have pictures.

“It was so full-on and you are so focused on it, when you come back you wonder if you even did it.”