Keen Isle of Wight runner and long-distance walker, Kate Couch, is heading to the Sahara Desert this week to complete a double marathon run for MAD-Aid.

Kate, 48, of Newport, hopes her latest challenge will raise £1,000 for East Cowes-based charity MAD-Aid, which runs projects both the UK and further afield. 

The Saharan Ultra Challenge involves Kate flying out to Morocco and then taking part in two back-to-back marathons in the Draa Valley on October 13 and 14.

She also has the option of doing one marathon (26.2 miles/42.2km) and one ultra-marathon 31-mile/50km route - and she will decide if she is going for the longer challenge once she’s in the desert.

Isle of Wight County Press: Kate Couch approaching the finish of the 2023 Brighton Half Marathon in FebruaryKate Couch approaching the finish of the 2023 Brighton Half Marathon in February (Image: marathon-photos.com)

Kate said: “I have never done an endurance challenge in the desert before - so this will be stepping into the unknown for me.

“But training has gone well, and I have completed the Brighton Half Marathon, the London Marathon, the 100km London 2 Brighton Ultra Challenge and the 50km North Downs Ultra Challenge this year, so I have spent plenty of time running and hiking!

“There was initially some doubt as to whether the Saharan Challenge could go ahead, following the Moroccan earthquake on September 8.

“But the Action Challenge team, who run the desert event, were swift to evaluate the damage and reassure us that everything could go ahead as planned.”

Isle of Wight County Press: Kate Couch at North Downs 50km Ultra Challenge in JulyKate Couch at North Downs 50km Ultra Challenge in July (Image: Contributions)

MAD-Aid runs a community space in East Cowes, recycles medical equipment, and helps Ukrainian refugees on the Island, as well as managing projects in Eastern Europe – primarily Moldova.

One of MAD-Aid's big projects for 2023/24 is to renovate the neonatal unit at the Mother and Child Institute, which is the main children's hospital in the Moldovan capital of Chisinau and has not seen any significant investment since 1986.

Kate said: “I hope the money I raise from my Saharan Challenge can be used to help improve conditions for the vulnerable babies born in this hospital.”