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The marathon man

March 12 - 18, 2008
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IN a test of physical, mental and emotional endurance, a 61-year-old Bahrain-based banker will soon attempt a six-day, 240km Sahara footrace in aid of The Palm Association.

Michael McKinlay, from Saar, is set to take part in one of the most gruelling running competitions in the world from March 30 to April 5.

The Marathon des Sables (MDS), or 'Marathon of the Sands,' is an endurance race the equivalent of six normal marathons, run across southern Morocco.

Temperatures can reach a sweltering 50 degrees, and competitors must carry all their supplies and food on their back.

"Some will think that I must have lost my mind attempting to take part in the 2008 MDS," he said. "But I am doing this because it is a challenge I have set myself and to raise funds for the Palm Association of Bahrain.

"My wife Heather and I have been posted to Bahrain three times during the past 24 years, and now we would like to give something back to the people of the country that have been so welcoming to us."

The Palm Association, an organisation run by a small group of expatriate women, provides help and assistance in the form of food, white goods and other necessities to local families and individuals most in need in Bahrain.

The father-of-three will need extraordinary courage and survival skills in order to complete the race, for which surprisingly, there is a three-year waiting list.

In the 22 years that the race has taken place only one person has died, but every year there are mythic stories of survival.

In 1994, Mauro Prosperi, a police officer from Rome, got lost in a sandstorm. He managed to survive for the next nine days on boiled urine and dead bats. Despite his ordeal he competed twice more.

"Some super athletes can will find the race just another day at the office," said Mr McKinlay.

"But for at least half of the expected 850 competitors, nutrition, hydration, foot maintenance and personal wellbeing will need to be managed with great care.

"I am older than most competitors and I am cautiously anxious. I am likely to be faced with a number of challenges, so I expect to be at edge from time to time, particularly on the long day. I have never undertaken a journey such as the MDS before and I hope to prevail."

Mr McKinlay, who is an executive director of private equity at Ithmaar Bank, has been in training since July 2006.

Initially he planned to race with his son, but he was forced to drop out of the race due to family commitments.

"Progress and commitment have at times been hard to find. However, for the past six months I have been out, in earnest, for most weekends in the desert here in Bahrain for anything up to 12 hours a day. Hopefully I have done enough training," he said.

Mr McKinlay trains most days in the gym, and on weekends he runs from Jau to Zallaq, a coast-to-coast stretch of 17km, back and forth up to four times a day, carrying a weighted backpack.

He also has consulted with a team of athletes and experts to help him achieve his goal.

A nutritional expert, Dr Justin Roberts, who helped a British team reach the South Pole in record time has devised a complex nutrition planning strategy for the banker.

Endurolyte capsules help replace the salts and minerals his body will lose and must be four to six times an hour.

Specially devised powdered high calories drinks meeting specific carbohydrate, fat and protein content levels must be consumed both before setting off in the morning, while walking in the day and when finishing at the days end.

Pointing to a harness arrangement he uses for carrying supplies he needs to access easily throughout the day he said, "I will need to consume up to 5,500 calories a day."

Water is rationed and handed out at each check point and he will need to drink a mixture of carbohydrate and water from his personal supply every 15 minutes.

"One of the most important aspects of this race is my feet," he added. "I have advice from an expert, John Vonhof who wrote the number one book on foot care for ultra-distance runners.

"I have had to learn about foot maintenance and blister prevention and repair such that I must be able to compete with blisters bandaged. I have had to take a view on whether it is better for me to race with 'hard' feet versus 'soft' feet. I am of the soft school so over the last month I sleep with socks that have been covered with lanolin to soften my feet."

Luke Cunliffe, an ultra-distance marathon runner who met his wife during an MDS race has also offered him advice and motivation.

Most important however, is the support of Mr McKinlay's wife, Heather.

"Without Heather's help I couldn't do this," he explained.

It was also Heather's recommendation that any funds raised should go to The Palm Association.

She said: "I felt we should give something back to Bahrain. This country has made us feel so welcome and the Palm Association do fantastic work. Initially, I tried to put him off taking part in the race out of sheer terror, but he is so committed, I am sure he will succeed."

Mr McKinlay will be joining the list of Palm Association fundraisers which includes Sami Al Kooheji, the Olympic sailor who last year created a world record by sailing non-stop from Bahrain to Dubai in a dinghy.

Founding member of the association, Kirsti Shaheen said: "We're used to approaching people for donations and having Mike make this offer of help is an incredible honour and extremely humbling."

Palm Association member Nadia Shaheen said: "We're nervous and excited and incredibly grateful to Mike."

Eibhlin Crosse, another founding member said: "Every fil is appreciated and can make a difference."

Mr McKinlay added: "Heather and I were moved by the enthusiasm and professionalism of The Palm Association all lady leadership who demonstrated a genuine passion to help those less fortunate and make a difference. No matter how small the amount you may choose to gift The Palm Association, Heather and I would be most appreciative to have your support."

If you wish to donate and support his challenge cheques should be made payable to The Palm Association and sent to either Mrs Eibhlin Crosse, The Palm Association, PO Box 1736, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, or Mrs Heather McKinlay, PO Box 30513, Kingdom of Bahrain. Tel 39944540. Mr McKinlay is covering all his personal costs and expenses so all funds raised will go to the good cause.







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