Off Beat

Four Hong Kong Police take on the Sahara

One for all and all for one: The Marathon
of Sand's Hong Kong contingent ex-CIP
Chris Hanselman, Mabel Au Yeung,
Inspectors Justin Shave and Mark Sharp,
and Senior Inspector Carol Cheng

Last year's Marathon of the Sands was exactly that

THE Marathon of the Sands, one of the most gruelling athletic challenges on Earth, takes place from 29 March to 4 April in the midst of the world's largest desert-The Sahara. The six-day event (which attracts runners from former Olympians to polar explorers)included over 400 competitors from 30 countries, and this time four Hong Kong Police officers...

REGARDED as the toughest long-distance race of all, competitors will cover nearly 240kilometres on foot across the Sahara Desert of the southern part of Morocco in temperatures that can reach 42 degrees Celsius.

Participants have to carry their own survival equipment as they cross empty riverbeds and skirt sand dunes taller than tidal waves.

This is the 13th Marathon of the Sands, and for the first time a team from Hong Kong will be competing in it to raise money for the Society for the Promotion of Hospice Care. Their target has been set at $6 million.

Representing Hong Kong are three serving Hong Kong Police officers. They are Inspectors Mark Sharp and Justin Shave, and Senior Inspector Carol Cheng. Also racing are ex-Chief Inspector Chris Hanselman and Hong Kong fund-raiser Mabel Au Yeung.

Team manager and former Foreign Legionnaire, Hong Kong banking exec Simon Murray

Appropriate desert gear

Support for the dedicated team has been encouraging particularly with the addition of banking executive Simon Murray who had taken up the role of team manager with great enthusiasm. Three decades ago as a young adventurer, Mr Murray served a full five-year term as a Foreign Legionnaire. so he knows the demands of the desert on the human frame.

The thought of the long days in the scorching heat and biting winds while crossing miles of varied terrain and the constant threat of violent sand storms has not deterred the verve of the Hong Kong team who have embarked on a serious training programme.

The Marathon of the Sands is considered to be one of the most prestigious endurance competitions in the world and attracts extensive international media coverage. In anticipation of the race ,the team members will be contacting potential sponsors to offer a range of benefits to companies and individuals keen to be part of this tremendous event.

For further details on sponsorships or donations call Mabel Au-Yueng, the society for the Promotion of Hospice Care: 2868-1211.