The Marathon des Sables is not for the faint hearted.

Competitors have to navigate themselves 145 miles across the Moroccan Sahara, carrying everything they need in a rucksack on their back, in sweltering temperatures that would make the average British summer day seem positively chilly.

Fit and ready to go - Jason French

But that's not deterring 33-year-old Jason French from Plymouth. He's looking forward to the gruelling six day challenge that's seen him training on Dartmoor and in the heat of Cyprus to prepare for the event.

"I'll have undergone 15 months of training by the time I take part," said Jason, who's being backed by Spar.

"I've had two spells in Cyprus, running day after day in the midday sun."

"I found the second time easier to adjust to the temperatures and now I'm starting to train with a back pack on - but I've still a long way to go. At the peak of my training I'll be running up to 120 miles a week."

In February 2004, Jason was one of three runners to break the course record in the 55 mile Thames Meander run from Reading to London.

He knocked 14 minutes off the previous record, coming third in the run with a time of nine hours and five minutes.

He said: "I was happy with my performance in the Thames Meander, and feel fit enough for the Sahara run. The only thing that was missing was the heat but the event was seriously difficult and there were times when I really struggled."

Jason compares the Sahara event to 'running five and a half marathons back to back in the most extreme conditions'.

If you're lucky you'll find a running partner. Picture courtesy www.saharamarathon.co.uk

There may be times on the run when Jason will find himself alone in the desert but that's not something he's unduly bothered about.

"I've been training on Dartmoor a lot, using a compass and an OS map to navigate across the tors. If the temperature was higher it would provide ideal conditions."

"Being alone doesn't worry me. My biggest fear is falling ill when I'm out there; heatstroke or not being able to keep down the dried food that we have to live on. I'd hate not to make it because of illness."

Jason is an experienced runner. He took it up competitively seven years ago, competing in marathons and cross-country events. When he read about the Marathon des Sables he was fascinated by people wanting to attempt such a seemingly impossible task.

"The idea of competing came while I was on holiday in Cyprus and running in the midday sun in high temperatures. I began to believe that I could run the event, and with enough training and proper preparation, do it well," said the systems analyst.

Lining up at the start of the race. Picture courtesy www.saharamarathon.co.uk

The annual event attracts well over 600 competitors from around 30 countries and runners have to raise around £2,500 to cover entrance costs etc.

They also work hard to encourage people to sponsor them on the run and Jason is raising money for the Facing Africa charity.

And does he intend to win?

"My main aim is just to finish," he said. "But I'd love to be in the first 100."

Article updated: 28th February 2004.