Stanley takes on tough challenge

However, running one of Northern Ireland’s top motor companies must have seemed like child’s play when compared to running the Marathon des Sables, otherwise known as the “toughest footrace on Earth”.

The race takes place in the southern Moroccan Sahara desert and covers 251km of the most demanding terrain in the world.

This equates to running a marathon a day, with the bonus of two marathons on day four equalling 82km. This infamous long day means most runners have to continue all through the night or kip in the desert to break the journey.

Runners must endure the most gruelling conditions, the worst being the brutal 53 degree heat.

This race is hugely demanding both physically and mentally.

Stanley trained for months in advance; however, he believes it is a positive mental attitude over actual physical strength which would ensure success in the event.

To complete stage four, the long day, Stanley had to run all night long and he made it into the camp at 6am the following morning.

It was in this stage of the race where Stanley hit his lowest point when a fall dislocated his shoulder resulting in him dropping 200 places.

This was only the first of physical setbacks Stanley had to endure throughout his Sahara experience.

By the end of the race he had lost part of a toe, a few toe nails and not to mention a stone in weight.

The fifth and sixth stages were a 42 km marathon and 21 km half marathon, with 11 km across some of the highest sand dunes in the world.