MONMOUTH runner Simon Dimmer will be travelling out to Morocco at the beginning of April to take on the Marathon Des Sable (MDS) for a second time.

After tackling the "ultra-marathon" last year, Simon was asked to complete the gruelling event again, with the added incentive that he would be tackling the 156 mile run with a national treasure.

"I'm going back because I had an email from my coach from last year, Rory Coleman. He is I guess the number one guy to go to for Marathon de Sable as he's done it eleven times," said Simon.

"This year he had a call from Sir Ranulph Fiennes, the world's greatest living explorer. He's the only guy to climb Everest and cross both poles. He's trying to become the oldest gentleman to complete this race, so Rory sent me an email saying would I fancy going back as I'd have the experience of sharing a tent with not only Rory but Sir Ranulph Fiennes."

Running a marathon a day over the course of a week, with a rest on day five, the MDS is a tough prospect. Add in the fact that it takes place in the Sahara desert, in temperatures approaching 50 degrees celsius, and the addition of a 'long stage' at more than 50 miles half way through, you get an idea as to just how difficult the toughest footrace on earth is.

Competing again, Simon has the benefit of hindsight to help him prepare for the run.

"I took a lot of chemical foods last time. This time I'm going to take a lot more natural foods, like nuts and dates, rather than the pre-packed rehydrated meals as they take the water from my stomach.

He said: "The water ration is limited. Every six miles you go through a checkpoint and they stamp your card to make sure they know you've been given water, and you have three litres every six miles. You can only actually carry one and a half litres, so you have to tip the rest over your head or drink it.

"There is ample water but you do get massively dehydrated. I think it would be difficult to drink any more water but you still get dehydrated, unless you stop running."

Simon has also worked on his upper body strength as runners carry everything they need with them, apart from their tents with camps set-up by the organisers. Food, water, clothing and sleeping kit all have to get carted across the desert, adding to the difficulty.

"I'm a lot stronger this year, I'm doing 200 press-ups a day. What I realised is it's the rucksack that kills you, as well as the heat and everything else.

"For the first two or three days, when you still have a lot of food left in the rucksack, I found that quite tough. As I ate the food, obviously it becomes lighter so you actually feel better.

"It's incredible how little food you eat. You just don't feel like eating. You feel like drinking, I could have drunk a swimming pool, but actually eating food didn't really appeal.

"I lost six kilos last year and on the last day, the last marathon I did basically on an empty stomach, and so did a lot of people. It's amazing how the human body will convert its fat into energy and how little food you need."

As someone who has been there and done it, Simon will be helping Rory get Sir Ranulph Fiennes across the desert.

"Rory, who's coaching him, has described it as taking a Ming vase across the desert, because he's a national treasure and we don't want to lose him."

Having suffered from a huge heart attack, a three day coma, a double by-pass operation and losing fingers to frostbite in the past, Sir Ranulph Fiennes has also served in the SAS, completed more than 30 expeditions and circumnavigated the globe about its polar axis. Simon is looking to draw on some of that inspiration.

"Sharing a tent with Sir Ranulph Fiennes, I'm not going to be complaining if there's anything wrong with me at all.

"It's quite a good incentive, there'll be no moaning at all whatsoever."

Last year Simon raised £2,500 for charity and will be doing so again, raising money for St Davids Hospice. Those who want to donate can do so at http://www.justgiving.com/simon-dimmer">www.justgiving.com/simon-dimmer.

The Marathon Des Sables starts on Saturday 4th April.