Hailed as the world’s toughest race, ITV4 has exclusive access to a select group of this year’s Marathon des Sables competitors. Chosen from over 2000 entrants, 800 runners from 32 countries muster all their strength, skill and stamina to cross 150 miles of Saharan desert in less than one week.

The Marathon des Sables is renowned as the ultra multi-day marathon and this year sees the longest route yet. The equivalent of nearly a standard marathon every day, this gruelling task is not one to be entered into lightly. 255 of the entrants are flying the flag for Britain this year and while other nations have left it solely to the professionals, the British candidates consist of both male and female marathon veterans, but many are first timers, including fire fighters, airline pilots, models, army officers, barristers, veterinary surgeons, and plumbers.

ITV4 is following a handful of runners in this one hour special, as they prepare both mentally and physically. The journey begins with a punishing training regime, for many this includes running up and down the beach with a backpack filled with bricks or jogging in a sauna for hours at a time. Some of the British runners however, are woefully unprepared for the task that lies ahead. At the end of each stage in the race the runners are provided with water and shelter, but between these they must carry their clothing, food and emergency rations.

Tuesday, 20 May 2008, 9:00PM - 10:00PM ITV4