Mark Lewis Jones with Dr Chris Pepper
Welsh actor Mark Lewis Jones visited Lewis School Pengam recently to talk to pupils about successfully completing the gruelling Marathon des Sables, with fellow actor Richard Harrington.
The Marathon des Sables translates as ‘Marathon of the Sands’ and is described as one of the toughest footraces in the world; an ultra-marathon, taking place over seven days and covering 156 miles in average temperatures of 50 degrees centigrade in the depth of the Sahara desert.
Visiting the school on Thursday 26th June, Mark explained to a large group of Year 7 and 8 pupils about his intense training regime, and the physical and mental preparations required to take on such a challenge. He also spoke about the strict rules imposed on competitors; the fact that water was rationed and requiring medical attention could result in a time penalty or even disqualification from the marathon. Pupils had the opportunity to view the kit Mark carried throughout the race; each competitor was required to carry all of their supplies and equipment including food, bedding, emergency flairs and a venom pump in case of a scorpion sting.
Mark and Richard ran the race as part of their campaign to raise £100,000 for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research at Cardiff University. Dr Chris Pepper, who is leading the research, was on hand to give pupils an overview of his work and how the funds being raised are helping to advance medial technology in order to save lives.
Cllr. David Carter, Mayor of Caerphilly county borough Said: “Mark and Richard have achieved something truly incredible, completing a challenge that most people would find simply impossible. I am so pleased that pupils at Lewis School have had the opportunity to hear Mark talking about the intense training regime and amazing, life changing experience of running the Marathon des Sables, as well as meeting people so passionate about improving the lives of others. I hope they are inspired to do something which fully challenges them at some point in their life.”
