He completed nearly 400,000 steps and lost 14lbs in a matter of days
A Derry man has returned home after completing a gruelling 200-mile run across the Sahara Desert. It was a challenge he says had a “profound impact” on him both physically and emotionally.
Endurance athlete and mental health champion Danny Quigley, 34, arrived back in the country last weekend after completing the epic run in one of the toughest environments on the planet. The task saw him running in temperatures that averaged 37 C, where he completed nearly 400,000 steps, and lost 14lbs in a matter of days.
He said running in the Sahara was a challenge and that he was, “constantly breathing in sand.” The effort raised money for several charities and was inspired by a serious car crash Danny survived earlier this year.
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Speaking to Belfast Live, Danny said the scale of the challenge and what he witnessed along the way left a lasting impression.
“The whole thing from start to finish was insane,” he said. “This challenge had a profound impact on me.
“From the poverty of the surroundings to the pain of running, there was a lot to take in. It really sent me on a roller coaster of emotions. I went over there to complete a 200 mile run and I wasn’t expecting the environment and living conditions to affect me as much as they did.
“I couldn’t feel sorry for myself even though it was severely painful. Wherever I went, there were children running around with barefoot and wearing rags. The poverty over there is extreme.”
Danny recalled one moment during the run that stayed with him.
“I have this image in my head running through this village and I saw the mother and four or five kids barefoot as the sun came up,” he said. “I could see inside their home — a bare floor and fabric bags tied up that were their beds.
“Despite the simple living conditions, people were just getting on with their lives. It made me realise this was my choice and that I was lucky I could go back home afterwards.
“Casablanca and some of the bigger places have some modern conveniences but in the middle of nowhere, it is a different story.
“I ran through there and I was hurting, but I was just passing through. They still had joy and were playing in the streets. It was a strange wave of emotions. I felt grateful. It was a profound experience.
“I got it done and that is the main thing. I think it will take me another week or two to fully recover.”
During the challenge, Danny mainly ran back and forth along a one-mile stretch of road because of low traffic and safety concerns.
He added: “I knew the road really well by the end of it, I must have done 80 miles on this one stretch of road over the four days. At night, you could could see so much activity in the sky — it was incredible.
“I’ve learned a lot by completing this challenge. We’re already talking about how it would be an amazing thing to do a ultra marathon through the desert at some point. We think it would be a great experience for other people in the future.”
Danny regularly undertakes extreme endurance challenges to raise money and awareness for mental health causes.
The fundraising page is still open, and anyone wanting to contribute to a good cause can do so, here.
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