Page dedicated to providing coverage and updates of Coastguard Rescue Officer Rachel Nicholls-Lee’s epic fundraising challenge taking part in the Marathon des Sables – a 250km ultramarathon over six days across the Sahara Desert.
SATURDAY 29TH APRIL 2023
It’s been an anxious few days at The Coastguard Association after seeing online that Coastguard Rescue Officer Rachel Nicholls-Lee had been withdrawn from the Marathon des Sables.
Thankfully we can now report she is safe and well and is recuperating in Ouarzazate, Morocco before flying back to the UK on Monday.
Rachel said: “I felt so strong for the first three days but my body disagreed shortly after I crossed the finish on the third day. The staff were so lovely, but there were far more seriously ill people out there (being airlifted out with IV drips and needing CPR) so I got doused with water, patted on the head and sent back to my tent.
“I couldn’t keep much in me for a few hours after that, and we’re all operating on a calorie deficit out here, so started Day 4 on very negative beans. The 4km of uphill sand just sapped what little I had left and we had a time cut off just after checkpoint 2 for the start of the ascent of the jebel for the second time and I was simply going too slowly in the peak heat of the day and didn’t make it.
“My body said no, and it was time to respect it.”
By this point, almost 20 percent of the total number of participants had withdrawn and we are all so proud of Rachel for making it this far in an event described as the toughest footrace on earth – a 250km ultramarathon over six days through the Sahara Desert.
Rachel has raised an incredible amount of money for The Coastguard Association with her current total sitting at over £5,000. You can still donate and show your support at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/from-sea-to-sand
A massive thank you to Rachel for her incredible efforts and we will post further updates in the coming days once Rachel arrives back in the UK.
SUNDAY 23RD APRIL 2023
The day has arrived for Coastguard Rescue Officer Rachel Nicolls-Lee as the Marathon des Sables gets underway!
Over the last few days, Rachel has finished packing her running kit, travelled to Morocco, arrived at the first bivouac, completed technical and medical checks, had her pack weighed to ensure it meets the requirements, fitted tracking and emergency beacons and within the next two hours will set off on the day 1 of the 37th Marathon des Sables!
Described as the toughest footrace on earth, the Marathon des Sables is an ultra-marathon which takes participants 250km through the Sahara Desert over six days, carrying everything they need for the entire time with the exception of a tent.
Despite being in the middle of the Sahara Desert, you can track Rachel’s progress online and send her messages of support thanks to the wonders of modern technology. Visit https://live.marathondessables.com/en/ and click on ‘Access The Live’ to track Rachel or click on ‘Write to a runner’ to send her a message.
Rachel’s run number is 1168 and tent number (required for messages) is 93.
You can donate to Rachel’s epic fundraising challenge at https://www.gofundme.com/f/from-sea-to-sand with all money raised going to The Coastguard Association – the charity dedicated to supporting Coastguard personnel and their families in their time of need.
SATURDAY 15TH APRIL 2023
This time next week, Coastguard Rescue Officer Rachel Nicholls-Lee from Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team will be on her way to Morocco on her epic fundraising challenge to raise money for The Coastguard Association.
Rachel is taking part in the Marathon des Sables, a 250km ultramarathon which takes places over six days through the Sahara Desert.
When Rachel was asked how she would be spending here last week before jetting off, she said: “it’s time to sort those final bits, pack, repack, repack again, keep the legs ticking over, stock up on sleep, and repack a few more times. Let’s do this!”
You can donate to Rachel’s fundraising efforts at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/from-sea-to-sand
The Coastguard Association is the charity dedicated to supporting Coastguard personnel and their families in their time of need.
SATURDAY 15TH APRIL 2023
There’s a big adventure coming for a very small person as ‘Wee Rachel’ gets ready to head off to Morocco on a fundraising challenge to raise money for The Coastguard Association.
The Coastguard Association is the charity dedicated to supporting Coastguard personnel and their families in their time of need. You can donate to help Rachel’s fundraising efforts at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/from-sea-to-sand
SATURDAY 8TH APRIL 2023
There’s just two weeks to go until Coastguard Rescue Officer Rachel Nicholls-Lee jets off to run the Marathon des Sables in Morocco to raise money for The Coastguard Association.
Described as the toughest footrace on earth, Rachel will be running 250km over six days across the Sahara Desert – all to raise money for the charity dedicated to helping coastguards and their families in their time of need.
The last few days have involved heat acclimation at Plymouth Marjon University, undertaking arduous physical activity in temperatures up to 46 degrees and 60% humidity, to prepare for crossing the desert.
You can help support Rachel’s fundraising efforts by donating at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/from-sea-to-sand with all money raised going directly to The Coastguard Association.
TUESDAY 24TH MARCH 2023
The training continues for a Coastguard Rescue Officer from Falmouth who will be running across the Sahara Desert to raise money for The Coastguard Association.
Rachel Nicolls-Lee from Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team is taking part in the Marathon Des Sables, described as the toughest footrace on earth. The race will see Rachel cross the Sahara Desert, running the 250km route over six days, completely unaided!
With just under six weeks to go before the event, Rachel has been getting the miles under her belt around Falmouth carrying full pack weight.
The Coastguard Association are busy working behind the scenes to make sure we can provide regular updates on Rachel’s progress throughout the event which runs from 21st April to 1st May 2023.
There’s also an unconfirmed rumour a 4cm tall LEGO minifigure from the World’s Smallest Coastguard Rescue Team may also be joining Rachel on her adventure so stay tuned.
You can support Rachel’s fundraising efforts by donating at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/from-sea-to-sand
Thanks to Rachel for choosing to fundraise for The Coastguard Association and thank you to everyone for the continued support.
SATURDAY 25TH FEBRUARY 2023
A Coastguard Rescue Officer from Falmouth Coastguard Rescue Team is gearing up for an epic charity challenge to fundraise for The Coastguard Association.
Rachel Nicolls-Lee has signed up for an event described as the ‘toughest footrace on earth’ – an event which will take Rachel on a 250km route over six days through the Sahara Desert, completely unaided!
The Marathon Des Sables ultra-marathon will see Rachel running over 250km across the endless sand dunes, rocky jebels and white-hot salt plains of the Sahara Desert in Southern Morocco, carrying everything she needs to survive on her back all in aid to raise money for The Coastguard Association – the charity dedicated to supporting Coastguard personnel and their dependents in their time of need.
A full interview with Rachel will be in the upcoming edition of Coastline Magazine launching on Saturday 4th March, and we will be posting regular updates during the event on our social media feeds as Rachel undertakes this incredible challenge.
You can support Rachel’s fundraising efforts by donating at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/from-sea-to-sand
Thanks to Rachel for choosing to fundraise for The Coastguard Association and thank you to everyone for the continued support.
