
Richard Greasby, Head of Rural, runs the Atlas Mountains Ultra Challenge - 52 miles, 2days

At the beginning of 2024, I decided to sign up with a group of 25 others to head off to the Atlas mountains in Morocco and take part in an Ultra Marathon on the 12th of September. This will cover 52 miles over two days with some camping thrown in.
Some of you will know that I did something similar on the edge of the Sahara desert two years ago, but this one will have a lot more ups and downs! There will be about 12,000 ft of ascent over the two days with the highest peak being about 10,000 ft.
On the first day, we start in Oukaimeden and follow the old mining road to the village of Tadmante, joining the road of Asni and passing Berber villages nestled below the high cliffs of Oukaimeden. We run onwards past shrines, views over the remote Oussertek Valley and arrival at our campsite over the Tizi n Oukaimeden Pass.
After a second night camping under the stars, we start day 2- but heading up to the high pass of Tizi n Addi at just under 10,000 ft, to then follow a narrow mule path down to Tachedirte, which is the highest permanent village in the Atlas. We run a long descent, following the remote Imnanen Valley to Imsker, then climbing again up the deep Ousertek Valley, passing more Berner villages, through a juniper forest up to the pass of Tizi n Oukaimeden.
I hadn't originally planned to use this as an opportunity to raise money for charity however, Maggie's is helping my wife Carol, following her recent skin cancer diagnosis and treatment. This has prompted me to use my running antics to raise some money for them. I've already funded this trip myself so 100% of what gets raised will go straight to the charity.
Maggie's is an independent cancer support charity for anyone with cancer and those close to them. They have centres beside major cancer hospitals across the UK and I'm raising money for our local centre in Cheltenham.
They do a brilliant job, focusing on the things that make a difference like money worries, help with stress and depression, managing side effects and family support.
Any support is hugely appreciated. Its ever so easy via the Just Giving link below
http://www.justgiving.com/page/richard-greasby-1724933155531


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