TWO North Yorkshire runners have completed a gruelling 150-mile trek through the Sahara desert, writes Oliver Clark.

Graeme Harvey, 42, from York, and Barney Kay, 40, from Kirk Hammerton, took part in the Marathon des Sables, in Morocco, which saw 1,100 people compete in a six-stage endeavour in 55 degree heat.

Graeme completed the course in 37 hours and 56 minutes to finish in the first third of the field. He said: “I would have liked to have been faster, but I am still happy with the time I got.”

He had started his training two years before, and said: “The biggest part of which was doing more ultra marathons. Learning to run on tired legs was important, because you are practically running a marathon each day.”

His advice to other marathon contenders was: “Do not neglect doing strength and conditioning work in the gym, because you need to build up that strength in your limbs.”

Competitors carried an eight kilogram pack on their back, containing all their food and equipment. So Graeme set about dropping the weight of the pack through a diet regime.

He said the second day was the hardest. Runners were expected to run up three mountains, followed by a race across the sand dunes. He enjoyed the 50-mile run stage, but was relieved to finish.

Not content with putting his feet up, in 11 weeks he heads off to Andalucia to take on the Al Andalus Ultimate Trail, a five- stage, 142-mile marathon across Southern Spain. He said: “I run a training course and I encourage people to push themselves, so there is an element of practising what you preach. I also did it last year and really enjoyed it.”

Barney is director of the north-east branch of the National Farmers’ Union. He completed the challenge in 46 hours 58 minutes and has raised nearly £15,000 for Farm Africa. He said: “Farm Africa is such an amazing charity and absolutely deserves every bit of support we can give.”

Farm Africa helps African farmers in a bid to make the continent more self-reliant. Donations can still be made at http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/BarneyKay

The marathon was won by Mohamad Ahansal, 40, from Morocco in a time of 18 hours 59 minutes.