'It's a good story to be telling the kids'

A dad-of-three, who has just completed a challenge dubbed "the toughest foot race on earth", said he was hankering for a beer after crossing the finish line.

Marc Lockwood, from Effingham, Surrey, ran 156 miles (251km) across the Sahara Desert in Morocco over six days, finishing on Saturday.

The 45-year-old was one of 1,500 runners taking part in the Marathon des Sables and is hoping to raise £10,000 for St Lawrence School in the village, where his children attend.

"I'm feeling like I need a beer...[the marathon] is a good story to be telling the kids," Lockwood said.

Lockwood said he has been running ultra-marathons of at least 31 miles (50km) every three weeks since January to improve his stamina, having been "a 10k princess really" before.

The challenge began with the group being driven "out into the middle of the Sahara Desert" where they were greeted by a cacophony of music and fanfare.

"It was complete sensory overload," he said.

Each section of the marathon differed in length, ranging from 14.2 miles (23km) to 62 miles (100km).

By the end, Lockwood said was ready for the finish line, which he crossed in 409th place.

Though grueling, Lockwood, who so far has raised more than half his £10,000 target, said he relished the experience.

"I did really enjoy it and saw things I won't see again," he said.

The Marathon des Sables finishes for all participants on Monday.

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