Blind British marathon man becomes first blind runner to finish 160-mile trek
A British marathon runner has become the first blind athlete to complete the 'toughest footrace on Earth', which saw him run almost 160 miles across the Sahara Desert, the Daily Mail reported.
Dave Heeley, 57, from West Bromwich, ran the gruelling challenge over six days as he battled through sand dunes, dried river beds and rocks.
The super-fit father-of-three, known affectionately by his friends as 'Blind Dave', took part in the Marathon des Sables where competitors carry provisions on their backs and temperatures can rise to 50 degrees.
Mr Heeley - who became the first blind man to run seven marathons on seven continents in 2008 - set off on April 5 and hopes to raise more than £30,000 for charity.
He was joined by two guides and friends Rosemary Rhodes and Tony Ellis.
The 57-year-old crossed the finish line on Friday after running 156 miles and camping in the desert.
His wife, Debbie, 48, said: 'The terrain was something that he did not know how to manage.
'The team hadn't done any mountain climbing in their training.
“It took them a bit longer than he expected as a result. They were eight or nine hour days running in that heat.
“It was sweltering and he also had to go through sandstorms. The conditions were difficult.”
She added: “They had to do 56.5 miles straight and run through the night at one stage.
“They had to go up a big hill at that part and going down can be just as bad, especially if you can't see.
“I am very proud. It is certainly a tough challenge.
“He has done a number of difficult challenges in the past but this tops it. I am very pleased for him.”
Mr Heeley has been raising money for the Albion Foundation, a charity that works in partnership with his beloved West Bromwich Albion FC to use sport as a way to benefit the community.
So far, he has raised £20,000 but hopes to reach a further £10,000.
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