Stanning set for sands of the Sahara in Rinder's Run challenge
Heather boosts Rob's Army team for charity challenge of the Marathon Des Sables
Last updated 8th Apr 2024
From her most memorable highs on water, Heather Stanning now takes on a new challenge on very dry land.
The double-Olympic rowing champion is part of an Army team aiming to complete the Marathon des Sables.
The event is billed as one of the toughest in the World, with the course over the Moroccan Sahara, and the team is looking to raise funds for the Army Benevolent Fund.
Heather's joined by Warrant Officer (class 1) Paul Carney, Corporal Natalya Platonova (who some viewers to Channel 4 may have seen on 'The Circle') and also Military Cross recipient Colonel Mark Nooney.
"It's 250km, self-sufficient, 6-days, it's going to be pretty tough!"
The team has been assembled by well-known celebrity Rob Rinder; so how has Heather and three other army professionals got together with the barrister, broadcaster and author Rob Rinder?
"Yeah that's a good question! Why are we doing this with Judge Rinder!?", said Heather.
"Ultimately it's Army Benevolent Fund's 80th year and Rob wanted to come up with this fundraiser to celebrate.
"If you're going to do a challenge, you'd better pick a good one, and the Marathon des Sables is one of the toughest races on foot in the World.
"It's 250km, self-sufficient, 6-days, it's going to be pretty tough!"
In the evening they will sleep in basic tented shelters, with desert temperatures dropping from the daytime heat to close to freezing.
Heather, who grew up in Lossiemouth and attended Gordonstoun School, won Team GB’s first gold of London 2012, alongside her rowing partner Helen Glover.
The pair went on to smash numerous international records before winning Gold again at the Rio games of 2016.
Heather then decided to retire on a high and returned to her military career.
"I think it's going to be pretty stunning - to start with anyway!"
Heather hopes to draw upon her experiences as an athlete to sustain her and the team through the challenge.
"I think there's a huge amount of mental toughness involved.
"The heat's going to be a big factor, so you might have done all your preparation in cold weather, but when you get there you just won't be ready.
"The majority of people don't run the whole thing because you just won't finish so the reality is that we'll probably run some, walk some.
"You might think, 'I just want to finish this stage and be done', but you must look after yourself because the heat injuries are a major factor and could end your race very quickly."
Heather was preparing in Cyprus (with a temperature of 20° slightly more suitable to aclimatise rather than the UK's recent weather!) and she was even choosing to wear more clothes than normal to train.
She also says the glare of the sun could pose problems when they get underway for real.
But will it just be sand, sand and more sand?
"I think it's going to be pretty stunning - to start with anyway!
"I've heard there's quite a lot of up-and-down, but I don't just want all soft sand dunes.
"The terrain is meant to be quite varied but just so long as there's not a long straight view of desert nothingness for 6-days."
Rob Rinder said there have already been words of caution: "I keep getting these incredibly vexed and concerned messages from people going 'you're going to die out there!', but it's just a warm walk!
"For me this is about celebrating our Armed Forces which are one of the few things that galvanize and we can share with all communities because they represent the best of who this nation is, at our very best, from everywhere.”
Heather adds that schedules and work have limited contact between the team up until now, with the first proper meet up likely to be at the airport heading out.
The ubiquitous WhatsApp group has already been set up to cope with the practicalities, such as kit, rucksacks, trainers, food - although she admits to some "great cameraderie" already among the group.
The Army Benevolent Fund is the British Army’s national charity, with the fundraiser aiming to bolster the financial and emotional support given to serving soldiers, former soldiers and their immediate families.
You can find out more about the challenge here