Michael BOOTH (GBR)

Michael BOOTH, 63, has had - and still has - a busy life. As a Director of Company, his professional life has always been hectic. At the same time, Michael does not rest: he is passionate about flying light planes, motorcycle tourism, water skiing. And then of course there is running: "I've always been fit. I ran only two marathons in my life, when I was in my twenties. I decided to register for MARATHON DES SABLES in 2018, and that's when I started running more."

As from training session to training session, Michael decided to test himself on long distance by participating in a 55 km race in September. "I loved this experience so much that I cried. I felt so lucky and happy to be here and to run and feel so good... "

And so next April, Michael will be part of these 1200 "crazy" who will start the 35th MDS. Yet even if he had known the race for a very long time, he never thought he would take part in it. "The MDS? It's beyond anything I've done. It's probably a race beyond my abilities by the time I signed up. And that's why the challenge is exciting! "

Of course, like many other competitors, Michael fears blisters, fatigue, sand, dehydration, lack of sleep, of food... "The list of my apprehensions is endless. I hope to learn a lot from myself about this event. And then it will be fabulous to share this moment with so many other people."

A meditation enthusiast, vegan, with a lot of perspective, Michael always takes life on the bright side: "I'll be delighted to be at the start. From there, I will take every hour as it comes."