Singaporean Footprints in the Sahara - Racing 250 km to Save Street Dogs

2 Singaporeans are running 250km in 6days (4-14 April) across the Sahara Desert to raise $100,000 fo Please donate at www.geofundit.com/sosd .

Two Singaporeans are running 250km in 6 days (April 4-14 2014) across the Sahara Desert to raise $100,000 for a local animal welfare organization Save Our Street Dogs. About Marathon des Sables
Held in Morocco each year, the Marathon des Sables (MDS) is considered by many to be the “toughest footrace on Earth.”

Participants cover approximately 250 km (156 miles) over the course of six days. Duri

ng this time, they must traverse the Sahara desert crossing dunes, mountains, and brave sand storms and temperatures that can exceed 50 degrees Celcius, while carrying all of their own supplies, including food, clothing, a sleeping bag, and other items needed to survive, except for a small ration of water given out each day. About Project Saharan Footprints
Wei Chong and Ian have been training for ultramarathons since the start of 2013. Motivated by the possibility of finishing races in excess of 42 km, they signed up for the Sundown Marathon 100km and trained progressively towards the 14 September event. To get the confidence of running longer races, Wei Chong and Ian completed back-to-back weekend runs of up to 80 km from May to August. They also completed both the Sundown half and full marathon races on consecutive days in May. In an attempt to simulate the MDS' punishing conditions including the harsh terrain and heat, Wei Chong and Ian have decided to inject a twist into their training program since December 2013. Road runs became a mean to cultivate speed and stamina while the key focus were to maintain long distances on sand, trail and hill runs during the hottest hours in Singapore. Four times a week, they will hit the sandy beaches of East Coast, run the undalating trails from MacRitchie to Bukit Timah, work on hill repeats at Bukit Timah, as well as run the Southern Ridges to Mount Faber and train on stairs. In the last 3 months leading up to the race in April 2014, Wei Chong and Ian will ramp up their weekly mileage from 65 km to 110 km over 5 runs a week. They will also be training with a backpack that weighs at least 10kg by end February, up from the current 3kg they train with. From 10th to 12th January, they will be travelling to Hong Kong to train on the technical trails in Lantau with elevation of more than 3000 feet to test their running performance in an unfamiliar terrain. During this time, they will also be testing out their kit and food packs to find the optimal configuration. As part of their preparation towards the MDS, Wei Chong and Ian will also be reaching out to fellow Singaporean runners who have done similar races to seek advice and get tips on surviving multi-day stage ultramarathon races in the Sahara desert. About Ian
Ian Lye has led a nomadic existence for a large part of his live, having travelled to more than 60 countries and lived in North Carolina, Washington D.C., Seville, Beirut and Damascus. He is currently back in his native Singapore working for Thomson Reuters as a Research Manager while also pursuing a part-time Masters degree at Nanyang Technological University. As the owner of 3 dogs, animal welfare causes have always resonated with him. The work of SOSD in particular has been a cause that is deeply personal to him, as he adopted one of the dogs rescued by SOSD 2 years ago. Although Ian has been racing for many years, he had never run further than a full marathon. In 2013, however, he completed a 100 km ultramarathon in September as part of his preparation for the desert race. By participating in the MDS, he hopes to help SOSD raise SG$50,000 to offset the astronomical costs that are required for its operating expenses. The documentary "Running the Sahara" inspired him several years ago to contemplate the possibility of running in the desert one day, so returning to the Sahara to run will also be the culmination of a longtime dream of his, having first visited the beautiful alien landscapes of Southern Morocco almost 10 years ago. About Wei Chong
Wei Chong has run countless races and marathons since year 2000. An avid adventurer with a zest for the path less travelled, he has backpacked across the Middle East and scaled numerous mountains in South East Asia. Upon completing his 12th marathon last year, Wei Chong contemplated ultra and adventure racing, fuelled by his passion for running and admiration for the legendary Ray Zahab. He is currently training for the Marathon Des Sables. Wei Chong graduated from the RMIT University in 2005 and is currently the Asia Pacific Marketing Communications Director for First Advantage. He has worked for companies like Shell and Premier Farnell over the past 10 years where he managed Corporate and Internal Communications in region. He has also spearheaded Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives where he led employee activities to raise funds and volunteer with Associations for the Disabled and Children's homes. Wei Chong strongly believes in contributing actively to worthy causes and is pleased to be able to help raise funds for Save Our Street Dogs through his participation in the MDS. Wei Chong is married with two children and his other leisure pursuits include reading, travelling and spending time with his family. Instagram: http://instagram.com/saharanfootprints

Photos from Singaporean Footprints in the Sahara - Racing 250 km to Save Street Dogs's post

23/02/2019

It’s a smoking hot day🔥☀️, probably not conducive to smoking fast times. Nonetheless, excited to put on a bib and race at home for the first time in 3 years!

@ Gardens By the Bay, Singapore

12/03/2016

23/08/2014

Thank you Minister K Shanmugam Sc for your incredible support as we race to raise funds for Save Our StreetDogs SOSD. All in all, we managed to help SOSD raise close to SGD 30,000. It is not a huge sum but hopefully it will help Hawk Cut Weis and his dedicated team house a few more street dogs. The Marathon Des Sables was a memorable journey and we wouldn't have succeeded without the support from many liked-minded Singaporeans. It was an honour for us to get on stage at the Chong Pang Community 49th National Day Dinner and we would like to thank all the ND dinner participants for your warm applause and encouragement. Nuke Optics Adventure 21 Chin Wei Chong Ian Lye

I invited marathon runners Ian Lye and Chin Wei Chong to join the Chong Pang National Day Dinner. They are two of the many special individuals who joined us in the dinner that night.

Both of them completed a 251km ultra-marathon across the Sahara desert and raised funds for a good cause. This Marathon des Sables (MdS) is considered one of the toughest foot race in the world, in one of the world's most inhospitable climates. Faced with the challenge ahead of them, their passion to raise funds for animal welfare group Save Our StreetDogs SOSD kept them going and they successfully completed it.

Ian and Wei Chong represent the strength and perseverance of the Singapore spirit.

Racing the Sahara Episode 1 BBC Documentary 2014

09/08/2014

So the BBC filmed a documentary on the MDS while we were racing this year. The 2nd and final part is airing at 00:30 am Singapore time (30 mins time) on BBC, with repeat telecasts at 5.30 am tomorrow and again at 9.30 am on Monday morning (all Singapore times, although u can watch it worldwide). If you're interested at a insider look at what goes on in the race, do catch it!

For those of you who missed the first episode, here it is again!

Racing the Sahara Episode 1 BBC Documentary 2014 Racing the Sahara Episode 1 BBC Documentary 2014 Four friends attempt to complete what some describe as the toughest footrace on earth - the Marathon des Sab...

Ian Lye and Chin Wei Chong: Leaving Their Mark on the Saharan Desert for Charity

07/08/2014

Thanks RunSociety and Jonathan Chou for writing this story and bringing back those wonderful Marathon Des Sables memories. Made us feel so nostalgic that we just might have to sign up for the 30th anniversary of the MDS next year! ;)

Ian Lye and Chin Wei Chong: Leaving Their Mark on the Saharan Desert for Charity Ian Lye and Chin Wei Chong may look like your typical Singaporean runners, but they accomplished what many dreamed, and few have achieved. The duo embarked on

Project Sahara Footprints - Marathon Des Sables 2014 to Raise Funds for Homeless Dogs in Singapore

02/05/2014

Just a couple of hours left to donate if you haven't already done so! :)

Project Sahara Footprints - Marathon Des Sables 2014 to Raise Funds for Homeless Dogs in Singapore In April 2014, 2 Singaporeans - Ian and Wei Chong, took on the challenge of their lives, as they ran the Marathon des Sables: 250km over 6 days, across the S...

250km Thru Sahara Desert@ Marathon Des Sables | PrisChew.com

01/05/2014

Thank you Pris Cilla for this great post-race interview! :) Read on if you want to get an idea for what it was really like out there!

250km Thru Sahara Desert@ Marathon Des Sables | PrisChew.com Running six days and 250 kilometres across the sandy Sahara Desert, while braving scorching heat of up to 50 degrees Celsius along the way!

Malaysian AIDS Foundation Marathon des Sables 2014 Challenge | SimplyGiving.com

21/04/2014

Our good friends from Team Malaysia are seeking to raise funds for the Malaysia AIDS Foundation through their participation in the Marathon Des Sables this year. They have since completed this incredible journey, passing with flying colours! Now we seek your help to support them in their quest to improve the lives of underprivileged men, women and children living with HIV. Click on the link below to donate today! You can also visit their page to find out more: Malaysian AIDS Foundation Marathon des Sables 2014 Challenge.

Malaysian AIDS Foundation Marathon des Sables 2014 Challenge | SimplyGiving.com Fundraise in Malaysian AIDS Foundation Marathon des Sables 2014 Challenge with SimplyGiving.com and donate to the charity of your choice. It's easy, fast & totally secure.