Marathon Des Sables: Pensioner David Exel becomes oldest Briton to complete run
BRISTOL POST/SWNS David Exell crossed the finishing line of the Marathon Des Sables on Good Friday
Sir Ranulph completed the Marathon Des Sables in 2015, aged 71, but lost his title to David Exell who crossed the finishing line on Good Friday. The semi-retired insolvency expert took just six days to run more than 155-miles - approximately six marathons - across the vast expanse of sand in southern Morocco. Runners faced the prospect of soaring temperatures, reaching up to 45C, sandstorms and the threat of dehydration, and were required to carry their own provisions in rucksacks on their backs.
I'm feeling pretty good, I'm a bit tired Davi Exell
It is considered one of the most dangerous running competitions in the world, but Mr Exell, who once took part in the Everest marathon, was unfazed. He had trekked across the Pyrenees and Himalayas, and trained for the race by running in the Mendip Hills, near his home in Wrington, Somerset, with his pet Labrador, Dora. Mr Exell's family were glued to a webcam which tracked his progress, as they watched him stay ahead of a camel, which would disqualify him from the competition if it overtook him.
BRISTOL POST/SWNS Mr Exell took just six days to run more than 155 miles
After crossing the finishing line he said: "I'm feeling pretty good, I'm a bit tired. "Sir Ranulph is not a close friend, I'm afraid, but that was one of the little challenges I set myself. It was really trying to raise money for charity." His daughter Lucy Coetzee said she was "amazingly proud" of her father.
GETTY Sir Ranulph completes the Marathon Des Sables in 2015
She said: "They have quite a full-on website and we could keep an eye on all of his checkpoints. "He had to stay ahead of a camel which, if it overtook any competitor before they reached a checkpoint, meant they were out of the race. "It's amazing. I had a chat with him and he is extremely emotional about it all but he managed to get round without any pain or injuries."
Best-dressed London Marathon runners Sun, April 24, 2016 Here are a few of the runners that that went the extra mile in Sunday's London Marathon. Play slideshow WENN 1 of 11 The best dressed Marathon runners
The pensioner had the backing of previous record-holder Sir Ranulph in his bid to claim the title of oldest Englishman to run the treacherous race. He managed to get through the ordeal without incurring any injuries, and camped in a tent shared with three pals from the south west. Updating a blog written by the perspective of his pooch, Dora, Mr Exell wrote: "Well, it looks as though old weedy white legs has done it.
GETTY Mr Exell said Sir Ranulph is not a close friend