A West Cumbrian woman flies out to Africa today to take part in one of the world’s toughest races – the Marathon des Sables.

The MDS involves running six marathons in seven days in the Sahara.

Anne Frankland will have to carry all of her kit and food and endure daytime temperatures of up to 46C – and at night temperatures can plummet to 2C.

Twelve-hundred people will gather in Morocco for the annual race.

Anne, 43, a freelance mapping and information management consultant, has been training hard for six months, pounding up and over fells with a heavy rucksack and, more recently, sitting in a sauna in a bid to get used to extreme heat.

“The race will start on Sunday, and from then I will be self-sufficient for seven days,” said Anne.

“The organisers provide water and a shelter – a three-sided tent for eight people.

“We set off at 8am which means we have one or two hours before it gets too hot. I’ve no idea how long it will take me.

“There are a couple of

camels acting as sweepers. If they catch you it’s game over!”

Anne, of Kirkgate, Cockermouth, will wear full body cover, to protect her from the scorching sun, and gaiters, in a bid to keep the sand off her feet.

She has to carry safety kit which includes a venom extractor, to protect against snake and spider bites. She expects to get through up to 14 litres of water a day.

The participants will be accompanied by more than 40 ‘Doc Trotters’ – foot specialists who can patch up any problems.

“I’m getting a little bit nervous but I’m also excited. I was looking for a challenge, I’ve never done such a long, multi-day event before,” said Anne, who will be surviving on a diet of dehydrated food, protein shakes, dried fruit and nuts

She is raising money for two charities: Mind, the mental health charity, and Map Action, a humanitarian mapping charity for whom she has volunteered for 12 years.

“Map Action’s two aims are to save lives and help reduce suffering in the event of a humanitarian disaster,” said Anne. “We do that through professional mapping volunteers who are sent to the scene of a disaster within 24 to 36 hours, often working alongside the UN.”

To sponsor Anne go to http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AnneMarieFrankland