John Nicola, an Australian Cypriot who is in great shape, ran during Easter Sunday in a marathon almost 250 kilometres in the Sahara desert. And he did it with noble intentions.
Marathon des Sables (Marathon of the Sands) is a six-stage running event through the Sahara, similar to running one marathon a day (one race equals about 42,000 metres).
The 49-year-0ld man had to cope with sand storms and temperatures higher than 40 degrees Celsius.
The athletes had to carry their own rucksacks, which included a sleeping bag, food, and antidotes to snake bites.
Nicola undertook this hard task in order to raise money for the charity, Optometry Giving Sight, an organization that helps people from poor countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America receive an eye exam. The marathon runner has already collected $17,000, with a target of $20,000.
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
