SCORPIONS, sunstroke and dehydration were just some of the hazards facing Andrew Findley when he completed the ‘Toughest Footrace on Earth’.

The 51-year-old businessman from Poole, finished 36th out of around 1,500. competitors including legendary explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes in the Marathon des Sables – an epic 156-mile race across the Sahara desert.

Andrew, who was the fastest Brit in his age group, is no stranger to ultra running having finished highly in many races including the famous single stage 100-mile races Ultra Trail Mont Blanc in France and Western States 100 in California.

But he says the MDS, now in its 30th year, is a different league.

“I have never run so hard in my life,” he said afterwards. “On the last day I just ran without stopping and hoped I’d reach the finish line before I collapsed. It is the toughest race I’ve ever done.”

Andrew trained hard for the event running more than 600 miles in the last three months on Bournemouth beach with a heavy backpack.

But he says nothing could prepare him for the heat. Temperatures reached 50 degrees and he needed medical attention after suffering with dehydration.

“The heat is a real killer – you just don’t know how it will affect you until you’re out there. But the landscapes are so vast and beautiful in a way I never expected. It was an experience of a lifetime.”

Sir Ranulph Fiennes also confirmed it was the hardest challenge he’s ever faced. He finished 1192nd.

Andrew is raising money for Lionsraw, a charity that mobilises football fans to make a difference. He has already raised £8,000 through previous events but hopes to raise a further £2,500 to build a classroom for a school in South Africa.

To support him, please visit justgiving.com/Andrew-Findley8