whipped through in 5:25, leaving a 2:09 final stage.Bravo!If you're as awed by Jamie's achievement as we are at RW Towers, you can sponsor Jamie online.

for the third consecutive year in 2010 completing the total distance in 19:55:08, has won four MdS titles. The winner of last year's race was Rachid Morabity, Mohamed Ahansal's pupil and fellow countryman, in a time of 20:58:19. It was the longest race yet

Stage 3 (22 miles in 31C heat): 4:34:30Stage 4 (51 miles in 39C heat): 14:10:25Jamie says: I finished the long stage last night, running 51 miles in just over 14 hours. It was brutal. The terrain was relentless - it started with a climb that made

on earth - why wouldn’t I want to give it a go?First stepsMy first challenge was breaking the news to my girlfriend, who while incredibly supportive was less than impressed by the documentary I showed her of James Cracknell’s adventures in the 2010 MdS

Stage 1 : 33KThe first 13K of the stage was on the flat. The ground was uneven but firm and I was feeling fine. In the distance were towering sand dunes that shimmered like silk; they turned out to be the next part of the route and stunning though

. In fact, it would be more useful to run wearing most of the kit and equipment. For pre-race competitions your best bet is the Newcastle Town Moor Marathon in chilly mid-November.Date: 10-18 DecemberPlace: Patriot Hills, AntarcticaCost: £8,180Get involved

for the third consecutive year in 2010 completing the total distance in 19:55:08, has won four MdS titles. The most successful British competitor is double Olympic gold medalist James Cracknell who finished 12th in 2010. You may have seen the documentary aired

with the orchestra, so we've had a concert, eaten the last of the emergency peanut M&Ms and used all the stove fuel for cups of tea. Tomorrow we have 17K to complete the race. It sounds like a tiny distance compared with what we've faced every day up to now, but my

stage wondering if I could do well at the MdS. On paper I'm an okay runner. I was first lady at the 2006 North Pole Marathon, second lady at the Himalayan 100-mile stage race in 2005 and I have a respectable marathon PB of 3:14. But after developing bad

sub-3:00 marathons, long-distance triathlons and the Devizes-to-Westminster International Canoe Race. His goal was to make the top 50 at the MdS; he finished 21st. Here's how he did it, and how you can learn from his impressive debut:1. Turn up