Introducing one of our superstar supporters, the incomparable Ivor Stratford! 

One of our brilliant supporters takes on the extreme Marathon des Sables this April, and all our thoughts and well wishes will be with Ivor Stratford in Morocco as he races 270km through some of the toughest terrain on earth.

As he set off to the start line in the desert at the beginning of April, Ivor was feeling positive as he sat down for an interview before his epic challenge.

“I’m feeling pretty good. I’m looking forward to getting it done, but don’t want to wish it away.

“I feel like I’ve prepared as well as I can, while knowing there’s a lot I can’t prepare for. I’ve gone through lots of different scenarios in my head, but I know I can’t control everything. So, I’m trying to think about it, but not overthink it.”

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The Marathon des Sables is billed as the toughest foot race on earth, with participants battling intense heat, challenging terrain – from punishing rocky climbs to foot-sinking sand dunes – and disorientating sand storms.

What makes Ivor’s feat even more incredible is that four years ago, he could barely run even five kilometres. Physically and mentally, he was at his lowest ebb.

“I didn’t necessarily realise it then, but I was in a bad place. I was overweight and drinking too much. I was deeply unhappy. In May 2022 my wife came home to find me on the phone to the Samaritans saying I didn’t want to be here anymore.”

It was around that time that Ivor’s colleague, Gus Lambert, also a supporter of Dreams Come True, was seeking sponsorship for the 2022 London Marathon, set to be held in October that year.

I quipped that I’d love to do a marathon too. He must have gone away and talked to Dreams Come True because within 10 minutes, he came back and said ‘You’re in!’ When he told me about the charity helping children from the most social deprived areas of the country with disabilities and life-limiting conditions, I couldn’t really say no.

“So, that’s how the running and my connection with the charity started. That one conversation changed everything.”

Ivor, now 34, is a different person. He hasn’t drunk alcohol for four years and is incredibly fit with a positive ‘can do’ outlook on life.

Dreams Come True tells me how grateful they are, but I have so much appreciation and gratitude for the people there for giving me the opportunity to do that first marathon. I don’t know where I would be if that hadn’t happened. 

Now I am in a completely different place and so much of that is down to looking after myself, feeling proud of myself and doing something with a purpose.

After completing the London Marathon in 2022, Ivor has gone to do a series of half marathons, marathons and ultras, already raising thousands for Dreams Come True.

Half the £10,000 he hopes to raise by doing the Marathon des Sables will support the charity, while the other half will go to another cause close to his heart, Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted which supported his grandad in his final days.

The ‘Marathon’ des Sables is actually the distance of more than six marathons, although Ivor will only find out the actual route the day before the race starts. To mark the 40^th anniversary of the event, the total distance this year is expected to be around 270 km, 20km longer than the usual 250km.

It will also include the longest stage in the events’ history, at100km, which has to be completed in less than 40 hours.

Ivor will run with everything he needs – including loo roll – in his back pack, and he will sleep each night in a traditional tent, built for desert conditions, sharing with seven others.

Ivor says: “I’ve been obsessed with the race for years. I know there will be times when I think ‘What am I doing?’ but as soon as it’s over, I’ll probably want to go again.

“I’ll miss my wife, my dog and my home comforts, but humans are pretty good at adapting so I am hoping that after a couple of days it will start to feel almost normal.

Ivor and his wife Claire after completing the London Marathon in 2023

“I’m also looking forward to meeting some very interesting fellow race goers. I’m sure many of them will have a tale to tell.”

Training conditions through the British winter haven’t been the ideal preparation, and Ivor has often been found running on the treadmill with heavy weights in his backpack, wearing as many clothes as possible, getting used to being ‘very sweaty and very dehydrated’.

“My aim is to run the whole thing, but I know that is not going to be possible. You can’t run up the dunes – my feet will sink into the sand likes it’s water. Then I’ll be marching with purpose.”

During the toughest moments, it will be thinking about the children that Dreams Come True helps that will pull him through.

“When I am doing a long run and feeling awful, I always remind myself that I have a choice. The people the charity supports don’t have a choice about the situation they are in. So, when I am in the middle of the Sahara, whinging or complaining about sleeping in the sand, I’ll remind myself to get over it and keep putting one foot in front of the other.”

Ivor, you're the definition of a #DreamMaker, and we'll be cheering you on every step of the way! 

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