Derek McEwan is preparing to take on the Marathon des Sables, a six-day, 250km ultra-marathon across the Sahara, where runners carry their own supplies and face extreme heat and cold.

He’s doing it to raise money for the Catherine McEwan Foundation, set up in memory of his mum, who died aged 37 after living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease for 21 years. The charity supports people dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, and the daily realities of IBD.

To understand the challenge, I joined Derek in a 35°C heat chamber session with humidity and reduced oxygen. Even over an hour, the strain on breathing, heart rate, and effort levels was clear, offering a glimpse into both the race conditions and the ongoing reality for those living with IBD.

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Catherine McEwan Foundation

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