Journey home after 2660-mile run will have up and downs

Local GP Andrew Murray tackled the gruelling trek over 78 days, finishing in Morocco seven days early and setting the record for the highest number of consecutive ultra-marathons ever tackled in the process.

Even though he only just hung up his running shoes and is due to get married in three weeks, the 30-year-old doctor said he could not resist tackling a few 3500-metre mountains on his way home.

Dr Murray, who averaged more than 34 miles per day and didn't take a single day off to rest, told the Evening News from Morocco: "I'm still deep in the Sahara, sitting by the pool having a well-earned rest. But the first plan is to drive my camper van all the way home, which will take about a week. I'm going to pop to the Pyrenees on the way back, do a few mountain climbs, some up to 3500 metres. I'll do as many as I can, depending on how the wedding preparation is going. I'll be looking forward to a nice relaxing honeymoon.

"I'm completely knackered, but I want to do something else challenging. I've always been keen to push myself. I've been to the North Pole, to the jungle, the desert. Once you get the bug it's difficult to let go.

Dr Murray, from Meadowbank, is due to get married on February 19. His stag do is planned for the 12th, which he added he "better be back for".

Until then he will be making his way back to Edinburgh, stretching his legs along the way.

He said: "I really enjoyed the whole experience, even though it is relentlessly difficult. I had a number of injuries and usually you'd be able to rest them up, but instead I had to run every day with a sore back and aching legs. It takes effort, but pushing yourself like that is an amazing, exhilarating feeling. I don't think you can beat it.

"When I do get back I'll rest up for a week or two, but then I want to try for the Highland Fling or the Scottish Ultra."

He added: "This has been my hardest challenge to date but easily my most rewarding. The winter conditions and the mountains of Spain and Morocco have been especially difficult but the feeling of reaching the Sahara is hard to beat."

Dr Murray set off on November 8 and finished up at Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, Morocco's biggest sand dune, on January 24. To date the marathon man has raised over 51,000 for the Yamaa Trust, a charity dedicated to quashing poverty in Mongolia. His aim is to raise another 50,000 in forthcoming months.

His extreme efforts have been documented by a film crew from BBC Scotland's Adventure Show, which will air an hour-long documentary in March.