A FORMER commando from Coventry who holds the world record in deadlift weights will test his physical and mental strength to the limit for good causes when he takes on the Marathon des Sables.
Fitness and life coach Sibghat Ullah will face the toughest foot race on Earth next month, braving six marathons in seven days in the heat of the Sahara desert.
The 43-year-old will use cash raised from the Marathon des Sables for causes close to his heart, including helping homeless people across the West Midlands.
He will also offer aid to the people of Pakistan, helping to provide homes and jobs for poor people and aiding victims of the country’s floods to rebuild their lives.
And he will be providing activities for Coventry’s young people to keep them off the streets.
Sibghat aims to provide a free six to eight-week boot camp in the summer for youngsters to enjoy rather than them having to pay to go to the gym.
Sibghat served in the Pakistan army for nine years and lifted 223kg to claim the AWPC world deadlift record.
But he said the Marathon des Sables could prove to be his biggest challenge yet.
“I’ve never run a marathon but I have run half-marathons.
“This is something that will really challenge me but I like that it’s tough – if it doesn’t scare you it doesn’t make you.
“Training is going really well – you have to do something every day to work towards it and you need to keep yourself mentally very strong.
“It’s very hard to see in a first-world country people are still homeless – I want to be able to go beyond just getting them food.
“And it’s tragic to see the situation the Pakistan flood victims find themselves in.
“My summer boot camp will be open to as many young people as possible as it’s important to give them something they can get involved in.”
So far, Sibghat has raised over £1,700 towards his £15,000 target.
Visit gofundme.com/f/darul-ilm-presents-marathon-des-sables/ and go to instagram.com/fitclubofficial__/ for more on the summer boot camp.
