Six Marathons in Six Days Across the Sahara // with Derek McEwan

Six Marathons in Six Days Across the Sahara // with Derek McEwan

From Blethered by Sean McDonald

March 26, 2026 · 56 min · Season 5 · Episode 81

About this episode

Derek McEwan prepares for the Marathon des Sables to raise money for the Catherine McEwan Foundation while discussing the challenges of living with IBD.

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. contact: seanmcdonald.podcast@gmail.com Catherine McEwan Foundation Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Sean McDonald

Guest: Derek McEwan

Topics covered

  • ultra-marathon
  • chronic illness
  • fundraising
  • personal challenge
  • Sahara
  • IBD

Keywords

  • Marathon des Sables
  • Derek McEwan
  • Catherine McEwan Foundation
  • IBD
  • ultra-marathon
  • chronic pain
  • Sahara
  • heat chamber

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Catherine McEwan Foundation

Places: Sahara, 35°C heat chamber

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