A MUM from Davenham is heading to the Sahara Desert tomorrow, Thursday, to fulfill a 13-year dream and represent Great Britain in the world's toughest race.

Hayley White will take on the Marathon des Sables, a 155-mile six-day run across the Sahara, starting on Sunday, April 10, and finishing on Saturday, April 16.

"It's been a great journey so far," she said.

"It's been my life since 2003 and now it's coming to fruition."

The Marathon des Sables is open to just 1,000 competitors from across the globe, with between 250 and 300 chosen from the UK.

Athletes have to run the distance over dunes, salt flats and rocky terrain in fierce temperatures, as well as carrying all of their food and survival equipment for the six days.

The entry fee alone is £4,000, with athletes spending around another £6,000 on equipment and insurance.

Hayley, who runs her own personal training business, has completed her distance training and has been focussing on acclimatising herself to extreme temperatures, running for 90 minutes in a heat chamber at Leeds University that reaches temperatures of 50 degrees Celsius.

"I'm prepared, I'm ready to go and I'm desperate to get out there now," said Hayley, who lives in Charles Avenue with her husband Andy and six-year-old son Freddie.

"I've done an awful lot of long distance training so the distance is no problem, it's just getting into the heat chamber," she said.

"I'm more excited than nervous – I've done heat chamber sessions so I'm aware of how it feels and what my body does.

"It will make me aware when I'm out there if I start to feel sick or dizzy then I'm up to my limit.

"You need to stop and listen to your body.

"As much as I want to do really really well in it I don't want to be pulled out in a helicopter.

"I don't want to sacrifice a GB medal for the sake of getting a better position."

Hayley, who grew up in Winsford and went to Woodford Lodge High School, is raising money for The Christie with the event and has raised £4,000 so far.

To sponsor her visit justgiving.com/hayley-white40