A DREAM will come true for a York father-of-two in 2010 when he sweats it out in a 155-mile desert marathon.

In April, Adrian Brown will join about 700 other runners taking part in the Marathon Des Sables, a gruelling seven-day race across the Sahara desert in Morocco.

Adrian, who is a member of the Long Distance Walkers Association, said participating in the challenge would be like realising a dream, even though daytime temperatures in the desert have been known to reach the mid-50s centigrade – 131 degrees Fahrenheit.

The 40-year-old said he was “really excited” that he would finally be competing in the event, after forgoing his place in the 2008 Marathon Des Sables because of work commitments. He said race organisers held his place over for him, but 2010 was the first time they could get him back on the list.

Adrian, of Beech Avenue, Holgate, said: “I’m just really looking forward to it. I can’t wait. It’s something that’s been part of me for the last three years.

“I think it’s going to be a mix of pleasure and pain.” Adrian, a project manager for Network Rail in York, has been training for the marathon since 2007 and is currently running about 30 miles a week.

He will be going the distance in aid of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Network Rail’s charity of choice, and is hoping to raise £3,000 for the organisation.

The route will take Adrian through the Western Sahara, past a number of oases. “But they are very few and far between,” he said.

Explaining his race strategy, he said: “I’ll run for a certain amount of time, then I’ll walk for a certain amount of time, and that gives you an average pace.” At night, when Adrian will camp in the desert, his body will have to adjust from the searing heat of the day to temperatures below freezing. He will not have to carry a tent, but will be carrying all his water, food and other equipment.

The Marathon Des Sables will be the biggest race Adrian has competed in. He has previously taken part in a 50-mile race in South Yorkshire, which he completed in less than 14 hours.

He is being supported by Network Rail and TCM Engineering, based near York city centre.

To sponsor Adrian, visit justgiving.com/adrian-brown