A DIABETIC chiropractor is embarking upon a brutal 250km seven-day race across the Sahara desert deemed the toughest footrace in the world, which has previously claimed the lives of three people.

If successful, business owner Charlotte Hurst, from Kidderminster, will be the first British female with a myriad of health conditions including Type 1 diabetes to have completed the Marathon des Sables (MDS).

She also manages rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac disease and a thyroid condition. However, she has devoted her life to wellbeing, sports and fitness.

The 42-year-old said: “If I get to the finish line in April I believe I’ll be only the second woman with type 1 diabetes to have completed the MDS. There have been a handful of men that have taken on the challenge, but no one has done it competitively.”

A lifelong competitive athlete, Charlotte was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 28 and was forced to abandon training for three months while her body adjusted to the changes.

She said: “My diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis have both stopped me from doing things previously, so I vowed to myself I would get it under control. Paying attention to correct nutrition and being as physically fit as possible has really helped me get to a place where it won’t stop me again!”

Charlotte’s unrelenting commitment to training and physical endurance events balances her mental health, following a troubling period, when her ex-partner committed suicide.

“The number one reason why I do this is for my mental health, more so than the physical,” she said.

“I’ve always been a fitness fanatic but it’s because of how it makes me feel. My happy place is when I know I’m challenging myself and that's what I really get a kick out of.”

On April 21, Charlotte will conquer her most extreme challenge to date when she runs the MDS, heading to Morocco alone to tackle the feat, which takes place over seven days in extreme conditions, reaching 45 degree heat. The distance is the equivalent of six regular marathons. Her preparations have included running 90 miles across three days in December, plus a ‘mini Marathon Des Sables’ starting on Christmas Day, where she ran 20 miles a day for six days.

She added: “If you can't do that kind of mileage by the end of the year then you're not going to be ready for the ultra-marathon by April. It's ramping up towards that now so it's quite an exciting time in my training.”

To donate to Charlotte’s MDS mission, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/my-marathon-des-sables-2023-mission

Charlotte will use Medichecks testing data alongside an expert team from Birmingham University, including a diabetic nutritionist to optimise her preparation, tracking any changes she sees along the way until she reaches the finish line.

Dr Daniel Grant from Medichecks said: “Charlotte leads a very healthy lifestyle, which is reflected in her mostly excellent results, particularly her balanced thyroid and optimal vitamin and mineral reserves for sport".