DUDLEY marathon man Mike Crannage has begun his epic journey to run through the Sahara Desert in aid of the Mayor’s charities.

Mike Crannage, one of Dudley Council’s mayoral attendants, is set to run six marathons in six days through one of the hottest climates in the world.

The 52-year-old flew out on Saturday night (October 8) to Casablanca, Morocco, and onto Ouarzazate to begin a camel ride to the start of his 155-mile run.

The super-fit council worker hopes to raise thousands of pounds for the Mayor of Dudley’s charities from the gruelling challenge.

Councillor Michael Evans, Mayor of Dudley, said: “I am hugely grateful to anyone who raises money for my chosen charities, but Mike’s plan to run six marathons in six days is incredible. He’ll be keeping us updated on his journey with online diary entries each day, so we will all be able to see his progress.

“I know the fundraising total is growing all the time, so that will be a huge boost for the two charities this year.”

The challenge comes just a year after a trek through the Arctic in temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Celsius, from which he raised thousands for the Mayor of Dudley’s charities.

The latest challenge aims to raise cash for the Dudley Group of Hospitals charity, raising much-needed funds for leukaemia patients and The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA).

To find out more about the challenge or to sponsor Mike check out website http://mikecrannage.com, or to contact him email mike.crannage@dudley.gov.uk or keep up-to-date with his progress via his online diaries at www.dudley.gov.uk