TRAINING time is running out for the two Petersfield headhunters who are about to tackle one of the planet’s most arduous feats.

Jakob Bloch (44) and Shaun Smart (30) are flying out on Friday (April 8) to take part in the notorious Marathon des Sables – six marathons in six days in the Sahara Desert.

One stretch is a 57 mile run through the night, and hazards the pair, who work at Commodity Appointments in Petersfield, will face include dehydration, blisters and the giant camel spider.

They have spent most weekends in the months leading up to the challenge running, including those while on business trips, most recently New York and Singapore. They have enjoyed being joined in their training by clients.

Jakob set up a makeshift heat chamber in his garage at home which has given them opportunity for dry heat running. Last week they were at the Sports Performance and Rehabilitation Unit at Chichester University for a session in the heat chamber there, which reached 38.5 degrees C.

They are raising money for Dreams Come True, supporting children with life-limiting conditions. So far they have made almost £7,900 for the charity.

They fly back on April 18 and would be delighted to see the amount boosted considerably by then. To donate visit https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/commoditymdschallenge2016