Derek Kwik is one awesome runner. The Hong Kong ironman has completed what is probably one of the hardest races in the world - the Egyptian Sahara Desert ultra-marathon, a seven-day, 250km trek across some of the harshest desert conditions.
Having already survived similar extreme races across the leech-infested Borneo jungle, snowy mountains in New Zealand, blinding sandstorms in Morocco, and crippling altitude sickness in the Gobi Desert, this should be a piece of cake, right?
Not so, says the managing partner of a Hong Kong based technology venture capital fund. On this epic trip, Kwik nearly succumbed to the Sahara on day two. 'The last thing I remember was collapsing in the sand dunes. Luckily, a patrolling jeep with a medic onboard whisked me away to the medical tent where they covered my body with chemical ice packs and wet towels.'
Nevertheless, seven days of punishment took its toll. 'I had burning blisters on my calves which were caused by sand accumulating on my legs which then turned into a post-secondary infection, cellulitis. The medic recommended I consider walking the final miles. No way. With the great Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx watching over me, I sprinted across the finish line proudly waving the Hong Kong SAR flag.'
Donald, give this man an award!