The Marathon Of Madness
In April 2023, Aussie dad of three and Sydney PR guy, Rob Lowe, will endeavour to complete ‘the toughest foot race on earth’ - The Marathon Des Sables, a gruelling 251km ultra-marathon over 6 days across the Saharan desert in Morocco.
Rob has partnered with Sony Foundation to help raise much needed funds and awareness, that will help make a difference to the lives of youth cancer patients and their families through ‘You Can,’ plus care for children with special needs in the ‘Children’s Holiday Camp Program’.
Now in its 37th year, The Marathon Des Sables (MDS) sees competitors run the equivalent of five and half marathons in 6 days, in searing heats of over 50 degrees C. Competitors need to carry all their own food, bedding and clothes required for 6 days and brave sandstorms, snakes, blisters, chafing, dehydration and of course exhaustion, before finally getting to the finish. Fittingly, each year, ‘Highway to hell’ by Australia’s own AC/DC, is blared out on speakers at the start line to kick off the race.
Rob, the co-founder of Sydney PR agency Poem, has dedicated much of his life to completing ridiculous challenges for charity, including a 665km ocean kayak from Byron Bay to Bondi beach, raising over $10,000 for Prostate Cancer Australia, numerous trail runs, marathons, treks, climbs and swims. This will be Rob’s first run over 50km and will probably be his last.
DONATE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN!
WHEN YOU DONATE $50 OR MORE, YOU AUTOMATICALLY GO IN THE DRAW FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN A PRIZE IN THE DIGITAL RAFFLE.
PRIZE POOL 1 : ALL DONATIONS OF $200 AND MORE QUALIFY FOR AN ENTRY TO WIN A PRIZE FROM PLAYSTATION OR NESPRESSO.
PRIZE POOL 2 : ALL DONATIONS OF $50 AND MORE QUALIFY FOR AN ENTRY TO WIN A PRIZE FROM NESPRESSO, SONY, ICEBREAKER, MUMM or FOX GORDON.
Simply donate via the online donation form at the top of this page and you go in the draw to win one of these great prizes!
$200+ donations have an entry in Prize pool 1 & 2.
Winners will be chosen following the event.
PRIZE POOL 1 : $200+ Donation
PLAYSTATION 5 (RRP $799.95)
NESPRESSO CREATISTA PRO (RRP $1399)
PRIZE POOL 2 : $50+ Donation
x1 Nespresso Vertuo Next with Aeroccino3 (RRP $389)
x1 Sony Cyber-shot Camera – DSC-H300 (RRP $199)
x20 men's & women's Icebreaker merino T-shirts (RRP $100 each)
1x Bottle of GH Mumm & 1x Bottle of Fox Gordon Shiraz (RRP $100)
With thanks to the following sponsors:
Rob sees first-hand the impact of his fundraising
Watch this video where Rob visits a Sony Camp to experience first-hand the impact of this incredible community program. He meets Campers with disability, the Student Companions who care for the children for four days and three nights, and Parents who all share their stories about what Sony Camp means for them.
A big thank you to our Supporters
The real heroes who are kindly helping us achieve our goal
Greg V
$53
Si B
Given your past navigation skills, I’m expecting you to turn up in Somalia around September. Good luck you madman!
$100
Vicki Mackenzie
So proud. Will be with you all the way x
$106
Ralph Childs
Hillie and Ralph wish you all the best
$53
Mia Farrow
All the best!! Have so much fun. Enjoy Morocco the land of contrasts. Cheers.
$53
Alex Jones
Good luck Rob! You’re absolutely crazy but it’s for an amazing cause!
$53
Steve, Sarah And Ash Wick
Go smash it, Rob. An amazing thing your doing.
$211
Michael Mooney
Hi Rob, This will be a magnificent effort of will & stamina. Good luck & best wishes. Mike Mooney
$208
Dan Putelli
LEGEND... enough said
$104
Amy Leanfore
Best of luck!
$26
Simon Barrow
Just to be clear, this donation is just in the hope of winning a bottle of bubbly and is in no way to be taken as an endorsement or support for another one of your utterly ridiculous ideas. Good luck bud!
$69
Zoe Ingram
Best of luck Rob! You’re a superstar for doing this xx
$50
Ed Wicks
Go for it mate and don't give up the beer when you finish! Good causes and a stonking good effort.
$78
Jamie Verco
Good luck Rob. You are amazing to even consider this race
$52
Tanya Andrews
$104
David Mackenzie
Best of luck Rob. Cheering you on from the UK!
$52
Peter & Janet Wick
Best wishes. Take care.
$104
Judy Maton
Good luck rob - looks like to hell and back, but am sure you’ll do it!
$42
Victor Andersson
Don’t forget the truffle shavings!!! Well done legend
$104
Kevin Azzopardi
Good luck with the run mate, wish I was fit enough to do it myself!
$21
Bryan Murphy
Enjoy the challenge Rob, I know how hard you’ve trained for it. Well done on supporting such a great cause too 👍
$500
Raewyn Mutch
All the very best endurance-safety and wellness. Look after our dear friend Veronika and bring her to the finish with you. ✨💎🌟
$108
Veronika Kretzer
I’m admiring your work and caring! See you in the desert!
$104
Andy Mulrenan
Good luck mate!
$21
Monique
$104
Nathan Davis
I was one of the companions at the Sont Camp. It was a truly life-changing experience and I couldn't help but want to contribute to the cause further. Good luck with the marathon!
$21
Anonymous
$78
Julianna
Absolutely crazy but for a great cause! Best of luck!
$52
Heather Hawkins
Hi Rob, Well done on taking on this awesome challenge and for making a real difference to the lives of youth in need. So proud of you! H :)
$52
Bob Fox
Hey Rob - do us proud!
$52
Lukeh Hepworth
MDS will be a amazing test of mental, physical and emotional strength so best of luck Rob.
$104
Anneka Hunston
What an incredible thing to do Rob and an exciting adventure. You will smash it. Good luck from all of us xxx
$50
Nina Dorn
Good luck Rob! Hope you smash the time and the fundraising goals 🙌🦸
$20
Neil Mcphail
$78
John Wick
Rather you than me, go for Rob.
$50
Jac Watson
Insanity but good luck
$26
Deb Fox
Sending you lots of love and support, Rob xx
$21
Ralph Childs
Good luck you must be mad
$52
Anonymous
Awesome Rob ..... best of luck 🍀
$20
Caroline, Bill And Charlie Nall
Good luck Rob – the craziest cousin I have!
$50
Daniel Ball
Good luck Rob, enjoy the madness
$104
Vicki Mackenzie
Supporting you all the way x
$104
Angus Muffet
Such a powerful goal, go smash it!
$52
The Ieraces
All the best Rob, you guys will smash it xx
$50
Annie Wick
Good luck Rob you crazy person! May the blisters be kind. Love from all of us. Xxxx
$25
Sam Parry
Great cause wishing you all the best. Sam, dom and josh
$52
Dawn Harkin
Good luck Rob, what an amazing adventure for an amazing cause!
$52
Cheryl And Dave Fox
What a fantastic opportunity and what a great charity! It looks to be a mega tough journey! We hope that you have a really awesome experience, Good luck Rob from the Foxes :)
$52
Lee Cole
You've never been completely "all there" Rob, but what a fantastic challenge you've set yourself and for a wonderful cause. A pocket rocket since I met you, I've no doubts you'll complete it then be looking for something that's even tougher. Good luck.
$52
You’re insane. But also incredible. Good luck.