BACK in 2011, Dan Wright chanced upon a TV documentary about the toughest footrace on Earth.

Given at the time he weighed 16-and-a-half stones and did limited exercise, you could have forgiven his friends and family for laughing when he said he wanted to do it.

But five years on and three stones lighter, the 37-year-old is a Marathon des Sables finisher.

Although, now back home in Durham City, he still says: “I don’t like running.”

Mr Wright, a plumber from Gilesgate, and around 1,200 others set out on this year’s endurance race through the Sahara Desert in southern Morocco.

Six days and 156 miles later, having braved swirling sandstorms and temperatures soaring into the Celsius 50s, he was among fewer than 1,000 finished it.

“I was absolutely over the moon, elated,” he said.

“You’ve pushed yourself so much, you’ve had your highs and lows and just need to get to that finishing line.

“I would have quite happily come last, as long as I finished.

“It was absolutely beautiful out there. When you’re looking at the stars, they’re crystal clear – it’s gorgeous.”

Participants in the race, which began in 1986, run or walk with everything they need on their back except water supplies.

This year, sandstorms forced organisers to extend the cut-off times and there was a record high dropout rate.

Mr Wright’s friend and running partner Christopher Willoughby gave up on the second day due to exhaustion and dehydration.

“It was a massive blow,” he said.

“I’m quite a happy-go-lucky person normally. I’ve never had such highs and lows in my life. It was horrible. The mental side is the hardest part.”

Mr Wright had previously completed the Great North Run several times, one marathon and one 50km race.

But he said: “I’m not your average runner. I don’t go out and run marathons.

“I saw the documentary and I thought I’d like to have a go at that. It looked absolutely insane.

“I don’t even like running. It’s a means to an end to keep the weight off.”

He returned to Durham on Tuesday (April 19) and was back at work on Thursday (April 21) and, although admitted to still feeling “absolutely totally rundown”, he is now considering entering the 100-mile St Oswald’s Ultra Race from Holy Island to Chollerford, near Hexham, on Saturday, September 17.

Mr Wright completed the Marathon des Sables in aid of the Heel and Toe children’s charity. To sponsor him, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/team/racingsnails