The intrepid trio of David Agnès, Mark Peters and Giles Corbin Picture: DAVID FERGUSON (00895489)

A TRIO of Islanders are joining forces to tackle a triathlon race from Jersey to Africa – covering nearly 3,500 kilometres – to raise money for charity.

Mark Peters, Giles Corbin and David Agnès have been training hard for the gruelling challenge, the last leg of which is the Marathon des Sables, more than 144 miles over six days across the Sahara desert.

The first part of the trip is a 26 km kayak paddle from Jersey to Portbail in France on 10 March. The men then have two weeks to cycle to Ouarzazate in north Morocco – the starting point for the Marathon des Sables.

‘We hope to cycle about 85 miles a day,’ Mark said. ‘We are not racing, but we will be doing a sustained mileage. The idea was to manpower ourselves to the start line from Jersey.’

Unfortunately, work commitments have forced Giles and David to cut the trip short and only Mark will compete in the Marathon des Sables. All three will complete the paddle to France but Giles will fly back to Jersey from Gibraltar and David will accompany Mark to Ouarzazate.

This challenge is the latest of several similar events for Giles, who has been raising money for charity for several years following the death of his sister in 1989. ‘I started because I wanted to do something in memory of Melanie, who died when she was 20,’ he said. She had Hodgkinson’s disease.

‘We are aiming to raise as much as we can, hopefully £25,000.’

As with any form of unconventional travel, there are several obstacles to overcome, including the legal issue of landing three kayaks on French land. ‘We are still seeking permission from the French authorities,’ Mark said. ‘We will have a cover boat with us and we just hope they will give us permission to land.’

If the weather is too rough for the trio to paddle across, they will complete that leg of the trip in the summer.

Mark completed the Marathon des Sables in 2006 and although it is known as one of the most gruelling races in the world with competitors trying to complete the equivalent of 5½ marathons in six days, he has only fond memories of the event.

‘It was great,’ he said. ‘There were people there who said they would never do it again, but I really enjoyed it. There was a four-year waiting list when I reapplied, but it is now five years because the event is so popular.

‘You try to run as much as you can but you have to carry all your food, your sleeping bag and even a cooker – everything you need for six days part from water.’

He is not trying to beat his time from 2006, especially after a two-week cycle leading up to the marathon. ‘I’m four years older now and I did very well last time,’ he said. ‘Coming off the back of the cycle ride might help me or slow me, but I’m not really looking to beat my time anyway.’

All the money raised will be split between the charities Clic Jersey and Make a Wish UK. Donators can specify if they would prefer their cash to go towards just one of the charities.

Anyone wishing to sponsor the trio can call Giles Corbin on 609579 or send a cheque payable to The Endeavour Charitable Trust to Advocate Giles Corbin, Mourant du Feu & Jeune, 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, JE4 8PX.