article: A British marathon runner has become the first blind athlete to complete the 'toughest footrace on Earth', which saw him run almost 160 miles across the Sahara Desert. Dave Heeley, 57, from West Bromwich, ran the gruelling challenge over six days as he battled through sand dunes, dried river beds and rocks. The super-fit father-of-three, known affectionately by his friends as 'Blind Dave', took part in the Marathon des Sables where competitors carry provisions on their backs and temperatures can rise to 50 degrees. Scroll down for video . Dig in: Dave Heeley, pictured with his guide, is the first blind man to finish the Marathon des Sables . Endurance: In the marathon, brave competitors run 156 miles in six days across the Sahara Desert . Thumbs up: Father-of-three Mr Heeley has raised funds for the Albion Foundation, a charity that works in partnership with his beloved West Brom to use sport as a way to help the local community . Mr Heeley - who became the first blind man to run seven marathons on seven continents in 2008 - set off on April 5 and hopes to raise more than £30,000 for charity. He was joined by two guides and friends Rosemary Rhodes and Tony Ellis. The 57-year-old crossed the finish line on Friday after running 156 miles and camping in the desert. Tough: In the Marathon des Sables, athletes have to carry their provisions on their back and sleep in tents . Rocky: Mr Heeley struggled with the terrain as he hadn't done any mountain climbing, but still finished the race . Completed: Mr Heeley finished the 'toughest foot race on Earth' on Friday after running almost 160 miles . The Marathon des Sables translates into English as Marathon of the Sands. It was started in 1986 by Patrick Bauer - a French concert promoter. The course is about 156 miles, the equivalent of six regular marathons. It is a six day race and there is only one rest day. Competitors must carry all their provisions for the whole race on their back. Temperatures in the desert can reach 50 degrees during the day and more than 40 per cent humidity, while dropping to below freezing at night time . Other famous Britons to compete include rower James Cracknell. His wife, Debbie, 48, said: 'The terrain was something that he did not know how to manage. 'The team hadn't done any mountain climbing in their training. 'It took them a bit longer than he expected as a result. They were eight or nine hour days running in that heat. 'It was sweltering and he also had to go through sandstorms. The conditions were difficult.' She added: 'They had to do 56.5 miles straight and run through the night at one stage. 'They had to go up a big hill at that part and going down can be just as bad, especially if you can't see. 'I am very proud. It is certainly a tough challenge. 'He has done a number of difficult challenges in the past but this tops it. I am very pleased for him.' Mr Heeley has been raising money for the Albion Foundation, a charity that works in partnership with his beloved West Bromwich Albion FC to use sport as a way to benefit the community. So far, he has raised £20,000 but hopes to reach a further £10,000. Resting up: Mr Heeley ran through the Sahara Desert and then had to sleep in his tent and make his own food . In 2008, the father-of-three completed the Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge which saw him finish seven marathons in a week on seven continents. His route took him from Port Stanley, Falkland Islands (Antarctica), to Santiago, Chile (South America), Los Angeles, USA (North America), Sydney, Australia (Australasia), Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Asia), Nairobi, Kenya (Africa), before finishing with the London Marathon. In another record breaking achievement, explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes became the oldest Briton to finish the Marathon des Sables when he completed this year's course at the age of 71.
highlights: Dave Heeley, 57, completed the 156-mile Marathon des Sables on Friday .
  The father-of-three known as 'Blind Dave' is the first blind man to do so .
  He previously finished the Seven Magnificent Marathons challenge in 2008 .
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