A doctor and a former Royal Marine have run more than 500km across the Namib Desert and claimed it as a world first.

The desert along Namibia's coast has the world's highest sand dunes, but that didn't stop the two Scots, Dr Andrew Murray and personal trainer Donnie Campbell, running more than 50km daily for nine days, totalling 504.1km.

Endurance running is common in Namibia, but not over such a distance. Last year's Namib Desert Challenge covered a total of 220km in five stages.

Murray, 34 and 30-year-old Campbell are experienced distance runners. Also, Murray is physical activity advisor to the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow, while Campbell is a former Royal Marine.

Part way through Campbell said: "You know if you go down that valley when you're running on hard stuff it's just like a furnace, it's just like you're getting cooked, you know. I know how a Sunday roast feels now."

The two started and finished on the coast, running from Luderitz in the south to Walvis Bay, crossing salt flats and sand dunes up to 300m high, passing abandoned mines and shipwrecks.

Afterwards Dr Murray said: "It's just an amazing feeling. I can't believe that we've eventually got here together. It's brilliant."

Campbell was more down-to-earth.

"The challenge was epic by all proportions. Some highs, some lows, some new friends, some arguments, but that all comes with the challenge. And to be honest, just to be here in Walvis Bay, beside the sea, having some beers with some old friends and some new friends, that's what matters, you know."

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