“Let us introduce ourselves”

Ed King turned 38 on 6 th April 2008 and Guy Steel 36 on 23 rd May 2008 . Together we run an Asset Management recruitment business in Central London called Carnegie Consulting, which we set up at the beginning of 2006. Prior to that we had worked together for another financial recruiter in London for 8 years, so it is fair to say we know each other fairly well and have both enjoyed our sport and fitness over the years with running and rugby being a common theme!

Running and gym work then replaced this pastime and has kept him mostly out of trouble. Completion of the London Marathon in 2006 fuelled Guy's interest in the slightly more insane running endeavours, and through Ed's insistence, the MDs beckons in 2009! Guy lives in SW London and is very happily courting a wonderful lady, Charlotte.

Since their first meeting in 1998 Guy and Ed have enjoyed their running and what started as a gentle jog home from the office along the Embankment, has now turned into us competing in the 2009 Marathon Des Sables.

So, what is the MdS all about and why are we doing it?

“You don't have to be mad to do this, but ...”
To the average person on the street running 26.2 miles is the ultimate endurance test that anyone would put the human body through. Yet, more and more people across the globe complete this event every year, making an essential event in any city's calendar wanting to be taken seriously on the international stage. Having both completed a number of marathons, the lure of trying something of an even greater endurance has been beckoning at us now for some time.

The Marathon des Sables would seem to fit the bill!

We are by no means elite athletes, but we are both highly competitive and driven individuals with a desire to continually push ourselves to the next level. In the Marathon Des Sables we have found an event that is truly unique and which will challenge both our mental and physical limits to the extreme, and will allow to form a unique bond outside of the normal office relationship!

In March 2009 we will be competing in the 24th Marathon des Sables where we will be testing the boundaries of not just one of the toughest and harshest environments on the planet, but the boundaries of our own bodies and minds. In so doing we are hoping to raise over £20,000 for our chosen charity, the Anthony Nolan Trust.

Guy, like Ed, played rugby at a relatively good level, representing both his school, County, and University 1st XV, before joining Surrey Police and playing for a team, that if we're being honest, everybody liked to try and beat or just hurt! “Police” rugby was followed by a rather less serious standard of game, before eventually hanging up his boots five years ago and entering “retirement”.
Ed played high level rugby and hockey at school and went to represent Oxford Brookes University at Hockey. He also enjoys skiing and waterskiing, and since he can remember has enjoyed the freedom that putting on a pair of running shoes and taking off can give you. He has also completed two London marathons (1993 and 1996). He is married to Cat, and has daughters Arabella, 3, and Camilla, born August 2008.