MDS – Russell Benaroya

MARATHON DES SABLES 2025
Running to Support Plymouth Housing

THE MARATHON DES SABLES IS THE PERFECT FUSION OF MY PASSION FOR ADVENTURE AND MY COMMITMENT TO RAISING AWARENESS FOR LIFE-CHANGING CAUSES. IN APRIL 2025, THESE WORLDS WILL COME TOGETHER!

The MDS has been on my bucket list for 10+ years. When my wife gave me the book, You Only Die Once, for my 50th birthday, I was reminded of the potential number of Monday’s I have remaining. I decided to sign up right then and commit to something that might transform my life. The MDS is legenday for its grit. It is a race in the heart of the Sahara Desert that spans over 250 kilometers in six days. It’s a test of self reliance, resilience and determination. I have worked for this moment since I started finding strength, humility and drive on the trails many years ago. Trail running has opened me up to new challenges with the confidence that suffering is temporary.

It was the willingness to accept new challenges that introduced me to the transformational organization that is Plymouth Housing. Plymouth Housing is dedicated to breaking the cycle of homelessness and has redefined what it means to offer not just housing, but a true home to some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. With a model centered around permanent, supportive housing, Plymouth provides stability, dignity, and the foundation for rebuilding lives. In 2023, I was invited to be a “celebrity dancer” for their signature fundraising event, Seattle Dances with the Stars. Not only did the commitment help me learn about Plymouth, it radically knocked me out of my comfort zone. I then took on the mantle to Chair the event in 2024.

The privilege to combine the awareness that I can bring through competing in the Marathon Des Sables and the work that Plymouth Housing does in Greater Seattle is really exciting. Over the course of the next five months, I will share my journey of training and preparation in support of the work that Plymouth is doing to build more resilience, grit and transformation in our community.

I would love your support. Please consider donating to Plymouth Housing and I will make sure that I take your support with me into the Sahara when I compete in the Marathon Des Sables in April 2025. The best way to support is to donate to Plymouth Housing based on my “Days in the Desert”. Consider supporting a number of days of my desert running by clicking DONATE NOW below. That will take you to a dedicated page that Plymouth set up specifically for this cause. Thank you! Thank you!