article_snippet: (CNN)From the sweltering heat of the Sahara Desert to the subzero temperatures at both North and South Poles, Oakes running obsession knows no bounds.
article_snippet: Oakes still winces at the memory of competing in that 154-mile Saraha event, dubbed the world's toughest footrace.
article_snippet: The Marathon des Sables in 2012 was appallingly tough.
article_snippet: "Trying to complete The Marathon des Sables is a tough ask, but trying to complete The Marathon des Sables with broken toes was brutal.
article_snippet: I think my favorite marathon has to be the North Pole, purely because it's a marathon on the top of the world.
article_snippet: It's such an unrealistic place to be actually running a marathon, and also I caught a glimpse of a polar bear -- which has to be one of the highlights of my life.
article_snippet: her hopes of completing the Triple 7 Quest were dashed at the last though when poor weather prevented her flying from Chile to Antarctica to complete the final leg of the race.