Martens tackles gruelling desert marathon [Marathon des Sables across the Sahara desert]

Altona, Man.

Running is more than a passion for Albert Martens. It is a way to share faith and to raise funds for worthy projects.

At 53, this native of Altona, Manitoba, has run more than 27,000 kilometres and completed 29 marathons. He has run to raise funds for the school in Germany where he is business administrator, for projects in eastern Europe and most recently for a medical clinic in Nicaragua.

Ever since moving to Germany in 1977, Martens has raised his own support for his job at Black Forest Academy, a missionary training school. He is a member of the Evangelical Mennonite Church in Steinbach, Manitoba, and his support comes from donations to the Janz …