One and Done
I'm back. Done! The Marathon des Sables lived up to it's handle of 'the toughest footrace on the planet'. It didn't kill me but it was pretty hard on my feet and brain. I've posted some links (on the left-hand side of the blog) to newspaper interviews that will give you all the detail an pictures you'll ever want - probably too much information. If there was any lesson I learned from this race, even if it's a little cheesey, is that the race is long, but it's only against yourself.
A few facts about the Sand Marathon (Marathon des Sables)
The route for 2010 is 155 miles or 250 Km long, making it the longest ever in the history of the Marathon Des Sables. The race will be challenging from day one - and continue that way - offering all the variety of the Sahara. The course will take runners over ergs (dune zones), seriously steep jebels (up to 25% slope factor) and rocky plateaus. Competitors have to cross hard as iron salt-flats and the driest of wadis (dry river-beds). The backdrop to all of this a beautiful austere landscape with vistas accessible only to those on foot. In its 25-year history since it was set up in 1986, the Marathon des Sables has brought together some 10,000 competitors in the Moroccan Sahara. Whether running individually or in teams, competitors are self-sufficient in food and must carry all their own equipment (food and compulsory kit) during the entire race. Marathon runners and trail runners worldwide consider the race to be the “Holy Grail” of footraces. It’s one of the most difficult in the world: this year its 250km of freestyle will be run in 6 stages, normally varying from 20 to 90km each day - the exact course is not known until the first day of the race - but one thing is known - the French National Opera is flown in after the long stage and competitors are treated to an evening of unique entertainment. With average speeds from a minimum of 3 Km/h to maximum 14 Km/h, the Marathon des Sables is an extraordinary course, taking in this particularly beautiful part of Morocco. For this 25th edition, around 1,000 competitors will be setting off to conquer the Moroccan sands on April 2, 2010. Roughly 40% are French, the other 60% made up of 43 nationalities. Sportsmanship, solidarity, personal achievement and respect for the environment: these are the event's key themes.
hope my posting 'took' grant. got some sort of error.
ReplyDeletedanny b. (tent 130)
Congratulations Grant! That is an amazing accomplishment...Way to Go!!!
ReplyDeleteDeb Whitehead Lalonde
I'm awed, impressed. Wish I could say inspired... :) Honestly, if you can do this to benefit something you believe in, I am happy to support you. Count me in - you've got another donation!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Lori