Ultra-marathon across the desert

by GD Wed 24 Mar 2010, 11:51 am

Dr Steve Evans first competed in the ultramarathon in 2005

Five years ago Dr Steve Evans first competed in the Marathon des Sables across the Moroccan Sahara desert.
To mark that he decided to run the marathon for a second time. He said: "The five year anniversary had to be celebrated somehow."
Dr Evans first found out about the marathon through a satellite TV sports channel who screen ultra-marathons from around the world.
Since competing in 2005 Steve has taken part in several other similar events.
He said: "It's mainly a personal challenge and it seems like a good idea to raise some money for [medical charity] Hope For Guernsey."

Ultra-marathon across the desert _47528440_ar001202

The tents that the runners use consist of little more than a tarpaulin

The race covers around 250km in the Moroccan desert and involves extreme conditions including temperatures as high as 56C during the day but dropping below zero at night.
These conditions have meant Steve has had to take part in some unique training while in Guernsey. He explained: "I train with extra kit on, even thermals in the hot weather to simulate the hot [desert] temperatures."
Such heat means that the competitors have to be very aware of dehydration. Due to the low humidity in the desert Steve said: "You don't notice you're sweating... it evaporates right away so you have to concentrate on your fluid intake."
The first time Dr Evans took part in the race he said he was drinking between nine and 11 litres of fluid a day!
To make the race even more challenging runners do not find out the exact route until they arrive at the start, a small village 200 miles east of Marakesh - though the race traditionally ends in the same village every year. (from BBC)

by plimmerton811 Thu 25 Mar 2010, 9:34 am

A couple of very fit friends of mine did this event some years back and the editorial above does not give the reader any idea of how hard it is. The little things like the first night you make sure there is no sand in your sleeping bag the second night you're so tired you really don't give a stuff.

Ultra-marathon across the desert

Ultra-marathon across the desert

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