If a Marathon and 100 Mile Trail Running Isn’t Enough
By David Hanenburg on 30 Mar 2009 at 8:40 am | Tagged as: inspiration, running
If marathons and 100 mile trail runs aren’t enough of a challenge for you.
Maybe you need to give Marathon Des Sables a try. Don’t be fooled by the word Marathon, it is nowhere close.
How about:
- 6 stages
- 17.5 km to 75.5 km per stage (10.9 miles up to 46.9 miles)
- Location: Morocco’s south Sahara (desert!) – Temps can exceed 100 degrees in the sun.
- Nine liters of water is distributed to each individual per day, at departure. You manage your consumption throughout the day. When it’s gone, it’s gone for the day.
- You must carry your own gear for the entire event (sleeping bag, food, clothing, stove). Tents will be provided.
Typically most runners buy running shoes 1/2 size larger than their normal shoe size to provide room for some swelling. Well the race organization recommends wearing shoes two sizes larger due to the swelling from the heat. This cracks me up! Two sizes! Wow!
They also recommend no Body Glide or Vaseline because the sand sticks to it and creates sandpaper. Fun! (Ok, maybe not.)
Take a look at their highlight video from last year. It looks like quite the event and experience.
The 24th running of this years event is taking place right now. (March 27th – April 6th)
Wish all the runners a safe journey. Hopefully all their psychiatric appointments are scheduled for when they return home. (wink)
Hmm, I wonder when sign-up starts for next year…I already had my appointment after my first Ironman and 50 mile trail run. I’m OK with crazy!
Actually, I don’t think my awareness has expanded enough to fully understand this event.
Is there an event or distance that scares the willies out of you?
Be active, feel the buzz!
About the author
David Hanenburg is the passionate dirt-lovin' creator of Endurance Buzz and has been playing in the endurance sports world since 2000 after knockin' the dust off of his Trek 950 hardtail thanks to a friend asking to go ride some local dirt. In 2007 he ran his first ultra on the trails and fell in love with the sport and its people. For more information on David's endurance sports journey, check out the About page.
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