My name is Kevin, I live just outside London in the UK
Over the years i have notched up about 18 marathons, in recent years i have been mixing holidays and marathons, which is a great way to see cities, In the last couple of years i have run marathons in Paris, Chicago, Los Angles, Toronto, and the Peak District....
Over the last couple of years i have been more than capable of a 3hr marathon time, but due to bad luck, injury, weather, the closest i have got is 3hr 30 mins, i think manly due to frustration i started to look for a different challenge, first on my list was the North Pole Marathon this has been put on hold until i win the lottery because it cost £6000, Then i fancied rowing across the Atlantic again this has been put on hold until i win the lottery, oh and i learn to swim.....
Then i found it, 6 days running across the Sahara desert - The Marathon Des Sables - Billed as the hardest foot race in the world, thats more like it i thought.
Little did i know how popular this sort of event is, 2007 race is fully booked, 2008 race is fully booked, 2009 entries are not open but they have had enough interest to ensure that this race will be fully booked.
The only way for me to enter was to go on the waiting list for 2007 and hope a few people drop out, i got myself added to the waiting list at number 43!!!
Monday 30 October 2006
Welcome to my very own blog
Welcome to my Marathon Des Sables blog
Taken from the Marathon Des Sables website
The Toughest Footrace on Earth
Welcome to the world of lunatics and masochists - don't take offence, I have great admiration for all those who even think about doing this event.
Why this IS the toughest footrace on Earth
It covers 243km/151 miles (in sections similar to 25, 34, 38, 82, 42, 22 km) run over 6 days (7 for some) - equivalent to 5 1/2 regular marathons. That's a speed of between 3 and 14 km an hour for competitors aged between 16 and 78). In addition to that, competitors have to carry everything they will need for the duration (apart from a tent) on their backs in a rucksack (food, clothes, medical kit, sleeping bag etc). Water is rationed and handed out at each checkpoint.
You will have to prepare all your own food throughout the race and I warn you that there is not a chain of Tesco stores or corner grocery shops dotted around the Sahara. You will experience mid-day temperatures of up to 120°F, of running or walking on uneven rocky, stony ground as well as 15 - 20% of the distance being in sand dunes.
The heat, distance and rubbing will trash your feet and may cause severe trauma if incorrect shoes and equipment are used. Mental stamina probably constitutes at least 50% of whether you will complete the distance or not. Physical fitness is important but don't underestimate the mental stress that you will need to endure. Even if you have run dozens of 26 mile marathons, this does not mean that you will automatically find the MdS easy - either way you will be planning to do lots of training prior to the MdS.
Taken from the Marathon Des Sables website
The Toughest Footrace on Earth
Welcome to the world of lunatics and masochists - don't take offence, I have great admiration for all those who even think about doing this event.
Why this IS the toughest footrace on Earth
It covers 243km/151 miles (in sections similar to 25, 34, 38, 82, 42, 22 km) run over 6 days (7 for some) - equivalent to 5 1/2 regular marathons. That's a speed of between 3 and 14 km an hour for competitors aged between 16 and 78). In addition to that, competitors have to carry everything they will need for the duration (apart from a tent) on their backs in a rucksack (food, clothes, medical kit, sleeping bag etc). Water is rationed and handed out at each checkpoint.
You will have to prepare all your own food throughout the race and I warn you that there is not a chain of Tesco stores or corner grocery shops dotted around the Sahara. You will experience mid-day temperatures of up to 120°F, of running or walking on uneven rocky, stony ground as well as 15 - 20% of the distance being in sand dunes.
The heat, distance and rubbing will trash your feet and may cause severe trauma if incorrect shoes and equipment are used. Mental stamina probably constitutes at least 50% of whether you will complete the distance or not. Physical fitness is important but don't underestimate the mental stress that you will need to endure. Even if you have run dozens of 26 mile marathons, this does not mean that you will automatically find the MdS easy - either way you will be planning to do lots of training prior to the MdS.
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