Serpie Planner - event reports
Marathon des Sables (30 Mar 2008)
Billed as the hardest footrace in the world, it does its best to live up to the reputation. This year was the longest course ever (it varies each year), at 245.5km for the 6 stages over 7 days. Based in the middle of the Sahara in Morocco, the terrain is surprisingly varied, but none of it is easy, except the last mile of the last day which was on tarmac. Sand dunes are the toughest, but also the most spectacular, and make up a fair portion of the course. They are the most difficult sections to navigate on because the organisers can't put up directional markers since they can only access the dunes on foot or helicopter. Other terrain includes wadis (full of dry soil which usually crumbles under foot like sand), harder surfaces with varying degrees of rocks on them and sandy stretches with rocks.
Temperatures got up to around 49 degrees Celsius in the camps and hotter on some salt flats and dunes. This slows down the field a lot, as does the sand. The majority aim to finish and no more and a regular bunch of Moroccans and Jordanians lead the field. The most common problems involve severe blisters, torn skin on backs/shoulders and dehydration, but a huge team of doctors are at the checkpoints and camps. Supposedly it's like getting warzone experience for them without the danger of being shot or blown-up.
So why do it? Because if you do get through you feel like you've pushed yourself to your physical and mental limits, which is incredibly rewarding. That applies whether you're first or last…and probably more so for those few who are forced to drop out.
Report by Ian Sharman
Marathon des Sables (31 Mar 2011)
Renowned as one of the toughest footraces on Earth, the event took place over 6 days / 156 miles across the Sahara Desert in Morocco. We recently returned having battled sandstorms, scorpions in our bivouac, temperatures as high as 57 degrees and blistered feet, all whilst crossing sand dunes (including Erg Chebbi, the highest dunes in the Sahara), rocky paths and towering djebels. Approximately 5% of the field of 850 dropped out before the final day due to the tough conditions and brutal terrain. With gritted teeth, determination and plenty of paracetamol, we all managed to cross the finish line. Our final positions are below:
Matthew Hearne - 205th (39H17'35)
Richard Taylor - 225th (40H04'56)
Mark Lewis - 427th (47H44'00)
Gemma Tetlow - 582nd (53H54'31)
It was an amazing experience and a huge achievement for everyone to actually finish the race. The scenery was truly stunning, although next time we hope to admire it from the relative comfort of a camel.
Matthew