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Hoosiers Running the Sahara
27/02/07 08:57 Filed in: Morocco
Articles
Two Indiana Hoosiers will be traveling to
Morocco this April to compete in the
Marathon des Sables in the
southern region of Morocco in North Africa.
The team duo, Tim Fears and Tom Denver, are
working towards completing one extreme or
ultra marathon on each of the world’s seven
continents. Morocco, and therefore Africa,
will be the second on their list.
Fears and Denver, both residing near Terre
Haute, Indiana, will be flying to Ouarzazate
Morocco (famous for its Morocco
film studios where movies like
Babel and The
Gladiator) were shot. The race in
English is known as the Marathon of
the Sands and is in its 22nd year.
Only about 500 other runners from around the world are going to participate in the elite event. Each year, the winners of the race are a set of Moroccan twins living in the Erfoud area, who also receive international sponsorship for their endeavors. While Fears and Denver may not win the event, simply finishing the grueling course will be an accomplishment worth lots of praise – especially from their families who are supporting what many call a “crazy” attempt.
The race is put on by an international organization known as Dreamchasers Outdoor Adventure Club, LLC. The official race predictions call for temperatures nearing 120 degrees (well over 45 degrees Celsius). Furthermore, of the 500 involved in this years event, around 25 are making the pilgrimage from the United States to experience conditions they have never faced before. Besides the regular aches, pains, and foot problems that come along with a regular marathon, the Marathon of the Sands requires participants to carry anti-venom pumps in case of scorpions, ultra-light but effective sleeping bags (temperatures can drop to near freezing at night), along with enough food for the entire race, which includes special energy bars (worth a whopping 2,500 calories each), salt tablets, energizer powder, and other high-calorie, low-weight foods. Each participant will receive around 9 liters of water daily, along with two 20-ounce bottles to carry along.
Physically the two runners are sure of their chances at success. What makes this race different than any other, even the yearly Marrakesh marathon, however, are the elements. The six-stage event includes the first three days at 20 miles (~40 km), another day of 50 miles (nearly 100 km), and the last two days a full marathon, following a final 10 miles (or 6 km), respectively.
View their training & race journal here: www.michelobultraadventureteam.vox.com
Brought to you by: Morocco Travel News at Journey Beyond Travel
Source: The Tribune-Star, Indiana – by Deb McKee
Tags: morocco morocco news morocco travel morocco tours maghreb morocco marathon of the sands morocco marathon des sables morocco sahara desert marathon
Only about 500 other runners from around the world are going to participate in the elite event. Each year, the winners of the race are a set of Moroccan twins living in the Erfoud area, who also receive international sponsorship for their endeavors. While Fears and Denver may not win the event, simply finishing the grueling course will be an accomplishment worth lots of praise – especially from their families who are supporting what many call a “crazy” attempt.
The race is put on by an international organization known as Dreamchasers Outdoor Adventure Club, LLC. The official race predictions call for temperatures nearing 120 degrees (well over 45 degrees Celsius). Furthermore, of the 500 involved in this years event, around 25 are making the pilgrimage from the United States to experience conditions they have never faced before. Besides the regular aches, pains, and foot problems that come along with a regular marathon, the Marathon of the Sands requires participants to carry anti-venom pumps in case of scorpions, ultra-light but effective sleeping bags (temperatures can drop to near freezing at night), along with enough food for the entire race, which includes special energy bars (worth a whopping 2,500 calories each), salt tablets, energizer powder, and other high-calorie, low-weight foods. Each participant will receive around 9 liters of water daily, along with two 20-ounce bottles to carry along.
Physically the two runners are sure of their chances at success. What makes this race different than any other, even the yearly Marrakesh marathon, however, are the elements. The six-stage event includes the first three days at 20 miles (~40 km), another day of 50 miles (nearly 100 km), and the last two days a full marathon, following a final 10 miles (or 6 km), respectively.
View their training & race journal here: www.michelobultraadventureteam.vox.com
Brought to you by: Morocco Travel News at Journey Beyond Travel
Source: The Tribune-Star, Indiana – by Deb McKee
Tags: morocco morocco news morocco travel morocco tours maghreb morocco marathon of the sands morocco marathon des sables morocco sahara desert marathon
