What does Palmer, Alaska and Ouarzazate in Morocco have in common? Maybe, you can’t think of anything, after all, Morocco is an African country sitting on the Atlantic and Mediterranean. Alaska sits on the Pacific and Bering Sea. Morocco is known for hot weather, Alaska is known for its cold winter. Give up? Let us tell you:
In Morocco, the Marathon de Sables is held annually in the spring. Enter the picture, marathon runner Georgia Stansell. Georgia is runner, self proclaimed “yoga nerd” and teacher, LMT, and one dynamic lady. Being a runner, she regularly visits Lisa’s website, Dreamchasers Outdoor Adventure Club. (Dreamchasers Outdoor Adventure Club, LLC is the Official Marathon des Sables Representative for the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The Marathon of the Sands usually takes place in late March or early April near the town of Ouarzazate, Morocco).
Georgia read about the Marathon de Sables and decided that she wanted to try it. She and her husband, Monte Goodrich, went to Morocco and fell in love with this eclectic country. Of course, Georgia met Touda Didi, a female runner who happens to be Berber. Georgia heard about the program, Woman Athletes Morocco.
After hearing about this program and the poor girls and young women that Touda is trying to reach, Georgia decided to find a way to make a difference. Georgia and her husband own Blue Mountains Wellness Center in Palmer, Alaska. She is collecting sports shoes and running clothing to send to Touda in November. This is her way of giving back to society and making a difference in other peoples lives. She is having a drawing for each person that donates. She is giving away yoga lessons and art valued at $145(US). She will send the donated items to Touda in November.
Georgia and Monte will go next spring to run the Marathon De Sables again. Georgia is bound and determined to finish this grueling race. She knows that it takes a great deal of effort and commitment to run this challenging marathon. For those of you that do not know, the race is run over a seven day period with twenty miles being run for the first three days, fifty miles are run on the four and fifth days, followed by twenty-six on the sixth day and ten miles on the seventh. Georgia believes in being connected to others and doing her part to help those less fortunate than others.
Her collection of running shoes and usable sports clothing is a way to connect with the young women athletes in Morocco. If you wish to donate to Georgia’s project you can call the Blue Mountains Wellness Center at 907-745-9050. Their Email is info@yogaalaska.com. Donate whatever you can to help.
by Carole Morris
Contact Journey Beyond Travel from our “Contact Us” page at https://www.journeybeyondtravel.com for more information.
