Simon_Puttock | Stage 1 by Simon Puttock
I DID IT ! Well I got to the end of the first stage at least.
After all the waiting around of the past few days the event finally started at 0930 this morning.
Yesterday we got a copy of the "road map" describing the route for the next 7 days.
Stage 1 (today) 28km + dunes
Stage 2 34 km
Stage 3 37km (the main dunes day with sand like skyscrapers)
Stage 4 76km
Stage 5 rest day
Stage 6 42km
Stage 7 20km
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Daniel_Brockhurst | Stage 1 Day 1 by Daniel Brockhurst
Hi, as promised a bit more info on the build up to todays stage (which Victoria & I have both now finished in just under 4hrs)
Most of Saturday was spent either sitting in the tent, hiding from the sun or waiting in line like true brits for food, drinks, or the controls. Food by the way is excellent. Hats off to the chef. All of this gave us plenty of opportunities to meet new friends and get re-acquainted with old. Some of the familiar faces have been met on previous runs such as the Thames Meander or Marathon of Britain. From the latter, Cyril, the mad, loud, irishman can be heard throughout the day and evening providing his tentmates with hours of amusement.
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Travers_Bell | Stage 1 Day 1 by Travers
The first day of the "race" has finished and I am trying not to think how hard it has been since I know the next 5 stages are going to be even harder. We had a lot of waiting around since we arrived here, lots of queuing but the orgainisation is quite staggering. Debbei - landrovers are the most common vehicle, it must be the best! Many more staff than i thought likely and all of them very helpful. Today was the mass start at 0930 after much advice from the race director over the loudspeaker.
It started well, Chris and I walked for 25 minutes to let the rush subside. Then we began our training routine of gentle jogging for 20-30 minutes and walking for 10 minutes. It was incredibly hot today, and the land was very flat. Although it seemed to be endless, the country is very spectacular and awesome. The terrain was a mix of rough track with what looks like masses of stones, many jagged, strewn all over the place. This makes it very uneven and requires some concentration to prevent a turned ankled. There was only about 1/2 mile of sand dunes but it gave a taste of what is to come on day 3.
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Ray_Zahab | Registration Day for Ray Zahab
Ray Zahab reports from Marathon des Sables 2004, Registration Day
We've finally reached the Sahara desert and we are now awaiting the start of the 19th Marathon des Sables. All the formalities are done. Our Canadian contingent, plus one American and a Belgian, have all cleared the mandatory gear/medical check. We are just waiting to get going tomorrow.
We were all trucked in from Ouarzazate yesterday, on buses for the first 220 km and then herded onto dump trucks for the remaining few km's into our tent city in the desert. The ride over was amazing. We travelled through small towns in the Atlas mountains, on roads that were almost too narrow for the buses. We got to see mountains, lush oasis valleys, and even a movie set for the upcoming film Kingdom of Heaven. The scenery in Hidalgo is apparently where we are running! And after the wild ride through the edge of the mountains we entered desert country. The buses headed straight off the road into the desert till we got to the dump trucks. It was so cool.
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Daniel_Brockhurst | Pre Race Note from Dan
We have checked in, found the tent (number 53) and gone through the control checks. All is ok with kit and medical so am ready to race.
Temp at last check was 30 but good breeze so felt cooler.
Even trotted out for a short run (without pack) which felt good. At least I know the legs work for the start.
.
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Ray_Zahab | MdS 2004 - Ray Zahab's story so far
Marathon des Sables 2004
My trip to Ouarzazate has been totally awesome. I met the other Canadian competitors in Montreal and we flew into Casablanca on Air Maroc and transferred town to Ouz on a prop plane. The views from the air, crossing the High Atlas Mountains and then the waves of sandstone ranges of the Anti-Atlas were truly awe inspiring.
"Team Canada" has been in and around town meeting with locals, shopping in markets and enjoying the whole Moroccan experience. The people here are amazing! So kind and helpful. I admire them for their non-materialistic lifestyle. The food is outstanding as well.
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Ray_Zahab | MDS 2004 - A Racers Pre Race Check
Ray Zahab, winner of the 100 mile section of the Yukon Arctic Ultra earlier this year, is entering the Marathon des Sables for the first time. Just before he left Canada on Sunday he sent us this report:
Only a couple of hours until my flight takes off for Morocco! I am both excited and nervous. I have done plenty of endurance races but never in the extremes of the Sahara. And this is one extreme to the other. It’s just eight weeks since I was in the frozen wastes of the Yukon. The 19th edition of this Sahara race will have us run over 240 km over 7 days in stage format. I can't wait !
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| Marathon Des Sables 2004
The Marathon des Sables is almost on us again. This Thursday, 610 runners will be flying from around the world to Ouarzazate in Morocco for the 19th Marathon des Sables. From there they will head down into the Sahara Desert, to the start in southern Morocco (location as yet unrevealed). After a day's equipment testing on Saturday the adventure will start on Sunday morning.
The MdS is of course the original desert race. 250 kilometres in six stages over seven days. It's self-sufficient, so competitors carry all their own food, bedding and equipment. They start with perhaps 20lbs in weight and by the end of the week they finish with 10lbs. They will be ragged, exhausted, their faces encrusted with sweat-salt and dust, but they will be exhilarated. They will have faced a classic race and won.
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Daniel_Brockhurst | Test Entry
Test entry for Daniel Brockhurst..
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Travers_Bell | Test Entry
This is a test entry for Travers Bell.
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