Marathon Des Sables 2005 race diary entry
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Ray Zahab - Marathon Des Sables - Stage 3 & 4
Hey Everyone!
What a crazy race this year. The rumor is Patrick wanted to make this edition tougher then desert cup and I think he has done it! The stages have been longer, hotter, with the biggest dunes I have ever seen!
Stage 3 was approx. 41 kms and had these huge and I mean huge dunes! The temps were rumored to have hit 55 degrees
celcius and I believe it. I finished the stage with a bit of luck navigating through the dunes and saving huge time. I finished 36th which made me 33 overall entering stage 4. I almost got a time penalty for not having my knife handy, but it turns out it was in my pack and I was HOPEFULLY forgiven!!!
MORE...
The mood around camp is still good, although everybody including me has blisters! I have managed to keep all sand out of my shoes. After I last wrote to you there was a surprise at the bivouac for the runners- the organization flew in a orchestra from France! There is a 15 minute time limit here, so I promise a HUGE story with lots of details when I get back to the hotel.
Stage 4 was super tough too. Hot, sandy; by now you get the idea! Because I was top 50 I would have to start at noon just like last year. I had an awesome day and finished the stage in approx. 9 hours!!! I couldnt believe it ! I am so happy! I still have the marathon tomorrow and last stage after that so I hope it goes well too. Our other Canadian runners are doing well too. Pat has been sick, but when I caught up tp him yesterday he helped to draft me till I recovered. The group ran so fast from the start yesterday. The pace was crazy but I felt honoured to run with this amazing group. There was mountain passes and dunes in stage 4 as well. Im about to get kicked off! More to come!
Cheers for now
Ray
