One of my
life list goals is to participate in a marathon so to test my endurance, mental being, and will power to cross over the
finish line after some thousands of miles. I suppose I’ve had a good many chances to knock this one off for some reason
I just haven’t gotten there. (My life list is packed.) But starting off I’ll certainly have to tackle something a little
easier than this Marathon des Sables, an
annual week-long brutal-foot race that takes place in the southern part of Morocco also known as the ‘Toughest Footrace
in the World.’ Think 150 miles in the sun over the Sahara Desert. Participants have to be completely self-sufficient
which means toting a lightweight backpack with all their gear and food for a week. When night falls they sleep on the
ground in communal Berber tents. Up for the challenge yet?
This year’s race takes place April 6 – April 12,
2006. The cost is somewhere around $2,600 US and the winner of the grueling secret Saharan race wins around $4,500 US.
Visit this I Love Marrakech site for
additional details and background info on the event, founded by Frenchman Patrick Bauer. Sports Illustrated has an
excellent piece on the 17th annual race held last year if you’re seriously considering competing.