The Marathon Des Sables, roughly translated as the Desert Marathon, is widely known to be the toughest foot race on planet Earth. It is a test of a persons mental and physical stamina.
The itinerary involves competing in the equivalent of 5.5 marathons in six days across the Sahara desert. The course changes from year to year but the 2003 event was as follows:
Day 1 – 25 kms, day 2 – 34 kms, day 3 – 38 kms, day 4 – 82 kms, day 5 – 42 kms, day 6 – 22 kms. This totals an approximate of 230kms.
Throughout the duration of the event a competitor will have to endure temperatures of 86 -120 degrees F during the daylights hours and 40 – 58 degrees F at night. The terrain varies from sand dunes, rocky desert, stony ground etc.
Each competitor has to be self-sufficient during racing hours and is therefore required to carry a pack containing supplies for survival in the desert.
For further details of the event follow this link: http://www.saharamarathon.co.uk