Having completed both the 28th and 30th marathon des sables, my memories of the sahara desert and its dunes are good ones. Essentially, he has surrendered his body to science, becoming a living, breathing, competing experiment, the results of which will be revealed in a documentary on the discovery channel this august. Known for being the ultimate test of human endurance, the race which takes in a gruelling 250 km across the sahara desert in temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees celsius tests even the toughest athletes to their limit and beyond. Jamie and matts marathon des sables 2016 jamie hind and matt monaghan have decided to take on the race named by the discovery channel as the toughest footrace on earth, but more commonly known as the marathon des sables, or mds, in april 2016. Scots veteran first double amputee to finish marathon des. For those unfamiliar, the mds is a sevenday, sixstage race only the first five stages count toward the rankings this. May 03, 2018 version sous titree en francais marathon des sables 2018. Inspired by the experience, the first edition was created in 1986. This gruelling race takes place in the sahara desert and is a six day ultra marathon covering around 150 miles in.
Known simply as the mds, the race is a gruelling multistage adventure through a formidable landscape in one of the worlds most inhospitable climates the sahara desert. Mar 24, 2015 what was your toughest marathon des sables learning experience. Lasting 12days, patrick carried all he required in a 35kg pack. May 22, 2016 kit lists, marathon des sables by elisabet barnes may 22, 2016 may 23, 2016 with thanks to raidlight, hoka one one, sziols xkross sweden and lyo food. Documentary following british adventurer and olympic gold medal rower james cracknell as he competes in the marathon des sables in morocco. In 1984, at the age of 28, patrick decided to attempt a selfsufficient solo crossing of a 350km section of the sahara desert.
The marathon des sables follows a different route each year across a region of morocco southeast of ouarzazate, near the famous merzouga dunes, the erg chebbi. I still had a date with marathon des sables a date i knew i needed to make happen sooner rather than later. Marathon des sables, or mds, french for marathon of the sands, also known as sahara marathon is a sixday, 251 km 156 mi ultramarathon, which is approximately the distance of six regular marathons. For the women, the russian natalia sedykh ran a truly brilliant race and surged ahead from the start.
James cracknell explains what the marathon des sables is and what conditions you have to endure in order to succeed. In the first fifteen kilometres of the second stage of the marathon des sables race predictions were that the moroccans would yet again dominate the race and rank in the top 10 of the male field. James cracknell runs for the wire in the marathon des sables. Apr 08, 2015 sir ranulph fiennes, the explorer, is competing in the marathon des sables. The gap opens in the moroccan field in the mens race and natalia sedyhk keeps the lead in the womens race. Race profile of marathon des sables from grand trail. The james cracknell triology three films about one mans endurance. Sep 09, 2019 even former rower and hunk james cracknell admitted hes feeling the burn of practice this from the man who ran the infamous marathon des sables across the moroccan desert. Discovery ch toughest race on earth with james cracknell duration. Known as the toughest footrace on earth the marathon des sables is a sixday, 251 km 156 mi ultra marathon held every year in southern morocco, in the sahara desert.
Clinical director jon graham and physiofunction client andy. A year later, james cracknell achieved a staggering 12th place finish over a longer and some would argue, harder course and that was with a broken bone in his foot. Marina fogle on her husband bens everest attempt big. Thank you old friends, new friends, family, strangers, fellow runners, t1s and nutjobs for your support as i ran the marathon des sables, the most amazing run of my life, with 1,000 other mentalists and a dog called cactus this week. The ultramarathon takes place across 6 days and challenges participants to run the distance of 6 regular marathons back to back. The gruelling 6 day ultramarathon covers a total of 154 miles, in the most inhospitable environment on the planet the sahara desert. Cranston watts is fundraising for scottish love in action justgiving. One of my commissions was to supply images for discovery tv as they were filming james during this years race for a scientific programme analysing how the body reacts under such pressure in the. The marathon des sables mds is the creation of a frenchman named patrick bauer. At one point was the highest british finisher ever in the marathon des sables and has a history of endurance challenges and achievements to rival almost anyone.
The marathon des sables is ranked by the discovery channel as the toughest footrace on earth. We are the organizing body for uk runners looking to enter the crazy hot ultra marathon des sables, tipped. At the time a director of the california superbike school, a race coach in the motogp series and a keepfit fanatic, training for the marathon des sables. You learn new skills which you can feed back into life at home, he adds. What was your toughest marathon des sables learning experience. It has been regarded as the toughest foot race on earth. The show touched on some of his other exploits, like competing in a rowing race across the atlantic, and i knew this guy had to have written a book. Sir ranulph fiennes, the explorer, is competing in the marathon des sables. James cracknell achieved a staggering 12th place finish over a longer and some would argue, harder course and that was with a broken bone in his foot. Walking with the wounded event the marathon des sables, or mds, is ranked by the discovery channel as the toughest footrace on earth. If youve ran this race youll know it changes peoples lives.
James cracknell marathon des sables race day 3 telegraph. Event marathon des sables walking with the wounded. The 31st marathon des sables mds began the morning of sunday, april 10 in the moroccan sahara with more than 1,100 participants toeing the line. Apr 07, 2010 james cracknell is running the marathon des sables, dubbed the toughest footrace on earth. A little run in the sahara by nicola boyd, 27 th marathon des sables 2012. He told the bbcs hardtalk programme about how his injury has affected his relationship with his son and his wife.
It will go down in the history of the race as one of the toughest and most beautiful. In 6 days we will complete an equivalent of almost 6 marathons, over challenging terrain, including a mix of saltpans. In 2016 i won the big red run in australia outright and in 2017 i won the marathon des sables for a second time, placing 11th overall and running the fastest time ever achieved by a woman. On the other hand, the race format does not change. Always on a mission to push herself to the next level, claire decided that her upcoming 40th birthday was the perfect time to enter herself into what has been billed as the toughest footrace on earth. Nov 27, 2014 mauro prosperi was 39 years old when he took part in the 1994 marathon des sables a sixday, 250km 155mile race through the sahara described as the toughest race of its kind. The marathon des sables belfasts first personal trainer. Conceived over 30 years ago by frenchman patrick bauer who traversed the sahara desert alone on foot in 1984, the competitors must provide and carry all their own provisions for the 6 stages, and are only provided with water, rudimentary shelter and safety. The 71yearold is attempting to become the oldest briton to complete the sixday ultramarathon in. Touching distance by cracknell, james, turner, beverley. The team competition was almost a foregone conclusion for first place with so many of the top male. Mauro prosperi was 39 years old when he took part in the 1994 marathon des sables a sixday, 250km 155mile race through the sahara described as the toughest race of its kind. Yes, the same race that double olympic gold medalist james cracknell did and screened by the discovery channel.
This year, walking with the wounded are taking its biggest team yet to the startline. I first met james at the bivouac on the marathon des sables, also known as the mds. To give you an idea of how a nonsaharan might fare, the fastest brit in 2008 was ian sharman who came th overall and completed the race in 25 hours and minutes. I know this is the post you have eagerly been waiting for, at least if you are running marathon des sables in 2017. Sleeping i opted for a down sleeping bag and silk liner as the nights were pretty chilly. Marathon des sables what makes a man take on the sand. In many ways getting ready for the marathon des sables is like any other ultra, except there is just a hell of a lot more things to think about. In a previous life, james cracknell spent too much time mucking about in a boat with big. Discovery ch toughest race on earth with james cracknell. James cracknell was running in the marathon des sables to show. Marathon des sables is a member of vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. Yesterday, it was revealed that double olympic goldwinning rower james cracknell, part of britains golden generation in the sport, is training for next months boat race. Runultra articles marathon des sables hints and tips. Even former rower and hunk james cracknell admitted hes feeling the burn of practice this from the man who ran the infamous marathon des sables across the moroccan desert.
Marathon des sables translates as the marathon of the sands, and it isnt hard to see why. Clearly, not a man who has retired to the pipe and slippers brigade, telling tales of past successes. Marathon des sables ouarzazate, morocco 9282020 my. In the 15 th edition of mds, during the long stage, which is about 50 miles, a russian runner and i got lost in the dunes of mhamid. This multiday race is held every year in southern morocco, in the sahara desert. Not long ago i stumbled across a terrific documentary about cracknells experiences at the marathon des sables, a brutal multistage footrace across the sahara. After two years of thinking and dreaming about i believe i am ready to take on the marathon des sables. Did james cracknell run the perfect marathon analysis. Marathon des sables 2014 the ultrarunning community. One of my commissions was to supply images for discovery tv as they were filming james during this years race for a scientific programme analysing how the body reacts under such pressure in the desert heat. For 7 days in the middle of the sahara desert i grew close to some very special people. Race overview the marathon des sables or mds is a 150155 mile 240250km, sevenday stage race conceived and organized by frenchman patrick bauer and atlantide organisation internationale. The 31st edition and very worthy champions have emerged.
Cracknells career started with the windsorbased indie band the worried parachutes in 1982. While the event can be very demanding if you are racing, the daily time cutoffs are generous enough to allow someone to powerwalk the entire distance. Its a move that many predicted, after he announced last year that he was studying for an mphil in human evolution at cambridge. We house, feed, clothe and educate children to help them break out of the.
Chelmsford, essex, england is an english singersongwriter and lead singer of the electronic music band saint etienne. Duncan slater was the first double amputee to complete the marathon des sables credit. James cracknell to run richtersveld wildrun in south africa. Its the day that makes the marathon des sables and it is the one most feared by the runners. James cracknell runs for the wire in the marathon des sables this article is more than 10 years old former olympic rower competes in 156mile race. Clinical director jon graham and physiofunction client. Follow ranulph fiennes in the marathon des sables telegraph.
Following the demise of the band she released a solo single love is all you need in 1987. At the start of april i competed in the marathon des sables, an event that. The rules require you to be selfsufficient, to carry with you on your back everything except water that you need to survive. The longest single stage 2009 is 91 km 57 mi long and temperatures regularly reach around 50 centigrade. The race is a favourite of mine, ive enjoyed it immensely. In 1984 patrick bauer a french concert promoter decided to set out for an epic walk. Manky feet, 52 degrees c, lots of bloody sand, literally bloody, and the run that sparked the biggest adventure of my life. James cracknell is also pretty good at triathlon and especially cycling, with a sub two hour olympic distance finish on his c. In 2015 i won the marathon des sables, the oman desert marathon and set mutiple course records. Racing the sahara episode 1 bbc documentary 2014 four friends attempt to complete what some describe as the toughest footrace on earth the marathon des sables, a sixday, 250kilometre race. Racing the sahara episode 2 bbc documentary youtube. I finished my last big training session the votwo jurassic coast challenge, 3 marathons in 3 days on the dorset coastal path exactly 2 weeks before the start of the event and spent the next 10 days enjoying some cross training biking, swimming, bikram yoga and completing my final meticulous kit preparation.
Mar, 2020 the marathon des sables is a 250km 6 day selfsupported race held in morocco. I thought to myself if james cracknell could do it then so can i i then started looking into the race myself, the marathon des sables is a race for only the brave and stupid, it entails a 150 mile running race across the sahara desert. Marathon des sables 2017 my story, my film youtube. The secrets of james cracknells 40something superfitness. The marathon des sables is a 250km 6 day selfsupported race held in morocco. James cracknell is running the marathon des sables, dubbed the toughest footrace on earth.
Apr 06, 2010 james cracknell runs for the wire in the marathon des sables this article is more than 10 years old former olympic rower competes in 156mile race through desert strapped up for scientific tests. Since its inception in 1986, the marathon des sables mds has attracted thousands of runners from across to world. The fatheroftwo, who once lived his life at 100 miles an hour, was forced to remain in bed for days at a time and the lifetime dream of completing five and. When james cracknell, at the age of 46, was given a seat to row for cambridge in the boat race, i cried. He hopes to cover approximately 150 miles of the sahara desert in morocco over six days to raise money. Kit lists, marathon des sables by elisabet barnes may 22, 2016 may 23, 2016 with thanks to raidlight, hoka one one, sziols xkross sweden and lyo food. How i drank urine and bat blood to survive bbc news. The marathon des sables dates back to 1984 when a 28year old patrick bauer ventured into the sahara to traverse solo a 350km journey. He carried a rucksack weighing 35kg that contained all the water and food he would need for a journey which would last twelve days. Cracknell s career started with the windsorbased indie band the worried parachutes in 1982. The second stage of this years marathon des sables was 39km with three checkpoints. Mar 05, 2015 i still had a date with marathon des sables a date i knew i needed to make happen sooner rather than later. Jul 11, 2017 the marathon des sables mds is the creation of a frenchman named patrick bauer.
It all started with a documentary featuring james cracknell who ran the marathon des sables in 2010. Competitors have to take on five and a half marathons in five or six days across the sahara desert. Race overview dreamchaser outdoor adventure events. The shoes were complemented with marathon des sables gaiters that were glued to the sole, by the end of the race they were completely broken.
Top runners gear up for marathon des sables runners world. I have even told people, with a vague whiff of arrogance, the race is not that hard. Known as the toughest footrace on earth the marathon des sables is a sixday, 251 km 156 mi ultramarathon held every year in southern morocco, in the sahara desert. Photography by race summaries by emmanuelle lamarle for marathon des sables translations from french to english by niandi carmont the 2016 and 31st edition of the marathon des sables concluded in morocco on saturday april 16th. The scientists are using cracknell as a guinea pig to try to understand how the body copes in extreme conditions.
The double gold medal winning olympic rower, james cracknell tells stephen sackur how an accident which left him with a brain injury has changed his life and put his family relationships under strain. In the 15 th edition of mds, during the long stage, which is about 50 miles, a russian runner and i. Touching distance by cracknell, james, turner, beverley 20. Marathon des sables day 2 results ian campbell adventures. Channel cameras follow olympic rowing champion james cracknell as he prepares for and endures the gruelling marathon des sables a.
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