The race is run in the Sahara Desert in Southern Morocco at Easter time when temperatures are at their hottest.

Temperatures can climb as high as 120 degrees during the day but fall to minus figures overnight, this is the largest day to night fluctuation in the world.

The route is kept secret each year until we get into the desert but will cover sowewhere in the region of 150-155 miles over varied terrain.

The event is run in set stages with time limits over 7 days.

Competitors are totally self sufficient apart from the eight person open sided tents which are set up each night by the organizers.

As soon as we go 'self sufficient' everything must be carried to last for the duration of the whole race. Starting pack weight is generally between 10 and 15 kilo's.

As I am likely to be using around 4000 calories per day the correct food choices are critical, food has to be high in calories, light in weight and able to last in the intense heat.

Water is rationed and distributed each day at camps and checkpoints, normally around 10 litres per day day which has to last for cooking aswell as proper hydration.

Due to the the heat you are advised to wear trainers 1 size too big to allow for swelling although severe blisters and foot trauma are still expected.

THE SUPPORT:

  • 100 volunteers on the course itself
• 400 support staff overall
• 100 000 litres of bottled water
• 150 berber and saharan tents
• 100 all-terrain vehicles
• 1 "Ecureuil" helicopter and 1 "Cesna" plane
• 3 mountain bike
• 6 "MDS special" commercial planes
• 18 bus
• 4 camels
• 20 000 litres of diesel, 5 000 litres of petrol,10 000 litres of kerosene
• 40 members of medical team
• 5 km of Elastoplast , 2 700 Compeed, 15 000 compresses
• 2 800 pairs of gloves, 2 300 antibiotics, 5 300 painkillers
• 125 litres of disinfectant
• 1 editing bus, 5 cameras, 1 satellite image station
• 6 satellite telephones, 15 computers, fax and internet

TYPICAL DISTANCE / TIME BREAKDOWN:

DAY 1 - 15 miles

DAY 2 -   25 miles

DAY 3 -   23 miles

DAY 4 -   52 miles

DAY 5 - rest day or complete previous day.

DAY 6 - 26.2 miles

DAY 7 -   11 miles

WHAT'S WAITING FOR ME!

Death Stalker Scorpion
Leiurus quinquestriatus

The Death Stalker Scorpion may be small, but it is the most toxic scorpion on earth. In general, scorpions with slim and narrow pincers are equipped with more toxic venom. Powerful venom compensates for the scorpion’s weaker pincers and lack of brawny strength. This scorpion’s sting delivers extremely toxic venom that can cause extreme pain, convulsions, paralysis, and even death by heart or respiratory failure. The Death Stalker Scorpion is found in North Africa and the Middle East. Definitely worth checking my trainers every morning before i put them on! 

Death Stalker Scorpion

The Egyptian cobra (Naja haja), is a type of venomous snake native to North Africa and the Middle East. The Egyptian cobra is the most common cobra in Africa and is responsible for many deaths in Africa. It lives from the Sahara Desert to the Syrian Desert.                                       Egyptian Cobra                                                                                                           

Desert Horned Viper (Cerastes cerastes) is a venomous viper species native to the deserts of Northern Africa and parts of the Middle East. They often are easily recognized by the presence of a pair of supraocular horns, although hornless individuals do occur. Almost impossible to spot until it's too late as they bury in the sand during the day with just the horns exposed but will strike if trodden on.                       

Desert Horned Viper

The camel spider is not dangerous and typically does not bite humans unless it is on accident or they feel threatened, as is the case with other spiders. Like other spider bites, it is important to consult a doctor immediately after being bitten by a camel spider. These spiders can run at speeds of up to 10mph and will chase you even if you run because they will try to get into the shade that your shadow creates.

  Camel Spider     

Sandstorms are the other thing that I'm hoping not to see. These can be whipped up extremely quickly and can reduce visibility to zero within minutes. Obviously this is extremely disorientating and if it happens we are instructed to stop in our tracks and wait to be picked up by the officials. 

  Sandstorm