A legendary race that takes place in moroccos southern sahara. Realistically i know im never going to win a marathon, so the most important thing is. The race the marathon des sables is a foot race, open to runners and walkers, with several stages, free style, and with food selfsufficiency over a distance of about 250 km. James cracknell runs for the wire in the marathon des sables. Totally selfsufficient, with a rucksack weighing 35kg and containing water and food, he set off on a journey which was to last 12 days. Im taking the plane to morocco, to ouarzazate, to the gateway of the sahara. Laugavegur ultra marathon iceland race documentary 2015 duration. The marathon des sables, a sixday race through the sahara desert, has a hardwon reputation as the toughest footrace on earth. I have been back in the uk a week form my marathon des sables adventure, ive spent the last week recovering, eating some fresh tasty food, and having a few small celebrations.
In 1984 patrick bauer a french concert promoter decided to set out for an epic walk. Tarahumara running people born to run goshen documentary duration. If you are not a resident of the us but wish to register for the event, please visit. Competitors need to carry all their food, water and survival equipment. Each participant must carry hisherown backpack containing food, sleeping gear and other material. 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. Marathon des sables had really done a number on me, but i took a big scalp from it after completing the ultra. He completed the final stage in 1 hour, 33 minutes, and 20 seconds. This was my first ultramarathon race and it was also the best week in my life. It was first run in 1986, with 186 competitors, and 32 years later that number is close to 1200. Time to get fixed up by the amazing french volunteers who sorted us out in the medical tent, rehydrate, refuel and get ready for the final countdown the following, and final, day. James cracknell explains what the marathon des sables is and what conditions you have to endure in order to succeed. 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.
The marathon des sables is a gruelling 251km, sixday race through the sahara desert. The marathon des sables has been something ive long wanted to do having met running friends early in my running career who had, and were about to run it. Get youtube premium get youtube tv best of youtube music. Brothers in the sand full length documentary about 5. He hopes to cover approximately 150 miles of the sahara desert in morocco over six days to raise money. The 35th edition of marathon des sables will take place from april 3 to, 2020, an opportunity to remember 35 years of the legendary desert race in pictures. I packed and repacked my bags countless times and panicked more than i care to admit. The 30th marathon des sables mds began the morning of sunday, april 5 in the moroccan sahara with more than 1,300 participants toeing the line at this special anniversary event. My first challenge was breaking the news to my girlfriend, who while incredibly supportive was less than impressed by the documentary i showed her of. The final few days before i left for marathon des sables were a blur of hug filled goodbyes and concern laden good lucks. Trail running and ultra running documentaries youtube.
Courtney dauwalter ultra running documentary film exploring. It was the starting point of what was to become the marathon des sables. The 34rd edition of the race started april 7, and will cover. Mohamad ahansal of morocco runs a perfect marathon des sables in 2010 by winning each and every stage of the races six stages.
Race profile of marathon des sables from grand trail. Marathon des sables 2014 the ultrarunning community. He placed 15th and was part of the secondplaced team at the 2017 marathon des sables, after only five weeks training and is grateful to contours trail running holidays for the place. Twentythree runners participated in the race with bernard. The marathon des sables mds is the toughest footrace on earth. We are the organizing body for uk runners looking to enter. He covered 350 km 214 mi in 12 days without encountering a single oasis or desert community along the way. Two years later in 1986 the first marathon des sables was run. The marathon des sables was definitely a big moment.
Marathon des sables dreamchaser outdoor adventure events. I first met james at the bivouac on the marathon des sables, also known as the mds. I found james cracknell documentary very good from a point that he was in top shape and he found the mental side of the event very tough. The marathon was the brainchild of french concert promoter patrick bauer who in 1984 traversed the sahara desert on foot and alone. And the marathon des sables marathon of the sands was born, a multistage race of roughly 250k it varies each year through moroccos sahara desert. 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, commonly referred to in hushed tones by the acronym mds, ranks as one of the great badges of honour for endurance runners. His exploits were filmed for a discovery channel documentary the toughest race on earth to be aired in october 2010. James cracknells race across america to air tonight. Discovery ch toughest race on earth with james cracknell duration. Marathon des sables photo slideshow business insider. Documentary about 5 brothers attempting the marathon des sables. The marathon des sables takes place yearly in late march or early april in a remote section of the southern sahara desert, south of ouarzazate, morocco.
In 2012 i ran the marathon des sables, a sixday 251km 156miles ultramarathon in the sahara desert. 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. James cracknell is running the marathon des sables, dubbed the toughest footrace on earth. I had 5 months from the time i signed until race day, and i had never ran more than. Im alan thornburrow, i have been running ultra marathons for the last 5 years or so. I was a relative latecomer to running, starting in my mid thirties but was quickly drawn to the longer stuff. Footage from the 2016 marathon des sables race event.
In april 2010 cracknell became the highest placed briton ever in the 25year history of the marathon des sables, finishing 12th. Looking back at the 2018 marathon des sables, considered one of the most demanding ultramarathons in the world, where about 1,000 competitors raced six days and 150 miles through the sahara desert. But before long, as the songs goes, all my bags were packed and i was ready. A documentary about the race that almost claimed the life of olympic rowing gold medallist james cracknell is to be broadcast tonight at 9pm on discovery channel uk.
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. My marathon des sables it is real, raw, and detailed. I absolutely loved going back to basics, carrying all my food for the week on my back, sleeping under the stars, exploring a beautiful part of the world and. On the other hand, the race format does not change. James cracknell got two olympic gold medals in rowing and has won the rowing world championships six times. For those unfamiliar, the mds is a sevenday, sixstage race only the first five stages count toward the rankings this year in which competitors carry all their own supplies except for a daily water. This highest ever placing was beaten in 20 by another briton, danny kendall who finished 10th. Discovery ch toughest race on earth with james cracknell. Documentary following british adventurer and olympic gold medal rower james cracknell as he competes in the marathon des sables in morocco. The creation of the first marathon des sables in the moroccan sahara. Racing the sahara episode 2 by juan antonio dominguez. 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. Basically, over 6 days i will run approximately 250k.
Did james cracknell run the perfect marathon analysis. His next stop is the inov8 sponsored innsbruck alpine trail running festival, which he hopes will have less sand and much more food. As has been the case most of the week, jordans salameh al aqra managed to stay closer to ahansal than anyone else. I was also really proud when i ran a marathon in 2. James cracknell is running the marathon des sables, dubbed the toughest footrace on earth, covering approximately 150 miles of the sahara desert in morocco over six days to raise money for mencap. My first ever race, and i chose the marathon des sables.
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