Just got back from Marathon Des Sables. Finished the race and i have to admit I was incredibly impressed with the organization and execution of the event. Patrick and their group ran an incredible event and this year’s event was top of the line. The event itself was tough, but achievable and I’m glad i did the event.
I am wondering besides Racing The Planet, are there any other Multi-day running events around the world with similar formats in exotic locations? I heard of the Jungle Marathon in South America and may look into this one for 2008. Has anyone done this event before? Any feedback?
Absolutely amazing. Many people in the race had also done the MDS and they said that the organization of this race was comparable to the MDS. It was insanely cold this year and everything still was done very well. A great prize purse too. I would recommend it to anyone!!
I love mutli-day events. Hence the DeSoto American TripleT is such a great race with the 4 triathlons over a 3 day period. Never done a multi day strictly running event though - sounds great!
The Himalayan 100 mile stage race is something that I would love to do at some point in my life and it includes the stage 3 Mt Everest Marathon and through the thing you get to see Everest, Lhotse and Kanchenjunga. This year’s event goes from Oct 26th to Nov 2nd and it is a part of India where my parents used to vacation when they were kids (thus my desire to visit). There is also a Mtn bike “rally” during the same 8 day period…might be a saner way to enjoy the Himalayan scenery:
*"Himalayan Run & Trek “The Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race is the most spectacular running course in the world!” said a past winner. During the Race, views of Mt. Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, and Kanchenjunga (4 out of 5 of the world’s highest peaks) are visible. Regardless of your level of ability - whether a 10K, marathon, or ultramarathon runner - you can run at your own pace. There are no age limits or stage cutoff times. Five daily stages of 24 - 20 - 26 - 13 - 17 miles (31 Oct. to 07 Nov., 2006) are designed for middle distance runners. Alternating running and walking, you can easily take in mountain views, catch a glimpse of national Park wildlife, and chat with villagers at fully stocked aid stations every few miles. This event was first held in 1991. * The Mt. Everest Challenge Marathon was called “The World’s Most Beautiful Marathon” by the editor of Runners World Magazine (UK 3/96). The 8 day trip sets a comfortable pace allowing acclimatization days to relax at Mirik Lake Resort, visit monasteries, tea estates, Himalayan mountaineering museum, Darjeeling markets, and enjoy spectacular views of Everest and Kanchenjunga at Sandakphu National Park. Runners may run as they wish during the first two days of the Stage Race. The Marathon is run on 04 Nov., 2006, Saturday (Stage Race Day 3) from Sandakphu (11,815 ft) along a ridge line footpath with spectacular mountain views. At about 18 miles, the course turns down through lush jungle and remote villages to reach Rimbik (6600 ft). Remaining days are free to run or walk."
MDS was a great experience. The scenery left me speechless and conditions were tough.
I did a somewhat standard running base training for the event (~80 mpw) and did NO heat training and very little backpack training and still performed well in the race. If i had to do anything new for these kind of races, I’d get more used to carrying 25 lb bags on my butt as the heavy workload was rough for the first 2-3 days.
In terms of the race being billed as the world’s “toughest foot race”, it is a debateable issue. People are sore and some people hurt more than others. I was fortutious in getting 0 (zero) blisters but my feet have traditionally held well. I LOVE the heat, with a big L-O-V-E and I actually felt the heat was a non-issue for this race. It rarely went over 35 degrees and the windy conditions made running conditions manageable so long as people were smart with their pacing. The whole race is about pacing and control. I certainly felt my 100-miler was tougher on an overall part than the MDS, but both events were done at different points in my life.
One of the biggest surprises, however, was how cold it got at night. I cannot stand the cold and the windy/frigid conditions at night were a complete shock to me. I did have to use my emergency blanket at nite just to augment my sleeping conditions at night.
In terms of overall event, finishing MDS is certainly an achievement, a really big one (on the same level, if not higher, than my Ironman). It’s a tough event, organized and executed INCREDIBLY well. Loved the “vacation” and I would do this again, but next time I’m doing it with other people to add more flavor to things…