Day 1 Report
Finally, the first day of the race. We were promised a route of 25 kilometres with stony ground, soft sand and then 2-3 miles of dunes to finish. By now most of us were just eager to get started, even if a little nervous too. Above all though, the general feeling was one of excitement. In retrospect I have realised that I was far too relaxed and that I had managed to subdue the detailed and all to painful memories of my last Marathon des Sables.
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As we set off this morning, the race the organisers decided to release a handful of doves of peace. We were momentarily moved of course, but not long after we were also concerned about their ability to find food in the world's largest desert. This afternoon some wag decided that they might already be doves of resting in peace.
What I had completely forgotten since my last outing in the Sahara was how heavy my full pack was. This time I am trying out a new pack to see what I think of it. And what I think after one day is that my shoulders are extremely sore.. the straps have been biting into them and my muscles have been straining against them. To end the first stage of the "world's toughest foot race" with shoulders that are sorer than my legs was something of a novelty. But at least I finished without any blisters. And this despite the fact that my gaiters and shoes happily channelled sand directly into my socks, which then managed to find its way inconveniently beneath my toes.
My running buddy for the day was a Kiwi called Andy Peek, a 37-year-old electrical engineer from London. No sooner than we had hit a patch of soft, beach-like sand, he piped up:
"In NZ it's a real arse when we have to cross sand like this on our way down to the surf" He paused for a moment before continuing: "Here we've got a whole desert of it. "
I don't suppose he's going to like the 15 km of dunes scheduled for tomorrow. Having been there before I know that they rise to about 600 feet and they are the second highest in Africa.
We arrived in 3.5 hours, grateful to see the finish line after fighting our way through the final dunes. We were pleasantly surprised to find that several runners that we know, including Charlie Miers and Tom Lawley, both in our tent, had finished within the top 100, in times of about 2.45 and 2.50 respectively. Andy and I consoled ourselves with the thought that we are ten years older than them and happy with our 300th position out of 670. Chris Webb, a runner I mentioned - he was ill with an upset stomach yesterday.. appears to have recovered well. He also finished in about 2.45. We were lucky with the weather today. There was a mild cross-breeze which took the edge off the 27 degree heat and made for quite pleasant running conditions.
Relaxing in our tent after the first stage we were surprised to see another young Brit arriving at the next tent who has been carrying a huge shovel all day. We decided that he must have lost a bet some time recently. I will endeavour to find out before the week is out who is this "MAN WITH SPADE". Later on, to camp-wide applause, seven British runners from the Save the Rhino charity arrived, complete with the cumbersome rhino costume which they have all been taking it in turns to wear.
Charlotte finished today's stage in one piece, physically and mentally that is, in 4 hours 41 minutes. She spent the day running with her friend Beth Wright, a 27 year old lawyer from London. They seemed to be both in high spirits and grateful to have got the first day under their belt.
I am writing this article in our tent, from which all I can see is an expanse of low-lying sand-dunes lit golden by the late afternoon light, and the occasional runner foraging for firewood. It beats Clapham Junction train station at any rate. Across the other side of the camp on the other hand we can see mountain-sized dunes. I have this sense of foreboding that I know we are heading there tomorrow morning.
