Marathon des Sables
Never Stop Running
03.04.2009
The day after the ultra stage of 90,1 km (the longest in the race's history) there are not many who aren't limping with blistered feet and sore legs. Many runners are actually still out on the course having slept a few hours in one of the checkpoint tents. A car arrives with runners who have abandoned, among them 10 time winner and MDS biggest star Lahcen Ahansal who stopped at CP 4: “I didn't have the strength in my legs and I lacked motivation to continue.� He said. This was the 17th MDS for 38 years old Ahansal, but not the last. “I will return next year, you can count on that,� he says explaining that he’s hardly done any racing for two years prior this race. As a young boy he watched the race passing his village and was allowed to run a stage. He points at a nomad tent: “I was a nomad you know.� Today he lives part time in Germany and part time in Morocco. Another strong runner, Spaniard Jorge Aubeso, 5th last year, is also out. According to medical staff this year feet aren't the big problem, since it isn't as hot as in some previous editions. Instead stomach problems are numerous. So far 33 have abandoned the race.
Ahansal's brother Muhammad is currently top of the general ranking after winning the ultra stage in an impressive 8.08. Myself I'm currently in 24th position after finishing the long stage in 11h35 (26th).The field started at 9am leaving the top 55 runners to start three hours later under a blue sky but with strong winds and the occasional mini tornado, so we were covering our faces with buffs and sunglasses.
After a few hours I teamed up with Christian Vahon from Montreal which proved to be a very good call. After having failed two times on the long stage in Jungle Marathon I needed to pace myself to be able to run the whole stage. Resting at the CP's was very tempting but in Christian's strategy sitting is not included, or even walking. After several hours trotting in the darkness with our tiny headlamps lit to avoid rocks and holes he explains: “I have a son of 1.5 years, and my wife said: if you are going to do this race there is only one thing I ask from you: Never stop running! That's what keeps me going, that's why I always run and never walk.�See All Event Posts
