Marathon des Sables
Shortened Race Comes to a Close
Fredrick Olmqvist / 06.04.2009
We did it!The sun is setting in The Sahara as I write this last report from MDS. Yes, the race has also been cut at the end, due to logistics problems after the heavy rains prior the race. There will soon be a dinner, with much awaited cold beer and a slide show with the best pictures from the race. This will be followed by a concert with 31 musicians from the Paris Opera, who are rehearsing on the stage while runners continue crossing the finish line, celebrated by a cheering, jubilant crowd.
The last stage over 42.2 Km was mostly flat with just a few smaller climbs. With three water stations there was no need for dehydration, as long as you eat your salt tablets. There were many emotional scenes at the finish by runners, in some cases a long, long hug with family members, like the one Martin Dokkedal from Denmark got from his wife Petra, who had travelled 19 hours to surprise him. “I have to say I wasn't prepared for that,� said a smiling Martin, who was content finishing his first MDS.
“Compared to really long ultra races that I have done before I must admit that I like the stage race concept. Here you get to enjoy the running since you can recover some after each stage. It's just a pity two stages were cut out, I liked the atmosphere with the other runners and the chatting around the stove.�
The hardest part for Martin was the long stage, which he finished in 20 hours, walking a big part with blisters under his feet. “It's tough when you get sand inside the open blisters. But it's part of the race and I really enjoyed the marathon stage today. It was hotter than the other days, more what I expected running in the desert would be like.�
Fastest in the last stage was Moroccan Aziz El Akad, who did the 42,2 km in 2,52. Mohammed Ahansal was second today but is the overall winner (his 3rd MDS victory). Myself I had a bad start with stomach problems, but I got better after some pills from the medics at CP 1. My finishing time was 4.18 (59th ) which gave me 27th place in the general ranking.See All Event Posts
