Shortly after 1:00, high winds brought on an unexpected sandstorm that caused organizers to pause the race for the day. Per regulations, he picked up his allotted 2 liter ration of water and continued running. On April 14th, 1994, blistering sun elevated temperatures to 115☏ as Prosperi passed the third checkpoint, 20 miles into the day's journey. The fourth day of the Marathon des Sables constitutes its longest single stage, with a 57-mile trek through the desert between campsites. The present-day MdS has far higher attendance than it did in '94. As a result, Prosperi says he was on his own for most of the six-day journey. Although it now draws roughly 1,300 participants each year, providing a heightened sense of safety in numbers, the 1994 event reportedly had only 134 competitors. My wife, Cinzia, thought I was insane – the race is so risky that you have to sign a form to say where you want your body to be sent in case you die.”Īfter intense preparation, he flew to Morocco to begin the race. “I love a challenge so I started training immediately, running 40km (25 miles) a day, reducing the amount of water I was drinking to get used to dehydration. Prosperi recalled his reaction to learning about the infamously-difficult ultramarathon:
At the time, he was 39 years old and married with three young children. In 1994, Italian police officer and former Olympic pentathlete Mauro Prosperi was looking to push his physical limits. The following promotional video shows the sights of the 33rd annual Marathon des Sables, which will commence this month. Water is rationed and if you exceed the ration, you get a time penalty.” Communal goat’s-hair Berber tents are pitched every night but, apart from that you have to take it with you.
You have to be self-sufficient and carry all your own food and equipment for the week on your back. “MdS is a truly grueling multi-stage adventure through a mythical landscape in one of the world’s most inhospitable environments – the Sahara desert. The marathon's website describes it as follows:
It takes place in the Sahara desert, specifically southern Morocco.
Also known as the Marathon of the Sands or the Sahara Marathon, the Marathon des Sables has been called the toughest foot race on Earth. This six-day annual ultramarathon covers 156 miles - roughly the same as six regular marathons.
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