Post by desertray on Nov 17, 2012 16:46:39 GMT -5
A fashion model and an octogenarian ran with seasoned athletes in one of this year's ultimate desert running challenge. A Race where runners of all abilities and age can meet, and even compete in what can become the most hostile environment on the planet,
Among many of the returning athletes to the taxing 100k Del Sahara Stage Race, were a top UK female fashion model, an 82-year old woman and four deaf runners. For one septuagenarian female entrant, it was her SEVENTH Sahara strike.
Every athlete puts body and mind to the test in the Del Sahara, treading soft sand in extreme conditions, with just enough support to make this unique event as tough as is necessary, although, this year's fourteenth event was not typical of its predecessors: Heavy rain and bitter gales robbed the runners of both sleep and campfire camaraderie. They battled to keep warm at night by massing in the restaurant tent, But the determined 134 runners and nine walkers set off on their first leg....to launch their attack on the 30m 'big dune' with gusto.
The German athlete Thomas Wittteck took an early lead with the ever 'smiling' Italian, Alice Modignani fronting the first leg for the women and beating her Italian rival Fabiola Ipnel - a former winner of the 100k Namibia Desert run.
Sunshine for day two helped to raise spirits after a sleepless, stormy night for most of the athletes. The English runner Jennifer Hands was runner-up to Modignani at close of this second stage. Massimo Camozzi was 10 seconds in front of the rapidly closing Witteck.
High winds hampered satellite connection to make collation of results difficult.
A Programme of Rest and stretching featured in the camp to help the athletes recovery led by Italian trainer Fulvio Massini .. followed that evening by the additional seven kilometres night run. through the third leg the next day -
UK representative, and desert ultra runner Ray Matthews, who has competed in this fascinating event, described the athletes with their head torches blazing, as looking like a fascinating snake" in the silvery light of the full moon.
Then followed the marathon leg of the event, and hardest stage to overcome, the Spanish Juan Antonio Alegre 'Chinotto' managed to complete in three hours twenty minutes, although Wittek still retained pole position over all and Modignani still led for the women.
This year, Health checks were recorded throughout the race, by Members of the Institute of Clinical Physiology at Pisa, who assessed runners as part of their study on cardiovascular adaptation in a repeated endurance task. We await the results
The storms continued to rage. By the fifth leg, the weary runners had to contend with sand being whipped around their faces and bodies by violent wind. Rain then added to the problems, although it did condense the ground conditions, making it easier underfoot, and less demanding for the weary athletes
Unsurprisingly, Wittek and Modignani romped home to win their categories with respective times of 08:37:01 and 10:16:50. It was a first Sahara win for Alice and a second victory for Wittek who first won in 2008.
Weather conditions this year were extreme and made keeping warm Priority number one for most of the time. Not a statement that would be normal for an event, staged in the Sahara Desert But they added to the challenge."
One British athlete said his treatment had been "like that of an Olympic athlete". He had made friends for life, he said, and looked forward to returning next year.
"Running the Sahara requires a good psychological attitude as well as a specialised training programme," said Ray Matthews.
"The goal of the five star onsite organisations Zitoway Sports and Adventure, is to get each and every participant across the finish line."
Among many of the returning athletes to the taxing 100k Del Sahara Stage Race, were a top UK female fashion model, an 82-year old woman and four deaf runners. For one septuagenarian female entrant, it was her SEVENTH Sahara strike.
Every athlete puts body and mind to the test in the Del Sahara, treading soft sand in extreme conditions, with just enough support to make this unique event as tough as is necessary, although, this year's fourteenth event was not typical of its predecessors: Heavy rain and bitter gales robbed the runners of both sleep and campfire camaraderie. They battled to keep warm at night by massing in the restaurant tent, But the determined 134 runners and nine walkers set off on their first leg....to launch their attack on the 30m 'big dune' with gusto.
The German athlete Thomas Wittteck took an early lead with the ever 'smiling' Italian, Alice Modignani fronting the first leg for the women and beating her Italian rival Fabiola Ipnel - a former winner of the 100k Namibia Desert run.
Sunshine for day two helped to raise spirits after a sleepless, stormy night for most of the athletes. The English runner Jennifer Hands was runner-up to Modignani at close of this second stage. Massimo Camozzi was 10 seconds in front of the rapidly closing Witteck.
High winds hampered satellite connection to make collation of results difficult.
A Programme of Rest and stretching featured in the camp to help the athletes recovery led by Italian trainer Fulvio Massini .. followed that evening by the additional seven kilometres night run. through the third leg the next day -
UK representative, and desert ultra runner Ray Matthews, who has competed in this fascinating event, described the athletes with their head torches blazing, as looking like a fascinating snake" in the silvery light of the full moon.
Then followed the marathon leg of the event, and hardest stage to overcome, the Spanish Juan Antonio Alegre 'Chinotto' managed to complete in three hours twenty minutes, although Wittek still retained pole position over all and Modignani still led for the women.
This year, Health checks were recorded throughout the race, by Members of the Institute of Clinical Physiology at Pisa, who assessed runners as part of their study on cardiovascular adaptation in a repeated endurance task. We await the results
The storms continued to rage. By the fifth leg, the weary runners had to contend with sand being whipped around their faces and bodies by violent wind. Rain then added to the problems, although it did condense the ground conditions, making it easier underfoot, and less demanding for the weary athletes
Unsurprisingly, Wittek and Modignani romped home to win their categories with respective times of 08:37:01 and 10:16:50. It was a first Sahara win for Alice and a second victory for Wittek who first won in 2008.
Weather conditions this year were extreme and made keeping warm Priority number one for most of the time. Not a statement that would be normal for an event, staged in the Sahara Desert But they added to the challenge."
One British athlete said his treatment had been "like that of an Olympic athlete". He had made friends for life, he said, and looked forward to returning next year.
"Running the Sahara requires a good psychological attitude as well as a specialised training programme," said Ray Matthews.
"The goal of the five star onsite organisations Zitoway Sports and Adventure, is to get each and every participant across the finish line."