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| Géraldine
Courdesses (153, France) |
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MDS2006 /© Pierre-Emmanuel
Rastoin |
Géraldine
Courdesses (153, France) The revelation
It’s often said that what
counts on the Marathon des Sables,
is experience. Just five days ago,
Géraldine Courdesses knew
nothing of the desert. Yet today
she’s leading the women’s
race. She’s steadily won the
stages and increased the lead on
her rivals. Her partner Alain Aubrion
(154, France), has done two MDS;
finishing in the top 20 each time.
Géraldine used to follow the
rankings on internet and worry herself
silly. This year they’re here
together but refuse to run side by
side. As Alain, in 36th position
overall, comments: « it’s
impossible, I think I’d just
get on her nerves more than anything
else ». Géraldine agrees: “this
is a race where you have to look
inside yourself…. I like to
be focused… to concentrate
on what I’m doing». And
one piece of info that should encourage
the biggest sloaths around: when
Géraldine used to be a sprinter
she simply refused to run more than
800metres. She’s clearly come
a long way since then. |
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MDS2006 /© Pierre-Emmanuel
Rastoin |
The Kayser family is running as a team
: « Roi Grenouille et princesses » (King
frog and princesses). Dad and Mum
Kayser and their two daughters Anne
and Lis. Every day they share their
experience of the race
Mark Kayser
(5 participations) : «I
didn’t wait for my princesses
today, I wanted to use this stage
to get a good time (4h24 mn). After
a bit of a rest and footcare I went
about 10kms back into the race but
didn’t manage to find the girls.
They were waiting for me when I got
back to the bivouac. Bit of a shame… I
did 15kms or so for nothing but it
was a superb stage… »
Simone Kayser (5 participations,
3 victories) : «We’re
were smiling from start to finish
and for me it was one of the most
wonderful stages of all the MDS I’ve
taken part in. Lis kept us very amused
and it was motivating. My time is
certainly the worst I’ve ever
had for a marathon (6h 37mn) but
it was such a wonderful day….
If only Mark had been at the finish
line … ! »
Ann (age 24, first time) : «For
the first time we ran virtually the
whole stage and we did it quicker
than stage 2 (35 km). As Dad wasn’t
with us, we latched on to a Canadian
who showed us the way in the dunes.
We’re really grateful to him… «
Lis (age 23, first time) : «This
was the nicest stage so far and it
went by much faster than a classic
road marathon, thanks to the variety
of the terrain. What’s more,
for the first time we got cool water
at the check-points and the weather
felt almost cold out there… compared
to the other days. I met a lot of
runners on the course… »
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Results 6 are available
(last update 15/04/06 - 22h50
french time)
number of dropping out (stage 6) : 0 |
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June 2005 : opening date for application.
31 july 2005 : application deadline.
28 february 2006 : closing date for fees.
07 april 2006 : departure* France/Morocco, transfer to first bivouac.
08 april 2006 : technical and administrative checks,
acclimatisation day.
09 - 15 april 2006 : the event.
16 april 2006 : transfer, dinner and night at hotel, relaxation,
lunch (at participants’expense), awards, entertainment,
dinner, night at hotel.
18 april 2006 : return* to France.
* those not taking the charter flight to and from France are required to book
their own flight arrangements. Contact your country representative for further
details.
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