DUTCH DES SABLES
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Mohamed Aboukhalil (F – D 234)
Issam El Zein (Sen – D 139)
Sporting
tourists from Senegal
They have several points in common. They’re
from Lebanon, dreamt of discovering the desert, taking
part in MARATHON DES SABLES and are the first competitors
to represent Senegal. Each has his reasons. Following
a car accident and more than 9 months convalescence,
Issam decided to do MDS to prove he was still capable
of affronting difficult physical challenges. The
timing was good because Mohamed was looking to share
his first marathon with someone.
They don’t have much of a sporting background.
Their aim is to make the most of this unique experience
from both a sporting and human perspective. Mohamed
enjoys chatting to people on the bivouac – complete
strangers but it’s feel as if you’ve
known them for years. What’s more he organisation
is irreproachable: “you’d think people
had been chosen just to put you at your ease ».
The both simply want to get to the finish line. « I
came to get a medal and won’t leave without
it », avows Issam. The MDS has given him an
exceptional lesson in courage. Seeing a blind runner
and her guide, he admits that “in moments of
real fatigue, I think of them and tell myself there’s
no reason to give up”.
Once back home, Mohamed plans to put his medal on
his front door and « anyone who doesn’t
bow before it will be sent running ».
