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Rabat station, 1.35pm. I just manage to make the train; as usual... In as little as one hour, I will be in Casablanca .
The summer temperature reminds me of that of the Sahara in April, and the air conditioning has broken down...
I quite regularly travel to the Kingdom of Morocco, on average twice a month, and it’s been this way for the last 25 years.
I love this country and its inhabitants: it’s my second fatherland! I am always happy to set off on my travels and just as happy to return back home to my family. This is my balance, and the reason why my passion and enthusiasm have remained intact for a quarter of a century; what a happy state of affairs!
I regret the dry heat of the desert. I’m sweating buckets. The ocean appears behind the windows of my travelling hammam and I enjoy dreaming of a refreshing dip.
Like many of you, I plan my race preparation, as each edition is a new challenge. Yesterday’s certainties are no longer those of the future. The "MDS" has been avant-garde and a precursor; today it is moving with the times and setting the trail for a real revolution.
I think about Michael Wardian, 3rd place on the medal rostrum in 2010. A great debut for an American competitor and an impressive performance; he was !th in 2009. Why not envisage a press conference in the US this year? It’s the right time to communicate within this vast territory...
Next week, it will be Barcelona; a homage to the Spanish participants who won the team and women’s event.
Bravo Monica! You weren’t expecting to take the highest place on the medal rostrum! You are an angel of kindness and simplicity; your wings lifted you to victory!
You made me cry during the prize ceremony in Ouarzazate; I wasn’t the only one...
Thank you, life, for continuing and allowing us to share in these great emotions!
My dear Mohamad, son of the desert, your fourth Saharan victory – you need no wings to fly through the competition!
Nothing is a given; the Ahansal saga nevertheless continues after 14 years - hats off to you!
I am obliged to reveal a few of your secrets: intensive preparation in the Atlas mountains for six months, a smooth-running race strategy and at least one litre of Sultan green tea every day, as prepared by your mother since you were very young! Sorry, I’ve said it! I know you’ll forgive me...
This evening, I’m going to meet someone who’s been my friend for a long time now - Mr M'jid, the President of the foundation with the same name. A whole life devoted to the most deprived and to respecting human rights. Ninety years old, with unparalleled humour and pertinence! President, I hope I remain as young as you for a long time!
Thank you for your patronage and presence at the "Sport Eveil Académie", our sports initiation centre for the children of Ouarzazate.
For those of you who wish to join us, visit our "darbaroud.com" website to find out more and give us your support, however modest – we need it.
I really like the photograph at the top of this page, as it symbolises all the High Benevolence and fidelity which His Majesty King Mohammed VI has given our competition through his High Patronage for fifteen consecutive years. For all those who, for the last 25 years, have come from all around the world, this is also testimony to the support and trust of a whole Kingdom.
The best stories are those which last.
So, see you very soon for new adventures in this exceptional country of Morocco!
The Race Manager Patrick Bauer
MEDIAS LIVE
FROM THE DESERT
During the competition, reports went out each day to televisions all over the world.
More than 1000 television channels in more than 200 countries have access to images from the MARATHON DES SABLES.
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES: Reuter, SNTV, EVS, MAP, AFP, etc.
INTERNATIONAL CHANNELS: Eurosport 2 (46 countries/32 million homes), TV5 World (203 countries/198 million homes), Eurosport (59 countries in 20 languages/120 million homes), Al Jazzeera, France 24, Euronews.
NATIONAL CHANNELS: Arte, TV3, Rai Sport, HR3, Aryadia, RTM, 2M, TF1, France 2, M6, BFM, Infos Sport, LCI, Equipe TV, Orange TV, BBC, TVE, Medi 1 Sat, …
WEB: Dailymotion, You tube, Lequipe.fr, Runnersworld.com, TV5.com, Jogginginternational.com, darbaroud.com, …
The MARATHON DES SABLES organisational team is equipped with the best performing equipment.
- new Panasonic card cameras,
- featherweight satellite broadcasting station.
The written press devoted almost 700 articles to this latest edition:
- sending of a daily press release to the main international press agencies.
For each stage, the darbaroud.com website offers:
- the ranking,
- a selection of photos,
- video clips,
- radio interviews,
- message exchanges between participants and their families, as well as their sponsors. More than 33,000 emails were sent in 2009.
SOLIDARITY Many MDS competitors find an additional motivation in deciding to run to raise funds for charity work.
The MDS organisation team encourages these actions and has always been involved in the successful realisation of important projects in collaboration with other associations:
- eight solar pumps have been installed,
- distribution of school materials in isolated villages,
- development of a school in Taright, with a toilet block and solar heated showers,
- construction of an artisanal complex for women in Jdaid, with a workshop, school, crèche, meeting room, kitchen, toilet block and dispensary.
MDS has recently created the association SOLIDARITE MARATHON DES SABLES. Its welcome structure in Ouarzazate was officially inaugurated after the finish of the 25th MDS, in the presence of Mr Abdeslem Bikrate, governor of the province and Mr M’Jid, President of the M.J.I.D.
Foundation (Moroccan Foundation for Young People, Initiative and Development),
official sponsor of the project, as well as several partners and financial supporters.
The centre aims to promote the teaching of fundamental and universal values through sport from the youngest age, raise awareness of hygiene and safety among mothers and provide literacy classes.
SPORT EVEIL ACADEMIE (SPORTS INITIATION ACADEMY)
- from 3 - 5 years EVEIL CORPOREL (BODY INITIATION)
- from 6 - 11 years INITIATION ATHLETISME (ATHLETICS INITIATION)
- child development, motor skills,
- social and educative relationships
- monitoring children over 11 according to their sporting competences
FEMMISSIMA
WELCOME CENTRE FOR WOMEN
Support classes:
- child education
- hygiene and health
- microproject
Literacy
...
For more information: smds@darbaroud.com
ECOLOGY Environmental protection is part of MARATHON DES SABLES’ ethics, translated through several practical actions:
- documents printed on recycled paper,
- ban on throwing numbered bottles and miscellaneous packaging on the course, with penalties imposed,
- use of ecological bin bags,
- waste collection and destruction,
- self-combustion incinerator to destroy waste,
- cleaning and dissolution processes using biodegradable products for our toilets,
- distribution of pocket ashtrays. The MARATHON DES SABLES has its carbon footprint analysed
2010 Results: - Decrease in Quads onsite.
- Rigorous management of lorry movements and use of light vehicles for logistical supply to the CP.
- Use of renewable energy for lighting at the CP, in the commissaires’ tent and in the clinic. 2011 Objective:
The MDS has compensated for its consumption of CO2 in 2010 by making a financial contribution to installing renewable energies, amounting to 28,938 Euros, in accordance with the carbon footprint analysis result.
ATLANTIDE
ORGANISATION Ever attentive for 25 years now • 100 volunteers on the course itself
• 400 support staff overall • 120 000 liters of mineral water • 270 berber and saharan tents • 100 all-terrain vehicles • 2 “Ecureuil” helicopter and 1 “Cessna” plane • 3 mountain bikes • 6 “MDS special” commercial planes • 23 buses • 4 camels • 1 incinerator lorry for burning waste • 4 quads to ensure environment and safety on race • 52 members of medical team • 6,5 kms of Elastoplast , 2 700 Compeed, 19 000 compresses • 6 000 painkillers, 150 liters of disinfectant • 1 editing bus, 5 cameras, 1 satellite image station • 6 satellite telephones, 15 computers, fax and internet • 1 grain of folly,...
OVER 11 000 COMPETITORS
SINCE 1986 30 % repeat competitors
70 % international
30 % French
14 % women
45 % veterans
30 % in teams of three or more
10 % walkers
90 % alternate walking and running
14 km/hr: average maximum speed
3 km/hr: average minimum speed
Age of youngest competitor: 16
Age of oldest competitor: 78
The DARBAROUD.COM website a formidable communication tool - French and English version.
- information on past editions (ranking, photos, road book, etc.).
- brochure and rules for the 26th SULTAN MDS.
- competitors’ meeting forum (advice on training, equipment, etc.).
- specifications on certain rule points, reminder of basic instructions.
- presentation of the official teams.
transmission of the race state of mind.
- information on Solidarité MARATHON DES SABLES
- daily monitoring of runners equipped with the RACETRACKER system
- specific information on Morocco (environment, travel, news).
- 158,527 individual visitors; 3,000,000 pages read
TIMING • June 2010: opening date for application. • 30 september 2010: application deadline. • 31 january 2011: closing date for fees. • 01 april 2011: departure* France/Morocco, transfer to first bivouac. • 02 april 2011: technical and administrative checks, acclimatisation day. • 03 to 09 april 2011: the event.
• 09 april 2011: transfer, dinner and night at hotel. • 10 april 2011: relaxation, lunch (at participants’ expense), awards, entertainment, dinner, night at hotel. • 11 april 2011: 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.
