Marathon des sables known simply as the mds, the race is a grueling multistage adventure through a formidable landscape in one of the worlds most inhospitable climates the sahara desert. Im glad hes running a marathon though, but he should go and run it in a hot climate. Marathon des sables, or mds is a sixday, 251 km 156 mi ultramarathon, which is. A documentary film desert runners follows four people as they try to run ultramarathons through four of the most extreme deserts on earth. Jul 11, 2017 the marathon des sables mds is the creation of a frenchman named patrick bauer. James cracknell is a cofounder of threshold sports, the company behind the race to the stones a new 100km fully supported route along the ridgeway, britains oldest path. Adam cracknell born 1985, canadian professional ice hockey left winger. Why i ran the marathon des sables aged 60 mens running. He carried a rucksack weighing 35kg that contained all the water and food he would need for a journey which would last twelve days. Walking with the wounded event the marathon des sables, or mds, is ranked by the discovery channel as the toughest footrace on earth.
Nov 30, 20 marathon des sables known simply as the mds, the race is a grueling multistage adventure through a formidable landscape in one of the worlds most inhospitable climates the sahara desert. Marathon des sables medical certificate london doctors. Book now for your marathon des sables medical certificate just. James cracknell runs for the wire in the marathon des sables this article is more than 10 years old former olympic rower competes in 156mile race. The secrets of james cracknell s 40something superfitness. The 32nd marathon des sables, the worlds most famous stage race, finished on friday 14th april with a marathon. Carrie cracknell born 1980, british theatre director, artistic director of the gate theatre, london. Competitors have to take on five and a half marathons in five or six days across the sahara desert. Discovery ch toughest race on earth with james cracknell duration.
I first met james at the bivouac on the marathon des sables, also known as the mds. Charles cracknell civil servant, the youth enterprise and employment manager, hull city council, yorkshire. His exploits were filmed for a discovery channel documentary the toughest race on earth to be aired in october 2010. Not in a bad way, not because it drags or its dull, but because so much happens in a single cycle out in the western sahara that time. May 03, 2015 a day in the life of the marathon des sables. Filled with powerful photographs and intimate stories, grand trail portrays ultramarathon champions and their extraordinary world. The doc said te only thing he can give me would break the doping rules. Grand trail features the icons of ultrarunningpeople, places, and racesin spectacular color and black.
Event marathon des sables walking with the wounded. The marathon des sables mds is the creation of a frenchman named patrick bauer. A day in the life of the marathon des sables man v miles. This multiday race is held every year in southern morocco, in the sahara desert. My marathon des sables challenge my journey to run the. One strict rule of the marathon des sables is that all competitors must carry everything else they need, including food, clothing, sleeping bag, cooking equipment, antivenom pump, signalling. She was artistic director of the gate theatre, london from 20072012. May 06, 2018 by the numbers 7 different runners who have won the male race, since 1986. Ever since watching james cracknells documentary on the mds i.
James edward cracknell, obe born 5 may 1972 is a british athlete, rowing champion and. As a fourtime veteran of the marathon des sables in morocco, he knows the race well and gave us an interview before departure. Marathon des sables 2017 my story, my film youtube. British runners have a long history with the mds and. Charles cracknell mbe 19151997, british classical bassoonist and pedagogue. Participants run a series of six marathons though the longest stage could be up to 55 miles in a single day through the sahara while the sun beats down on them and the winds whip up the sands so that it gets everywhere. Yes, the same race that double olympic gold medalist james cracknell did and screened by the discovery channel. Mar, 2020 the marathon des sables is a 250km 6 day selfsupported race held in morocco. I had never run more than 10 kilometres before, and i thought it was a good idea to sign up to whats deemed by the discovery. Captain tom evans, placed third at the 2017 marathon des sables in april, it was a complete surprise. The marathon des sables, a sixday, 156mile event in the sahara gets under way on sunday.
Bankers feel the heat in marathon des sables the times. At one point was the highest british finisher ever in the marathon des sables and has a history of endurance challenges and achievements to rival almost anyone. It has been regarded as the toughest foot race on earth. Clearly, not a man who has retired to the pipe and slippers brigade, telling tales of past successes. The secrets of james cracknells 40something superfitness. He has also completed the sixday marathon des sables for the world wide fund for nature across 160 miles 260 km of the sahara desert and the safaricom marathon in kenya for the tusk trust, with longleat safari park keeper ryan hockley. Completing the toughest foot race on earth gqs jogging with james part 2 duration. Documentary following british adventurer and olympic gold medal rower james cracknell as he competes in the marathon des sables in morocco. He ran the london marathon on 23 april 2006, in a time of 3 hours, finishing over an hour ahead of. Having just retired from my injury plagued football career that day, instead of facing the facts that my life was about to change, i decided to run away from making any real life decisions. A great example of cracknells determination comes from a documentary.
Sleeping i opted for a down sleeping bag and silk liner as the nights were pretty chilly. Rory has run the marathon des sables 11 times, and is doing it again in 2015. Apr 06, 2010 james cracknell runs for the wire in the marathon des sables this article is more than 10 years old former olympic rower competes in 156mile race through desert strapped up for scientific tests. For those of you reading this about to embark on this amazing adventure, here are the tricks and tactics i used to get me through. I knew then already that was something i wanted to do and every day i run, i dream about running in the desert. Great film showcasing what a great athlete james cracknell is and what a. James cracknell, british rower and adventurer, competed in the 2010 race. Marathon des sables peru, dean baker dean baker, 55, participated in the inaugural marathon des sables in peru in novemberdecember 2017. What worked for me might not work for you but here are my top marathon des sables tips for flourishing in the desert. Jul 03, 2017 captain tom evans, placed third at the 2017 marathon des sables in april, it was a complete surprise. Carrie cracknell born 1980 is a british theatre director. Marathon des sables is a member of vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. James cracknell runs for the wire in the marathon des sables. At the 2010 marathon des sables, a sixday, 156mile.
Jun 07, 20 james cracknell is a cofounder of threshold sports, the company behind the race to the stones a new 100km fully supported route along the ridgeway, britains oldest path. I still had a date with marathon des sables a date i knew i needed to make happen sooner rather than later. Known for being the ultimate test of human endurance, the race which takes in a gruelling 250 km across the sahara desert in temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees celsius tests even the toughest athletes to their limit and beyond. Conceived over 30 years ago by frenchman patrick bauer who traversed the sahara desert alone on foot in 1984, the competitors must provide and carry all their own provisions for the 6 stages, and are only provided with water, rudimentary shelter and safety. But he had to try some new moves when he took on duracells. The most memorable years of the marathon des sables. Mar 05, 2015 i still had a date with marathon des sables a date i knew i needed to make happen sooner rather than later. The shoes were complemented with marathon des sables gaiters that were glued to the sole, by the end of the race they were completely broken. By the numbers 7 different runners who have won the male race, since 1986. Hes telling us all about the race, covering the highs and lows, and everything. Three ultra runners face the holy grail of trail running duration. Marathon des sables what makes a man take on the sand.
Mar 24, 2014 it begins again, the marathon des sables. In many ways getting ready for the marathon des sables is like any other ultra, except there is just a hell of a lot more things to think about. Only four american runners, all on the womens side, have won the race. Adam cracknell born july 15, 1985 is a canadian professional ice hockey right winger who is currently playing under contract with hc kunlun red star of the kontinental hockey league khl. After two years of thinking and dreaming about i believe i am ready to take on the marathon des sables. Marathon des sables, or mds, is a sixday, 251 km ultramarathon, which is approximately the distance of six regular marathons. About the marathon des sables sports the timestribune. She was associate director at both the young vic 201220 and the royal court 202014. Grand trail shares the stunning beauty and raw emotions of ultrarunning, paying tribute to the passion and splendor of the sport and lifestyle. Fogle has completed the bupa great north run in 1 hour 33 minutes, the london marathon and the royal parks. Prior to the race, its fair to say, tom had well and truly kept himself under the radar, a skill no doubt honed whilst in the army. Cracknell formerly played as a journeyman in the national hockey league nhl. Marathon des sables, or mds, french for marathon of the sands, also known as sahara marathon is a sixday, 251 km 156 mi ultramarathon, which is approximately the distance of six regular marathons. For the women, the russian natalia sedykh ran a truly brilliant race and surged ahead from the start.
A competitor at marathon des sables, morocco the camp in which competitors sleep at night. In april 2010 cracknell became the highest placed briton ever in the 25 year history of the marathon des sables finishing 12th. Cracknells participation in the race was filmed for the documentary the coldest race on earth aired on the discovery channel. The marathon des sables or marathon of sands is a 156mile footrace, set up in 1986 by frenchman patrick bauer. Well, he was in the desert running the marathon des sables mds, a 257km selfsufficient multistage race in the sahara desert in morocco. The team competition was almost a foregone conclusion for first place with so many of the top male.
In april 2010 cracknell became the highest placed briton ever in the 25year history of the marathon des sables, finishing 12th. The 35th edition of marathon des sables will take place from april 3 to, 2020, an opportunity to remember 35 years of the legendary desert race in pictures. James cracknell achieved a staggering 12th place finish over a longer and some would argue, harder course and that was with a broken bone in his foot. Discovery ch toughest race on earth with james cracknell. In 1984, at the age of 28, patrick decided to attempt a selfsufficient solo crossing of a 350km section of the sahara desert. In 1984 patrick bauer a french concert promoter decided to set out for an epic walk. Now in its 29th year, the epic multiday race in the sahara is considered by many the father of stage racing. Swedens elisabet barnes took her second win in three years. Often called the toughest race on earth we all know that it isnt but one thing is for sure its no walk in the park. I dont want you to get the wrong about me, because i would not say this about many other peopel, but i hope he doesnt finish, because it might deflate his ego. The 31st edition and very worthy champions have emerged. We are the organizing body for uk runners looking to enter the crazy hot ultra marathon des sables, tipped. Extreme determination keeps james cracknell going well into his forties. One of my commissions was to supply images for discovery tv as they were filming james during this years race for a scientific programme analysing how the body reacts under such pressure in the desert heat.
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