The Cellar - Sports In Visual - A Day to Remember

I am interested in extreme sports. From a spectators angle but there is still so much to appreciate as these Sahara marathon runners I saw the other night on a news program.
I think there's some '09 races coming up for anyone that is interested.

The Marathon Des Sables
In aid of Facing Africa / NOMA
The Toughest Footrace on Earth
http://www.saharamarathon.co.uk/images/MdS2005-8.jpg
http://www.saharamarathon.co.uk/imag...ertScene-4.jpg
Welcome to the world of lunatics and masochists - don't take offence, I have great admiration for all those who even think about doing this event.
Why this IS the toughest footrace on Earth

It covers 243km/151 miles (in sections similar to 25, 34, 38, 82, 42, 22 km) run over 6 days (7 for some) - equivalent to 5 1/2 regular marathons. That's a speed of between 3 and 14 km an hour for competitors aged between 16 and 78). In addition to that, competitors have to carry everything they will need for the duration (apart from a tent) on their backs in a rucksack (food, clothes, medical kit, sleeping bag etc). Water is rationed and handed out at each checkpoint.

You will have to prepare all your own food throughout the race and I warn you that there is not a chain of Tesco stores or corner grocery shops dotted around the Sahara. You will experience mid-day temperatures of up to 120°F, of running or walking on uneven rocky, stony ground as well as 15 - 20% of the distance being in sand dunes.

The heat, distance and rubbing will trash your feet and may cause severe trauma if incorrect shoes and equipment are used. Mental stamina probably constitutes at least 50% of whether you will complete the distance or not. Physical fitness is important but don't underestimate the mental stress that you will need to endure. Even if you have run dozens of 26 mile marathons, this does not mean that you will automatically find the MdS easy - either way you will be planning to do lots of training prior to the MdS.

On the 4th day, you will set off across the barren wilderness to complete a 45 - 50 mile stage. Few people complete this before dark that evening and some will not come in till after dark the next night. This is followed by the 42km Marathon stage!! Its tough, so don't say that nobody warned you in the strongest terms.
http://www.saharamarathon.co.uk/imag...aceStart-1.jpg
http://www.saharamarathon.co.uk/imag...-Runners-4.jpg
http://www.saharamarathon.co.uk/marathons.html

http://www.saharamarathon.co.uk/imag...icalTent-2.jpg
17. Medical Assistance

A specially-chosen medical team, specialising in sports and tropical medicine will be in attendance throughout the race and will use assistance vehicles throughout the course. A medical team will be at each control and at the finishing line each day and will ensure that any participants who are suffering from physical exhaustion are brought back to the base camp. The medical team is allowed to remove ID plates and to eliminate from the race any participant whom they feel physically unfit to continue the race and/or having received vital medical care.