Nicola Cleary just got back from Morocco so we asked her to tell us about her experience doing the The Trans Sahara Marathon :
The Trans Sahara Marathon is much more than just a race! It is an unforgettable experience in a magical place with phenomenal people and we were lucky to have the company of an extraordinary ultra-running dog. The race is organised by Moroccan runner, Mohamad Ahansal, 5-time Marathon Des Sables (MDS) winner! He has created something very authentic and special with this race. It seems The Trans Sahara Marathon is the training ground for many for the next MDS which is happening in April. The 2024 2 nd place male, Mohamad El Morabity and 3 rd place woman, Gemma Game were among the runners in
our race.
After a 10-hour journey from Marrakesh to the M’Hamid El Ghizlane camp, we started our desert experience. The camps were great, tents of 4, food was excellent, facilities more than adequate considering we were in the desert! We had an acclimatisation day the first day we were there. Time to get a short run in to see what the next four days had in store! And that’s when it hit me that I had really done little or no desert specific training for what was ahead.
But this, I told myself, was going to be fun – just enjoy it no matter what!!
Stage 1 – breakfast at 7.30am and then pack up as the camp was moving to the next Camp of Erg Bougarn. We just need to run and our bags are moved by the team in jeeps from camp to camp. Luxury really!! So, stage 1 was definitely an eye opener! I found my breathing wasn’t great and running for any distance was tough going. The sand, hot air and dust just got to me. But I just did what I could. At the brief, Mohamad talked of “bumps” in the second part of the race. These were sand dunes, just lots of sand dunes, constant ups and downs.
You could run some, and not others. A very tough end to the day. Distance wise we only did 29km on the first day but felt MUCH longer. I was very happy to get back to the camp on that first day.
Our bags were there wating for us and the guys had our tents up and were working on getting the toilets and showers up. We did lunch ourselves – there was hot water to make porridge or pasta or whatever you brought yourself. Biscuits and tea on hand also! So, the rest of the day was a chill out day – shower was a bucket of water – the most welcome bucket of water EVER! When I went to get my bag, I saw the dog cosied up in the shade among the bags. He has run the race with Gemma, the first woman home and this was the beginning of a beautiful friendship! We fed him and made sure he had plenty of water. He slept outside our tent each night just waiting to run again the next day!!
Stage 2 – On the move again today to the next camp, so it was another morning of packing up and getting going – 9am start this morning and the dog was on the start line again, tail wagging and ready to go. This stage started with dunes, a bit bigger than the bumps of yesterday but at least we were on freshish legs! My toes were in bits at this stage. The gaiters were working a treat, but the actual runners just weren’t working for my feet. Blisters and nail squash going on – the downs on the dunes were painful but fun! If that makes any sense! It was a lovely stage really, dunes and some runnable bits! Getting back to the camp knowing we had 2 nights at this one was great. I got to see the nurse, who burst the blisters and dressed my toes and made all the difference to a very difficult day the next day!!
Another bucket of water, another pot of porridge oats, a fabulous sunset from the top of a dune, a wonderful dinner with recap of the day from other participants and to bed for another day tomorrow! Stage 2 was 31km.
Stage 3 – Stage 3 was my head wreck day. The day that just wasn’t my day from the get-go!
Today was the 90% sand day and I was like, sure everyday is a 90% sand day but I was wrong. Today, the sand was never ending, the dunes were huge – the aptly named “Big Dune” was at 10.5km! It was massive! The wind was sweeping the sand across the dunes, and I had to keep my mouth covered, my eyes were covered by sunglasses. But the views were out of this world so that kept me going. I really wanted to give it up at the last check point which was at 22km and figured it was only 10km to go so just keep at it. But jeez, 10km in the desert can feel like 100!! I kept going and Pascal was in front of me in an orange t- shirt, so I just kept him as my focus and tried not to let him get too far ahead. We had more bumps to get over before hitting a sandy road. I’d lose the orange T-shirt and then it would pop up again. We hit the road, and he started to run with a lovely ease. I just wanted to be Pascal at that point – to find it easy to run but that wasn’t happening. So run / walk it was.
Towards the end, we were running over rocks to get back to the camp and then onto MORE DUNES! I really was cursing everything at this stage. I rounded a corner, knew I was nearly there and saw Pascal standing there. He was waiting for me to run in together. I genuinely nearly cried! Such a lovely gesture and so kind! Fatima was there to give me a well needed hug too! The comradery was really commendable! Music would sound every time someone arrived back. And the whole camp would welcome the last person home every evening.
That night, I was very excited for Stage 4. At this point, knowing we were running towards a hotel, shower and flushing toilets will get you moving!!
Stage 4 – An earlier start as today was a 50km day. Today was going to be my day or so I kept telling myself. It was less sand, more rocks, through gorges, and over mountains. More my thing. I totally enjoyed Stage 4. My body just worked better, my breathing not as laboured out of the desert and so much to look at – lizards, camels, sheep, watermelon fields, flowers!
We started just before sun rise and running into the rising sun on rocks, while not ideal (I did fall once or twice!) was lovely. Today, just knowing that you were running to the end had a really exciting feel to it. The 50km went past quicker than any of the other races. I think my heart will always be in the mountains! The finish-line was in a really quiet area, and I thought everyone would be gone back to the hotel but there was a lovely crowd there cheering me in. Lots of kids had just finished school and were there cheering us on too. It was a tad emotional! Mohamad was there to give medals and a cool t-shirt. It was soooo nice to be done and knowing a bed and shower were waiting. The dog was there too. He had run the whole race and more! He rolled in the sand, chased camels and donkeys and probably ran one and half times what we did. I waited with Gemma for Fatima to come home as we had been tent mates from day one and it was nice to finish together. There were tears shed and many hugs hugged. We had to say goodbye to the dog but have been assured that he is accustomed to hiking/running with people and will be well looked after.
The Trans Sahara Marathon, an unforgettable race through a tough landscape. A rewarding journey with new friends made and memories to hold onto. I definitely learned lots and am very grateful to have experienced it! Wishing all those doing the MDS all the best in April!!
Mohamad, Mustapha and their team were just phenomenal, so friendly and professional. Nothing was a hassle. The race, to include 8 days accommodation, breakfast and dinner on most days, transfers etc was such good value. I couldn’t recommend this more!!
A few things to note.
👉 A good sleeping bag – thanks to Cindy @adventure.ie for helping me out with this.
👉 Gaiters are a must – emptying sand out of your shoes every couple of kilometres will really slow you down.
👉 Sunglasses are really important, the glare off the sun is blinding but they also help with the sand blowing in your face.
👉 The stages are really well marked but having it on your watch helps a lot if you are like me!
👉 Good gear – shorts etc, again really helps. It’s heat like we are not used to so gear that keeps you somewhat cool and comfortable is great – thanks to Ross Thompson for helping me out with some super cool Dynafit gear
👉 Nutrition – this is always one to keep an eye on and trying to keep hydrated is a must in the hot climate. Big thanks to Mark @thesportsroom who really helped me with this.
👉 We were dreaming of a coke or fanta etc. so bring some with you if you think you will miss it!! We came across a can of coke on one of the days and shared it like a little tea party – the excitement was unreal!!
👉 Big thanks to @johnoreagan for all the advice pre race and of course @lonanruncoach for getting me run ready for the stages!