people fulfil dreams develop their
potential and open a doorway to a
new world over six days and almost
250km of running. The race followed
the protocols of MdS Morocco
covering the same total distance
split into six one-day stages and
demanding full self-sufficiency from
runners with only shelter and
rationed water provided.
Nonetheless the Ica provided a
very different experience to the
Sahara. The early days were raw
particularly Day 1 which covered
37.2km from Cahuachi to Coyungu- it was a day of local villages
farms riverbeds and surprisingly
lush vegetation. Day 2 brought
rolling dunes expansive landscapes
and widescreen vistas of sandy
plateaus hemmed in by jagged
mountains. And by Day 4 the race
had really stepped out of its siblingâs
shadow as the Pacific Ocean came
into view bringing a new outlook to
racing in the desert. The following
day took runners on a rollercoaster
ride that weaved along the rocky
In stages
DAY 1: 37.2 km
From Cahuachi at
just over 350m to
Coyungo at just
above sea level.DAY 2: 40.2km
From Coyungo to
Samaca with a more
challenging gradient
proile than Day 1; a
long climb early on
a rollercoaster of
small inclines and
descents plus the
canyon of Rio Ica.DAY 3: 32.7km
To O cu c aje o n a
mixed day of lunar
landscapes stony
terrain and dunes
with 550m of ascent
in the irst 13km.DAY 4: 68.3km
A long day. The irst
40km undulates
then itâs down to sea
level before rising
again. Itâs tough but
Paciic views help.DAY 5: 42.2km
Running along
the coastline on
possibly the most
spectacular of all
the stages taking in
beaches clifs
archaeological
zones and a most
welcome breeze en
route to Mendieta.DAY 6 :19.6km
The big push to
the inish in La
Catedral is another
coastal day but
with less elevation.MDS PERU
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