Runner's World

coastline with the mighty breakers

of the Pacific a constant presence all

the way to the finish in Barlovento.

Runners came from more than 30

countries. The largest contingent

came from France followed by the

UK and then Japan. At the front

of the field elite sand specialists

led the way with five-time MdS

Morocco champion Rachid El

Morabity dominating the men’s race

from start to finish and multiple IAU

world champ Nathalie Mauclair

winning all six stages of the women’s

race. The home nation was well

represented too with Peruvians

Aydee Soto Quispe and Renee

Romero placing fourth and fifth

in the women’s field.

Runners of all levels shared the

same experience of self-reliance and

full immersion in nature. Deprived of

any creature comforts they ran the

full distance carrying everything

they needed to survive – food

clothes sleeping bag sleeping mat

and any luxuries they deemed worth

the weight. The only thing provided

by the race was rationed water and

a tent to sleep in. The course was

spectacular with huge empty

landscapes but battling the

harshness of the elements and an

arduous mix of soft sand and steep

gradients pushed many runners to

their limits. All of which made this

new adventure feel very much part

of the MdS ethos a fitting addition

to the legacy of the pioneering

Patrick Bauer and an instant

addition to the bucket lists of

running adventurers everywhere.

The next Marathon des Sables Peru is

scheduled to take place in November

2018 (date tbc). For more information

and news and to register to take part

visit marathondessables.com

The view

from the

trail

‘The most beautiful
thing is the bivouac:
listening to diferent
languages; spending
moments with
people who share
your passion sufer
like you and under-
stand you. This
communion with
other people
rejoiced me.’
ROCIO CARRIÓN (Peru)

‘I liked the idea of
being a pioneer of
entering history.’
NAHO FUKUNAGA (Japan)

‘It’s more of an
adventure and an
inner exploration
than a race.’
GEDIMINAS GRINIUS
(Lithuania)

‘You return home
with great stories of
friendship but what
I learned about
myself this force
deep inside is the
most amazing thing!’
BEATRIZ CAMIADE
(Mexico)

MDS PERU

JUNE 2018 RUNNERSWORLD.CO.UK 061

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