Why bother exhausting
yourself over miles and miles in faraway countries? All long
distance runners have been put on the spot over this at some
time or another by friends and family. Everyone has their
own reply and all are valid, but aren't they all at some level
just pretexts? Isn't the aim to go and meet others and through
that get some deeper understanding of yourself. We can quite
rightly ask ourselves the question.
With sporting events like the MARATHON DES SABLES or la DESERT
CUP, discovering another culture allows many participants
to challenge their preconceived ideas. Friendships are forged,
associations created, support networks realised. Little by
little men and women become closer.
From this first Malian edition of the DESERT CUP, several
villages crossed by the course will be benefiting from donations
from competitors or the organisation. Whether big or small
is of no importance. The main thing is to do something to
help other people. With the life and works of Mother Theresa
making front page news, we hardly need to be reminded that
every fraternal gesture counts, however small it may be. To
exchange something, even just a smile, is already a way of
combating indifference. If we add on a kind word or a small
gift, we're close to some kind of victory. And that can happen
at any time in any country around the world.
See you soon
AOI.
TIMING DESERT CUP
30th november to 07th december 2003
DO
NOT FORGET
The international vaccination card is compulsory for entry
into Mali. You must therefore bring it along with your passport.
CERTIFICATE MEDICAL & ELECTROCARDIOGRAM
They must both be done and dated the month of November. Essential : the medical certificate to be
completed is the one in the registration file sent by AOI.
You must remember to bring it along with youon 1st December,
failing which you will not be able to compete.
ADVENTURE
WITHOUT MISADVENTURE DESERT CUP 2003
2 x 50cl FLASKS
They must be solid (unbreakable) and hermetic (leak-proof).
They form part of the compulsory equipment to be presented at
check-points and systematically checked at the finish line.
The opening or loss of water (due to breakage or leakage) will
lead to a penalty. See ART. 26 and 27
WATER
There are 14 checkpoints spread out over the course where competitors
pick up 1.5 litres of water. At 5 of these checkpoints you can
choose between 1.5 or 3 litres of water. It is up to competitors
to evaluate their needs in relation to the heat, time of checking
in, distance to be completed and the
need to take in food. The check-points concerned are 2, 4, 7,
10 and 12.
It's better to have a bit of extra water to pour over your body
than to be in short supply...
MOSQUITO NETS
You need a small individual mosquito net to sleep under; available
in chemists. It's light and takes up little space. No need for
a large mosquito net with floor mat and picks which is heavy
and cumbersome.
CLIMATE
December is in the dry season. Average minimum and maximum temperatures
go between 16° and 32°. Very occasionally it can be
cool at night (10°). The temperature range can therefore
be wide; you'll feel this even more when tired.
ENVIRONMENT
Respect for nature is a priority. It's good to remember that
all throwing of bottles or wrappers on the race route is strictly
forbidden and will be penalised (See Art. 26 and 27). Rubbish
bins are available at every check-point.
SECURITY
ID numbers are too often badly positioned, folded or covered
by a strap making it difficult for controllers and race stewards
to identify runners. This is a problem for rankings but also
for runners' safety. If just one number is hidden n° 141
becomes 41. If n°41 gets lost, the runner will still have
been registered as having gone through a CP (as n°141) and
that's a problem! So for those that don't pay enough attention
to race numbers, beware of penalties (See Art. 26 and 27).
Information on www.darbaroud.com
From now on, surfers can find the race itinerary, road book
and list of competitors all on the site. From 02 to 06 December,
photos and videos will enable you to follow the course. Considering
the nature of a non-stop race, there will be no telephone, fax
and email service for competitors.
No point therefore insending EMAILS which cannot reach their
destination. "Provisional" rankings available from
06 December onwards.
After the course, photos and press articles will be put on the
site as and when they appear.
TIMING MARATHON DES SABLES
Next edition 09 - 19 april 2003
Enrolments will open until february 2004.
ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale
BP 98 - 10003 TROYES Cedex - FRANCE
Tél. : (33) 03 25 76 57 77 / Fax : (33) 03 25 76 87
75
E-Mail : aoi@darbaroud.com
- WEB : http://www.darbaroud.com
Sahara News n° 68 realized par CIMBALY International
Pépé et Marie - Webmaster : Cimbaly
NO PHOTOGRAPHER
There will be no special "competitors' photographer"
on the DESERT CUP. Don't forget to take a camera if
you want to bring home souvenirs of your exploits.
NATIONALITIES
160 competitors will be setting off on this first edition
in Mali with 19 countries represented:
Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary,
Italy, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Mali, Monaco, Morocco, Netherlands,
Poland, Slovenia, Spain,Sweden, Switzerland and USA.
WHO WILL WIN THE WOMEN'S RACE ?
Katell CORNE (F) came ahead of Sophie BARENNE (F) and
Anke MOLKHENTIN (GER), (1st, 3rd and 4th respectively)
on the DESERT CUP 2002, but don't let's forget that
Marielle COUDERC (F) was ahead for much of the race.
The latter also showed her strength on the last MDS,
winning third place. But then there's also Simone KAYSER
(Lux) and Maria Isabella TRUJILLO (COL) (1st and 2nd
respectively on MDS 2002). Quite a line up!
AND ON THE MEN'S SIDE ?
Winner of the last three editions, Marco OLMO (I) is
certainly favourite. But Albert VALLEE (F) (third last
year) and twice medal-winner Christian GINTER (F) will
be serious challengers, not least because the longer
the race, the more they like it. Then there's Benoit
LAVAL (F) who's a first class trail runner, and Maurice
MONDON (F), Benoît MINOT (F) and Gérard
BAVATO (F) - all long-distance specialists.
TEAMS Jogging International : Beware of this
fearsome team. Anke MOLKENTHIN (D) and Christian GINTER
(F) won the race in 1999 and Marco OLMO (I) has won
the last three editions in Jordan. All three of them
know how to pace themselves perfectly. Raid-Up / Gremco : Monique GOUGEUL
(F) has only one passion: running. The DC should quench
that thirst. With Patrick HAMEAU (F), who has already
run the race in under 36H, and Yannick LAMARQUE (F)
who's visiting Africa for the first time, they make
a smooth line up. Vienne Biathlon : Together on the 17th
MDS, where they performed well, Marie PAINAULT-LACOUR
(F), Claudy PARADOT (F) and Yannick JALLAIS (F) are
back for the DC hoping to repeat their good performance. Lotus Bleu : Another fine team! Marielle
COUDERC (F) will be joining up with Philippe NEUSCHWANDER
(F) and Philippe GIFFARD (F) who won under this name
in 1999 with a different female team-mate.
THRILLED !
In winning the 2003 edition of the SPARTATHLON, Markus
THALMANN (AUSTRIA) got what many dream about: free registration
on the 19th MARATHON DES SABLES. What's more he could
well be amongst the winners.
TEAMS
Stade Longuenessois Aventure : Being a small commune
in the Pas de Calais is no barrier to having a dynamic
sporting club. There's no doubt that A. VANDAELE (F),
T. BERTELOOT (F), F. CABARET (F) and J. GRAVE (F) are
wearing their local colours with pride. Les Pieds Tendres : Claire and D. DEPARDON
(F) are making the most of this "trip" to
Morocco to have an unusual honeymoon. No doubt Olivier
HARO (F) has decided to accompany them in his capacity
as best man. Team Zandona : Antoine, Marc and René
ZANDONA (F) are the first to form a band of brothers
and are mighty pleased to be taking up the challenge
together. For elder brother Antoine, it's a great opportunity
to celebrate his 50th birthday in a country he likes
a lot.
