As part of the 20th edition of MDS, ATLANTIDE
ORGANISATION Internationale association is happy to have
organised and participated in carrying out a sizeable humanitarian
project.
Having found a well-shaft and made sure that there was drinkable
and sufficient water to withstand a solar pump, we decided
to install the 7th MDS photovoltaic station in TARICHT*.
During discussions with local people, it quickly became clear
that the village was in need of other things. Towards the
neighbouring village of AMOUGUER, we saw the old school in
a pitiful state and realised it would need complete renovation
before it could welcome children from the 2 communes.
No sooner did we start thinking about what work was needed,
than the idea of adding on toilets started to take shape;
then we would just have to link the school to the well-shaft
via canalisation. And then why not install showers with hot
water? A solar water heater would suffice… and a small
water tower for the pressure… and then sinks and of
course a septic tank. In the end three buildings were entirely
renovated and requiring 3,200 m of canalisation. 90 children
now go to school and have access to toilets along with washbasins
and showers with changing rooms. On the day the school was
inaugurated, it also began adult literacy classes. The project
cost 52,000 euros in total and would never have seen the
light of day without considerable financial support. We would
therefore like to thank the foundation VEOLIA Environnement
who financed 50% of the operation, as well as BLEU SABLE
association, Mr. Michel BACH, AOI, and CIMBALY for having
generously contributed to providing the remaining necessary
financing.
When you care about the future of the planet and its inhabitants
there’s no shortage of opportunities to act. In terms
of ecology, AOI is involved in installing solar powered pumps.
Since the 10th MDS, seven photovoltaic pumps have been added
to well shafts including one on a farm for physically disabled
people. As for the various humanitarian actions undertaken
by competitors, whether fighting against diseases, helping
children, campaigning for better reintegration or any of
a whole range of other projects, there are a huge number.
AOI has other projects in mind for 2006.
This is also part of the MARATHON DES SABLES spirit! * photos and more information on www.darbaroud.com (FR version)
A bientôt. AOI.
Next edition 07 - 17 april 2006
FREESTYLE
This is part of the very concept of the race… underlining that
you don’t have to be a runner in order to take part. The times
allow walkers to finish the stages without difficulty. By pacing
themselves, the walkers often suffer less than the runners who may
end up having to walk and find this frustration difficult to cope
with. You should therefore include long sessions of walking/running
in your training programme.
WATER AND ENVIRONMENT (Art.27
and 28).
The regulations are clear, it is absolutely forbidden to throw
away bottles, bottle tops and food wrappers on the race route.
Rubbish bins are available at all check-points and on the bivouac.
Failure to respect this rule will be penalised and may lead to
disqualification from the race.
TEAM ENROLEMENT
When you have enrolled as member of a ream, do not forget to mention the name
of the team, the number of team-members and the first name and surname of each
member. It makes it easier to attribute race numbers. The information on the
press form also helps us to relate your motivations better.
NEW BALANCE - PARTNER
OF THE 21st MDS
For the 21st MDS, the sport equipment company NEW BALANCE will
be backing the race for the second year running. The
red NEW BALANCE banners will once again float at MDS check-points.
If, as the company slogan says, "Running is a sensation",
then the sensation of reaching these banners at water-distribution
points should quickly catch on with MDS runners.
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° 77 realized par CIMBALY International
Pépé et Marie - Webmaster : Cimbaly
1986/2006: AOI CELEBRATES ITS 20th BIRTHDAY !
In 1986, the launch of the 1st MDS gave rise to ATLANTIDE
ORGANISATION Internationale. The 2006 edition will
therefore be the 20th anniversary of the race but
also that of the team of volunteers.
It’s above all a wonderful pretext to continue
the party atmosphere of 2005. Once more you’ll
have to wait to see what surprises are in store on
the bivouac.
WOMEN
With 112 women enrolled in 2005, women once more boosted
their presence on the race. They form part of many
teams but also often make up 100% female teams such
as "Elles du Désert" or the "Marseillaises à la
Plage".
The women’s challenge is a competition in its
own right and a tough exploit. As the first woman to
win the MDS three times, Simone KAYSER
(LUX) just carried off a genuine feat this year.
A NEW
PROJECT
Following the work achieved in TARICHT in 2005, AOI
is envisaging another project for April 2006. The
reconnaissance team will shortly visit several sites.
It will involve digging wells, installing solar pumping
stations, water towers etc. Find out more in the
next edition of the Sahara News. Anyone interested
in getting involved should contact aoi@darbaroud.com
MUCH
BETTER PREPARED
Out of the 777 competitors that set off on the 20th
MDS, 46 didn’t make it through to the finish
line. This is a small number, because despite the
difficulties on the race it corresponds to hardly
6% of the starters. It’s clear that participants
are increasingly better prepared and that they know
how to pace themselves better too.
UPS AND DOWNS...
In deciding to include more climbs in the 20th edition,
the organisers gave competitors stunning panoramas.
The pleasure procured in crossing such spectacular
landscape was so obvious that we’ll most probably
renew the operation.
NO PROBLEM!
A few precautions and you can avoid a lot of suffering.
Take running shoes that are 1.5 or 2 sizes bigger
than your usual size, see a chiropodist, prepare
your feet, wear gaiters, take the time to stop and
empty sand from your shoes, apply second skin at
the first sign of abrasion and protect areas from
chafing from your back-pack. These are the basic
rules to respect.
RATHER TECHNICAL
Dunes are in fact just a series of small mounds but
where the aspect of the terrain is in continual movement.
Just as there is a technique for climbing or descending
mountain slopes, you have to find one to get over
the dunes. Although sand is more solid than snow,
you can still sink up to your calves and above all
you don’t know for sure when you’ll sink.
This means you have to keep changing your rhythm.
So you have to be able to continually adapt your stride
and read the terrain.
PUTTING IT INTO PERSPECTIVE
Crossing the desert on foot is an extraordinary challenge,
worthy of good preparation. Whether you decide to
do it running or walking, you have to forge an iron
will. Every last detail is important and the more
you’ve tested your equipment the fewer problems
you’ll have.
When you begin such a race, you must have the feeling
you’ve thought of absolutely everything in order
to achieve your objective. You then have to remember
you’re there to enjoy yourself and that you’re
lucky to be experiencing a week of such heightened
emotion.
TEAM RACING BLVI : Their initials make for a nice
team title (bé-elle-vie (beautiful life)). Marc BESNAULT
(F), Bernard LOCICIRO
(F) and J. Marie VITU (F) are quite right in saying “life
is sweet” but that still have time to think of others and join
forces to do
something humanitarian. LES FENNECS DES PINS : Françoise PETER (F),
Michel CABANES (F) and
Olivier BONNASSIOLLE (F) have already run MDS together.
They’re
joined this year by Hélène LABEYRIE (F)
to continue to raise money
for "Les enfants de la Lune" (Children of
the moon) and "Vaincre la
mucoviscidose" (Beat cystic fibrosis). M. CABANES
is also getting the
children of the village of YZOSSE (Les Landes) involved
in this
adventure. X TREM TEAM : This 5 person team is made up Morgane
CALVEZ (F),
Christophe BERTRAND (F), J. Marc ENGUIALE (F), Philippe
QUIQUEREZ (F)
and Stéphane LESOIN (F). WACKER TEAM : An international team with Cyril CISINSKY
(F), Gianluca
CARBONE (I) and Mike LINK (GER). They’re flying
the colours of the
German research firm WACKER.
