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Sahara News
n°81

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EDITO
When you’re lucky enough to see the kind of beautiful landscapes of MDS or the DESERT CUP you can’t remain indifferent to environmental issues. Nature needs protecting and there’s no time to waste. Drought is a leading to problems all around the world and particularly in the Sahel. Deforestation is one of the major causes of advancing sand dunes meaning vast areas are now no longer suitable for farming. Once you’re aware of this reality - which demands a certain state of mind for sure - you then have to change your behaviour so every act takes on significance.

The race regulations for these two races clearly states that participants must not leave rubbish lying around and we employ every means to make sure this is respected. We cannot accept that bottles or energy product packaging are found on the race route and therefore provide big rubbish bags at all check-points and in each tent on the bivouac. A team goes round base-camp with quad and trailer picking up the bins and taking them to the incinerator lorry that reduces it all to ash.

In terms of ecology, AOI has decided to use only recycled paper for the Sahara news, information brochures and all our stationery. AOI is reinforcing its position and bid to raise awareness over respect for the environment.

For both the MDS and DESERT CUP, you can consult the information files and Sahara News on darbaroud.com
In addition, while we’ll be developing aid projects for the 22nd edition of MARATHON DES SABLES, it’s perfectly possible to act at a more modest level. For example during the DESERT CUP pens made out of maize will be handed out to village schools and other small projects are envisaged for the villages on the race route.

We hope you all have a good summer and will be in touch soon.
AOI

Next edition
from 03rd to
09th decembre 2006

OBJECTIVE
In order to establish calorie needs, competitors choose from a table of four different objectives (see race regulations). You’re advised to estimate your performance carefully because failure to meet your deadline will incur a one-hour penalty. Energy drinks are not taken into account in the calorie counting. Maximum authorised time for objective 4 has been brought down to 56H.
Very important: the table of objectives is part of the registration file.

SURVIVAL KIT
No one goes into the desert without water and food reserves. The regulations therefore demand that competitors bring an extra 1 litre of water divided into 2 x 50cl flasks, in addition to their water flask or bottle for the race. These flasks must be solid and water-tight (mineral water bottles are not allowed as they can be punctured too easily). Competitors must also provide 2000 K/cal wrapped separately. The 2 flasks and 2000 K/cal will be sealed by the organisation.

YOUNG AND SUPPORTVIE

As part of the activities of the association EAUSOLEIL, a team of high school students from the Lycée professionnel of Ambérieux en Bugey helped install a solar pump in El Maharch in Morocco. Students had to finance part of their trip to prove their commitment and worked hard to get everything ready for when MDS went through the village. They therefore put their professional savoir-faire to good use and benefited from an enriching human experience they’ll keep for years to come.

Next edition
from 23th march to 02nd april 2006

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° 81 réalisé par CIMBALY International
Pépé et Marie - Webmaster : Cimbaly

DESERT CUP

SHORTER THAN PLANNED
AOI prefers quality to quantity. The route has been reduced to 137 km, but every kilometre is there for a reason. Runners will go from check-point to check-point, following the tracks regularly taken by local people. The difficulty of the race lies in accumulating these journeys; they’re so taxing it would seem crazy to do them in one go. But that’s what makes it such a sporting challenge…

OPEN TO WALKERS
The concept of a freestyle race allows walkers to participate in the DESERT CUP. Closing times for check-points means you can arrive before cut-off times and stop for around 5 hours each night. In that case, the average speed will be 2.95 km/h minimum.

CUT OFF TIMES
The 137 km must be completed in 56H. Race begins at 7H30 a.m.. The road book distributed to competitors gives precise times for going through each check-point. Competitors can rest at CP6 (Km 60.5) and CP11 (Km 116) but must reach them before 2H a.m. (1st and 2nd night) and leave before 6H30 and 7H respectively.

CHECKPOINTS
CPs are positioned as follows:
CP1 : Km 11.5 - CP2 : Km 17.3 - CP3 : Km 29 - CP4 : Km 37 - CP5 : Km 49 - CP6 : Km 60.5 - CP7 : Km 70.6 - CP8 : Km 79,7 - CP9 : Km 92.5 - CP 10 : Km 104 - CP11 : Km 116 - CP12 : Km 128 - Finish : Km 137

WATER
Water is distributed at 12 check-points. There is less than 13km between each CP. The shortest distance is 5.8km and the longest is 12.8km. Depending on the CP, 1.5l or 3 litres of water will be distributed so you have to pace your water intake carefully by paying close attention to the road book.

TEAM RACING
All competitors enrolled in a team will also be ranked individually. Whether you’re running for a sponsor, humanitarian cause or simply with friends, racing in a team is an enriching experience, full of suspense until the last team-member gets in.

CROCODILES?
The race goes through the village of AMANI that has a pond with around 300 crocodiles. They’re sacred animals and live in harmony with the local population who feed them. You can watch them safely but are strongly advised not to try and touch them.

What’s more they’re seen as totem animals for this village and such contact would be offensive.

INVISIBLE VILLAGES
The villages in Dogon country are some of the most spectacular in the world due to their special formation and architecture. Even when you know where they are, they blend into the landscape so well it can be difficult to tell them apart. They all have their characteristic grain stores although they can be square or circular, with flat or pointed roofs.

MARATHON DES SABLES

LIMITED NUMBER OF ENROLMENTS
MDS attracts runners from the world over. With 70% enrolling outside France, the race is now renowned worldwide. France counts for 30% of enrolments, including Scandinavia, Benelux and Eastern European countries. That leaves around 200 places for the French…

MDS REGISTRATION
To enrol, your file must include the following :
• 750 Euro deposit
• Reservation form duly completed, dated and signed
• Additional information form, dated and signed
• the personal objective form
• photocopy of entrant's valid passport indicating date of issue
• 3 passport size photos with entrant's name on the back
• a security deposit cheque of 185 Euros that will only be cashed in the event of penalties.
INCOMPLETE FILES WILL BE REFUSED AND RETURNED
So don’t forget anything and renew your passport if necessary.

RACE REGULATIONS
This is not simply a document. It replies to all the questions in order to participate correctly in MDS. Where are the checkpoints? What equipment is essential? Where do I put my race number? What are the penalties and why? How to enrol? What is the correct medical certificate and when must it be done? Same for the ECG. How many K/cal do I need per day etc.? The regulations are compulsory reading!

THE FILM
The DVD of the 21st MARATHON DES SABLES will enable you to re-live the heightened emotion of this week full of adventure in the comfort of your own home and with family and friends. All participants on 2006 edition will receive a copy during August. Those wanting to know more about the race or present it to sponsors will also be able to buy a copy on darbaroud-boutik.com from September.

ANNUAL LEAVE
AOI and CIMBALY offices will be closed from 07 to 25 August 2006.
All registration files sent to AOI during that period will be dealt with in order, in line with their postal dates.