Location
Click [here] to hear the updates that
Meagan provided to Science North from the Marathon des Sables!
The Marathon Des Sables ("Marathon Of the Sands") is a
challenging running/trekking event, that takes place annually in the Moroccan portion of the
Sahara Desert. Meagan covered 245.3km (in 6 sections:
31.6km, 38km, 40.5km, 75.5km, 42.2km, 17.5km) during 7 days - equivalent
to 5 1/2 regular marathons, through the Sahara desert.
The event is held in Morocco, a beautiful country in Africa. Meagan had
visited Morocco previously, and as always, the beautiful scenery and
warm-hearted people stood out. A vivid image that Meagan remembers is the contrast
of the sand and dirt against the unexpected
greenery of an oasis - "it truly takes your breath away".
 Meagan
carried everything she required for the 7 day event on her back (except
for her tent). For accomodation, Meagan rested in a Berber tent that
was established by race organizers. The bivouac was a tent city that
had medical and accomodation tents. The tents were far from fancy: a couple of
wooden poles and black cloth made up the shelter that protected Meagan from
the severe heat and the stinging sand winds of the Sahara. Any protection from
temperatures that can rise up to 120°F (48°C) was welcome.
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