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 On 26.February09 the SaharaMarathon/Walk will be supported by the United Nations Refugee Helporganization.
We want to encourage as many runners as possible to participate in this event.
This Marathon is a mixture of controlled adventure, once in a lifetime experience and humanitarian project.
About 170.000 Refugees from former Spanish Sahara live in a remote and bare area in southwest Algeria. They have been exiled from their hometerritory 31 years ago, Algeria gave them shelter and a provisional place to settle. It is our concern to show anticipation to their fatigue.
The Race offers distances of 5km, 10km, Halfmarathon and Marathon in the Sahara, participants can run or walk(maximum halfmarathon) .
I have participated in the Marathon in 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2008. It is  a very special challenge and you have to be well prepared, mentally and physically.
We live together with the refugees in their tents or huts, 4-5 runners each. We sleep on thick foammats, blankets will be provided, however a sleepingbag is highly recommended. It can be very cold at night, 5-7 degrees C.
We eat with the families, however our friends from Italy will provide Mineral Water in sealed bottles. With this system participants are quite safe, though there can be some stomach problems and you should have Lopedium or similar tablets with you.
 There are some washing facilities at the tents of our hostfamilies, however we will learn to save water in this environment.
Toiletts are Arabian style, clean if properly used.
The racecourse is a oneway course north to south from El Ayoun via Auserd to Smara.
The profile of the course is rather flat, the soil quite firm with small stones, some flat dunes with soft sand between km 25 - 30.
The temperature that time of the year will be approx. 10 – 15°C at start, approx. 35°C at finish. Humidity is very low, therefore the temperature is not really a problem. However you have to be well protected against the intensity of the sun.
There are enough waterstations, you should have a second waterbottle with you in case of exceptionel situations. Additionally you should have something to eat with you, since there will not be much food to be provided.
 The Saharawis have an own administration on algerian territory. You will need an algerian visa, which will be organised by us. The cost for the visa in 2008 was EUR 60 per visa.
To organize such an event is not simple and has to be channeled through the official organizations in Spain, Italy and Germany. Additional Information you will find under www.saharamarathon.org.
Every participant has to pay a certain amount to the Saharawi people for accomodation, food, transports, raceorganisation, additionally a contribution to the humanitarian projects supported by the Marathon. These fees will be included in the package price.
In 2009 there will be approximately 450 participants, mainly from Spain, Italy, Germany and 20 other countries. From Germany we offer one package including flight from/to Frankfurt.
TOUR MARATHON: Friday, 20Feb–Saturday, 28Feb09 EUR 1.199
Departure Frankfurt approx. 02:40 pm, return Frankfurt 13:05 pm
If you are interested in participating or offering the SaharaMarathon in 2009 or the years to come, please use the registrationform 2009 to contact us.
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