The Sahara Race
A Journey Through Ancient Sands
The Sahara Race is a 250km (155-mile) ultramarathon located in Egypt. Situated approximately 130km southwest of Cairo, the race is part of the 4 Deserts Series. Similar to the Marathon des Sables, the Atacama Crossing, and the Gobi March, it is a self-supported event requiring participants to carry all equipment and supplies through a desert environment.
The event lasts ten days. After arriving in Cairo, competitors attend briefings and equipment checks before transferring to the first camp. The race consists of six stages over seven days: four marathons, followed by an 86km stage, a rest day, and a final 2km stage. The organization provides water and a shared tent; participants carry their clothing, sleeping gear, safety equipment, and a minimum of 14,000 calories of food.
The route passes through the Lakes of Faiyum in the Wadi El Rayan protectorate. A notable section is the Valley of the Whales (Wadi Al-Hitan), a UNESCO World Heritage site where prehistoric fossils are visible. The journey concludes at the Pyramids of Giza.
Terrain and climate are significant factors. Competitors navigate various types of sand, from steep dunes to hard-packed plains. Temperature variance is high; daytime temperatures can reach 50°C, then drop toward freezing at night. Preparing a pack under 10kg with sufficient nutrition is a key requirement. Completing the Sahara Race is a demanding physical effort.
Race Quick-Look:
- Total Distance: 250km / 6 Stages
- Key Landmarks: Wadi El Rayan, Wadi Al-Hitan (Valley of Whales), Pyramids of Giza
- Climate: Peaks of 50°C with nighttime cooling
- Format: Self-supported (excluding water)
October 1: Briefing and The Threshold of the Sahara
Cairo was the gathering point for approximately 150 competitors from over thirty countries. The demographics included a group from Asia, with representation from Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea.
I began the morning with a meal before seven days in the desert. From that evening until the following Saturday, supplies were limited to freeze-dried meals and sleeping bags on the sand. My pack weighed 7.9kg (dry weight), including 4.5kg of food totaling 22,000 calories.
The atmosphere was a mix of focus and anticipation. While there was competitive interest, there was also a sense of solidarity. We recognized the upcoming physical challenges, which created a connection between participants. The morning was spent on briefings, medical clearances, and gear checks. At 1:00 pm, we boarded buses for the 3.5-hour drive southwest to Camp 1. The bivouac was located along the lower lake of Wadi El Rayan, with dunes behind the tents.
The desert was quiet. The race began with a 37km opening stage.
Pre-Race Statistics:
- Participants: ~150 runners
- Nationalities: 30+
- Pack Weight: 7.9kg
- Food Load: 4.5kg / 22,000 kcal
The race
Stage 1: Around the Lakes of Wadi El Rayan – 37.4 km
The first night in the desert was a quiet introduction to the environment. The camp was positioned near the southern edge of Lake Al Fayyum. While the temperature dropped during the night, my lightweight sleeping bag provided sufficient warmth. Sleeping on the sand is a notable experience; though initially soft, it becomes firm and noisy as you move during the night.
The routine began at 4:45 am with a breakfast of freeze-dried rations, gear adjustments, and a briefing. By 7:00 am, the race was underway. I started with a pace of 11–12 km/h through the second checkpoint, establishing myself in 6th position early on and focusing on maintaining that rank.
As the sun climbed, temperatures reached 42°C. I felt the effects of the heat and made the tactical decision to slow down. The final 3km were demanding, as the terrain shifted to a mix of soft sand and heat-absorbing black rocks. I walked this final stretch; the heat had slowed the entire group, which allowed me to hold my position.
The landscape consisted of open horizons with hard-packed sand and few dunes. The effort of running for a ranking is mentally demanding because it is difficult to manage nutrition on the move. Reaching the finish line was a significant relief, as the camp remained hidden from view until the final 300 meters.
I arrived at 11:20 am, but for those behind me, the effort continued as the temperature rose. By late afternoon, 89 of the 150 runners had reached the bivouac. My pack weight of nearly 10kg (including water) felt heavy for my pace. While I have no new injuries, I have to manage persistent pain under my left foot from training. Tomorrow includes 11km of hard track followed by 31km of technical dunes.
Stage 2: "Sandy Horizons" – 41.6 km
After the effort of Stage 1, I recovered well. The advantage of carrying a food-heavy pack is that I have sufficient fuel; I am eating as much as possible to reduce the weight and maintain stable energy levels. Following the 5:00 am wake-up call, we watched the sunrise over the Sahara before starting the stage at 7:00 am.
The day began with 11km of fast, hard-packed sand, with large dunes to the right. The route then turned into deep sand, leading to a rhythmic climb toward a plateau. The terrain on the plateau was uneven, with small rocks requiring attention to foot placement.
I managed my effort more effectively today. Remembering the heat from the previous day, I started at a controlled pace and focused on hydration and nutrition, consuming nearly 6 liters of water during the stage. I held 8th place for a portion of the morning, but as the heat increased, I improved my pace. I overtook three runners to move into 5th place, trailing Olivier for several hours. He was the only person I saw in the landscape.
Although I experienced a low point around the final checkpoint, the geography of this stage was manageable. The 450m elevation gain and the sections of soft sand slowed the field, making the race a test of endurance. The scenery consisted of an expanse of dunes leading to a plateau with views of the Egyptian wilderness.
Camp 3 was located on a hill, providing a clear vantage point. From the finish line, we could see the other runners approaching—tiny figures navigating the sand. Arriving early (5:31 pm) is a competitive advantage, providing sufficient time to treat blisters, eat, and rest before the temperature drops.
Stage 2 Results:
- Winner: Dan Parr (4h 07)
- My Rank: 5th (5h 31)
- Last Finisher: 12h 02
- Terrain: Hard-packed sand, rocky plateau, and sand dunes.
Technical Insight: Caloric Weight
Running 41.6km in five hours at over 40°C burns between 4,000 and 5,000 calories. By carrying 22,000 calories (4.5kg), the heavier pack weight is exchanged for the ability to maintain energy through increased nutrition.
Stage 3: "Through the Sand Valley" – 42.6 km
Stage 3 presented a demanding layout, beginning within the dunes. The first half of the course consisted of soft sand, which transitioned into a technical landscape of volcanic rocks. After an ascent to a high plateau for the third checkpoint, the trail leveled out onto harder sand for the final push to the bivouac.
The day began with a group of three French runners in the top six maintaining a fast pace. I completed the first half of the stage in 2h 30, feeling capable and holding fourth position for a time. However, the other runners increased their pace, and I was unable to match the change.
The section between the third and fourth checkpoints was a difficult part of the day. The heat became intense, and the soft sand returned, reducing my energy. Over the final 9km, three runners overtook me. Losing rank in the closing kilometers was a mental challenge. For the third day, the final kilometers were a test of endurance. I crossed the line in seventh for the stage, maintaining fifth place in the general classification.
The physical toll is increasing. While the blisters from previous days are managed, two new ones appeared. I am also experiencing pain under my left foot, diagnosed by the race doctor as Achilles tendonitis. I am using anti-inflammatories to manage the challenge.
Despite the discomfort, my heat acclimatization is improving. I burned approximately 4,000 calories during the stage, plus 1,800 for basal metabolism. With an intake of 3,700 calories per day, I am operating at a deficit. I recognize the resilience of the participants who spent nearly twelve hours on the trail; their effort reflects the nature of the Sahara.
Stage 3 Results:
- Winner: Dan Parr (4h 14)
- My Rank: 7th (5h 43)
- Overall Rank: 5th
- Last Finisher: 11h 47
Tomorrow includes our fourth marathon. The organizers expect harder-packed sand and fewer dunes—which will result in a faster pace at the front of the pack.
Stage 4: “The Gardens of the Castel” – 40.4 km
The fourth marathon began with 137 of the original 150 competitors. The first 50 meters were difficult. A large heel blister (3cm by 2cm) combined with several raw toes made running difficult. Soft sand is challenging for blisters because it forces the foot to move inside the shoe, allowing grit to enter open sores.
Within the first kilometer, I had dropped to 30th place. My shoes were filling with sand, but I did not stop to clear them to avoid losing time.
Fortunately, as the terrain transitioned to flat, hard-packed sand, my stride returned. I observed that running often caused less discomfort than walking. I overtook several runners, reaching the first checkpoint in 8th place. Near the second checkpoint, I caught up with Olivier. He was struggling, so we decided to run the remainder of the stage together.
Olivier was working on a mountaineering project, so we discussed high-altitude peaks while moving through the 40°C heat. This was a helpful distraction that allowed us to maintain a steady 8 km/h pace. We were eventually overtaken by two fast Japanese runners, but we maintained a gap with the rest of the field.
We crossed the line together in 5h 19 (8th place). The second half of the stage felt more manageable than the first. We treated the day as a managed session, ahead of the 87km Long March tomorrow.
The effects of the Sahara were visible in camp. Two of my tent mates were forced to withdraw, and another competitor required medical attention and evacuation to Cairo. Despite the withdrawals, the landscape was notable. We used a portion of our water rations to wash our feet, which was a necessity to clean sand out of open sores.
Stage 4 Results:
- Winner: Dan Parr (4h 14)
- My Rank: 8th (5h 19)
- Last Finisher: 10h 48
- Hydration: 10 liters daily
Tomorrow is the major stage of the Sahara Race: two marathons back-to-back during the peak heat.
Stage 5: “The Tethis Ocean March” – 86.4 km
The “Long March” began with uncertainty. My right heel was in poor condition, making it difficult to walk, and my muscles were fatigued. I faced a tactical choice: cover distance quickly in the first few hours or adopt a conservative pace. I chose the latter, committing to a steady 8 km/h and ignoring the pace of the runners around me.
I maintained this rhythm for the first 44km, navigating through the landscape of what was once the Tethys Ocean. However, the physical toll became severe by the fourth checkpoint. I stopped for a bandage change on my heel, and the medical team provided necessary pain relief to continue.
By mid-stage, I held sixth position. Catching the runner ahead was not feasible. My race shifted to a defensive effort as a consistent headwind picked up, blowing across a uniform stretch of trail that made running difficult. I spent over 40km in solitude, navigating the wind. When the gusts subsided, I resumed running, aware that the gap to the pursuers was closing.
I reached the finish line after sunset, following 12 hours and 15 minutes on the trail. The pressure remained until the final meters; the runner behind me crossed two minutes later. While I dropped one rank in the general classification to sixth place overall, I was satisfied with the performance. I was one hour behind the fifth-place runner and one hour ahead of the seventh—a hierarchy that remained consistent across the Sahara.
A notable aspect of the standings was seeing three French runners in the top six. We found our rhythm in the Sahara.
Stage 5 Results:
- Winner: 9h 11
- My Rank: 7th (12h 15)
- Overall Rank: 6th
- Last Finisher: 27h 13
The Long March in Numbers:
- Distance: 86.4km (approximately two full marathons).
- Weight Loss: My pack was lighter as I had consumed over 3kg of food.
- Total Calories Burned: Estimated at 9,500 kcal for the 24-hour period.
Rest Day
While the “Long March” ended, the body remained in a state of fatigue—the result of six marathons in five days and exposure to the Saharan sun. During the twelve hours on the trail, my watch recorded 7,200 calories burned. Against that expenditure, I consumed only a portion of that in freeze-dried fuel, while processing 10 liters of water. The metabolic balance of the desert results in a deficit.
The rest day was a necessary period of psychological endurance. We spent the day in our tents, managing the persistent presence of flies. In the desert, flies are attracted to the salt and sweat of the participants.
To pass the time, I utilized Sudoku. The repetitive logic reminded me of the days spent waiting during high-altitude expeditions. Between puzzles, the bivouac was filled with conversation. We shared stories of races and considered future challenges.
Tomorrow is the final day. The stage includes less than 2km to cover. The remaining challenge is the task of placing my bandaged feet into my shoes for the final effort.
Stage 6: Pyramids of Giza – 2 km
We left the camp in the morning for a 2.5-hour bus transfer to Giza. We ran the final 2km at the base of the Pyramids to cross the official finish line of the 2011 Sahara Race.
After the finish, we headed to the hotel for a necessary shower and the award ceremony. In the final results, the winner completed the race in 25h 13, while the last finisher completed the course in 72h 14.
I finished 6th overall with a total time of 33h 13, and placed 1st in my age group out of 54 runners. It was a satisfactory conclusion to a demanding week in the desert.
Sahara Race Summary:
- Total Distance: 250km
- Overall Rank: 6th (33h 13)
- Age Group Rank: 1st
- Finishers: 137 out of 150 starters
Information
Gear List
Preparing for the Sahara Race required balancing caloric intake against pack weight. Having recently completed other desert races, I used a standard kit optimized for the dry heat of Egypt. My dry pack weight was 7.9kg.
- Pack: A 40L lightweight racing pack with a waterproof pocket for the camera.
- Clothing: One short-sleeved and one long-sleeved technical tee, one pair of shorts, and a lightweight waterproof jacket.
- Footwear: One pair of trail running shoes with lightweight gaiters and two pairs of socks.
- Accessories: A cap, a neck gaiter, and sunglasses.
- Navigation and Monitoring: A multi-sport watch with a heart rate monitor and compass.
Nutrition and Hydration
I carried 4.5kg of food, totaling 22,000 calories for the week (approx. 3,140 kcal/day).
- Macronutrient split: 58.3% carbohydrates, 25.1% fats, 16.6% proteins.
- Hydration: I averaged 10 liters of water per day—5 liters during the stages and 5 liters for recovery and preparation in camp.
Climate
In the Wadi El Rayan and Faiyum regions during October, the weather is characterized by notable temperature variance.
- Daytime Temperatures: Typically between 30°C and 38°C in the shade, with ground temperatures on the dunes exceeding 45°C.
- Nighttime Temperatures: Usually between 15°C and 18°C.
- Relative Humidity: Low (often <20%).
Temperature Sensation: While 15°C is not cold, it is a significant factor in a racing context. After several hours of running in 40°C heat, the body’s core temperature is elevated. When the sun sets and the temperature drops by 20–25 degrees, the body—depleted of energy—requires insulation. This makes the morning briefings and the nights in the sleeping bag feel colder than the temperature indicates, requiring long sleeves and a suitable sleeping bag for recovery.
