About the Marathon Des Sables
The Marathon des Sables (MdS) is a 6 day / 230km endurance race across the Sahara Desert in Morocco, normally taking place at the end of March / beginning of April.
During this time the competitors (myself included!) have to carry all food, cooking equipment, survival equipment, etc over ground ranging from sand dunes to uneven rocky ground in temperatures upto 120°F.
Why I'm running the Marathon des Sables
Why would anyone put themselves through the agony of a 150 mile race across the Sahara Desert - twice?!!
Serious athlete and wildlife conservationist Pete Thompson is a 2008 veteran competitor in the Marathon des Sables, a gruelling event in one of the most hostile environments on earth. The annual Marathon takes place in Morocco next year between 27 March and 7 April 2008.
Self-sufficient except for water and medical assistance, Pete has to carry his own food, sleeping bag, cooking utensils, clothing and emergency equipment in packs weighing up to 15kg. The course is divided into six stages that include, mountains and sand dunes dunes - but mostly scorched Saharan flatlands as far as the eye can see. The crippling terrain is punctuated by sporadic sandstorms that blow up out of nowhere. With a total absence of water in the air, sweat evaporates instantly.
Pete explains: "I ran 150 miles across the Sahara in 2005 to raise money and awareness for the Barbary Lion Project. These incredible animals who once roamed the Atlas Mountains across North Africa were hunted to extinction 75 years ago because of their dark heavy manes. I have worked with Barbary lions for 10 years as a keeper and am striving to support Rabat Zoo with the continuation of this subspecies, with the 70 animals left in captivity worldwide."
Big cat conservation supporters know that human poverty has to be in check for wildlife issues to move forward - and African countries are the priority.
If Africa could increase its share of world trade by just 1%, it could generate 5 times more income than the continent currently receives in debt and aid relief. Oxfam
Fair Trade sponsors will make donations to the Barbary Lion Project in recognition of retail sales at local events and online. Further donations will be forthcoming for referrals of places to eat and shop, as well as local groups and their planned events, that want to add Fair Trade to their business.
We all buy and use things without wondering who is producing them for us. Commercial decisions are made on cost and quality, not the effect it has on people thousands of miles away. The same products are available as Fair Trade without adding to the poverty spiral of millions. No compromises are necessary on cost or quality, just a decision to make a difference through your consumer and business buying power.
Fair Trade is a stopgap measure, not a long term solution. Global market reforms are badly needed and will take some time to achieve. In the meantime, everyday items like coffee, chocolate, sugar, rice and fruit like citrus and bananas are sourced from developing countries. Cut price conventional brands routinely involve commercial exploitation of farmers and child labour prevents school attendance. Health care and education are luxuries for those working under slave labour conditions. Understandably, wildlife conservation comes a long way down the list of local priorities.
That’s where consumers and businesses can show this situation is urgent and unacceptable – through buying Fair Trade. The International Fair Trade Association www.ifat.org develops and monitors the market for products and puts people in a position to look after their families now. Only Fair Trade certified products guarantee that farmers can cover production costs and receive a fair wage. Poverty is the enemy of people, the environment and wildlife. Refusing to fuel it is a personal choice that makes a world of difference.
| Fairtrade Fortnight 200825 February – 9 March | www.fairtrade.org.uk |
| World Water Day 22 Marchwww.worldwaterday.org | |
| Marathon des Sables27 March – 7 April | |
| World Fair Trade Day 200810 May | www.ifat.org |
| World Animal Day 4 October | www.worldanimalday.org |
Recommended Fair Trade and Ethical products and wholesale supply contacts
Jambohut
www.jambohut.comFair Trade giftware for retail sale and fundraising
Ron Davis (+44) 01233 860476 ron.davis@jambohut.com
50% of net profits go to wildlife conservation. The Barbary Lion Project is supported by Jambohut through the Andrew Hind Wildlife Trust.
One water
Duncan Goose (+44) 0207 841 2999 duncan@global-ethics.com
Changing lives, one person, one day at a time
Did you know that 1 billion people in the world don’t have access to clean water? Or that 2 million people die each year as a result of water related diseases? One water gives all profits, every last drop, to building unique PlayPump water pumping systems overseas which improve people’s lives by providing free, clean water. Business branded pumps through sales also give the opportunity be there on site for the unveiling.
North South Travel
www.northsouthtravel.co.uk - (+44) 01245 608291
Fair Trade travel company that directly supports people trapped in poverty in developing countries as well as the Barbary Lion Project. Every flight a flight against poverty.
Ecocoffee
Paul Greenhalgh 01883 717483 paul@ecocoffee.co.uk
Ethiopian Fairtrade OCFCU Mocha Sidamo coffee from the farmers in the film “Black Gold”
Where does your coffee money go? Find out with the coffee calculator.
Cadwyn Gifts
Ffred Cadwyn (+44) 01559 384378 swyddfa@cadwyn.com
Moroccan “Magical Atlas” Thuya wooden giftware
Vinceremos
www.vinceremos.co.ukJem Gardiner 01132 440002
Fairtrade and Moroccan wine
Divine Chocolate
Fairdeal Trading
James Lloyd 07966 144819 j.lloyd@fairdealtrading.com
Fairtrade sports balls and Ethletic Fairtrade sneakers
Personal Training
Ian Douglas (+44) 0788 788 8136
Ian Douglas is Pete Thompson’s personal trainer for the Sahara Marathon and multiple world record holder and British Champion in boxing, bodybuilding and power-lifting.
Body strength and endurance capabilities of the highest order are essential to survive the most gruelling marathon ever. I train Peter using a professional level 3-split system. The body is divided into 3 different areas: 1. Legs and biceps, 2. Back and shoulders, and 3. Chest and triceps. His abdominal muscles are worked each time as part of the warm-up with medium to high repetitions on the exercises performed.
In addition to three, three-hour training sessions with Ian each week, Pete also has 3 running sessions per week of between six and 15 miles each. Together with a strict healthy diet, this maintains Pete’s superb cardiovascular condition for such an extremely body taxing endurance event.
A beginner programme with very light weights twice per week is a good starting point. It’s important to use all body parts including legs, chest, back, shoulders, arms and abdominals. Fitness is a choice to keep the mind, body and spirit in top shape – whether for the Marathon des Sables or the challenges of modern living right here at home.
Contact
email: office@thewildlink.org
Links
- www.saharamarathon.co.uk - More information about the MdS (you could run it too!)
- www.facingafrica.org - Helping to cure and prevent NOMA
- www.darbaroud.com - The organizers of the MdS
- www.bestofmorocco.co.uk - Tailor-made trips to Morocco (marathon not compulsory)