Toughest race on Earth wraps up over weekend

The 29th Sultan Marathon des Sables, a gruelling 240K stage race through Morocco’s corner of the Sahara desert, finished over the weekend on Saturday. Many consider it the toughest race on earth.

Rachid El Morabity, a native of Morocco, won the race, leading from start to finish. He was also the 2011 winner and is one of only two men to break the winning streak of Morrocan brothers Mohamad and Lahcen Ahansal which dates back to 1997.

The race has been contested on and off since 1985 and has evolved from a single man’s 350K journey across the desert on foot to a race that attracts over 1,000 contestants some years, although many end up not finishing. Runners are expected to be self-sufficient during the stages, carrying food, water and other item they require with them between stations.

This year the race featured a final charity stage after the race had finished. On Sunday, a day after the race ended, a 7.7K extra stage was run to raise money for the United Nations Children’s Fund, commonly known as UNICEF.

29e Sultan MARATHON DES SABLES – Night Atmosphere by marathondessables

Also finishing in the last week was the North Pole Marathon, deemed the “coolest marathon on earth.”

A group of 47 runners fought the -30C temperatures to run a marathon in the North Pole. The event also hosts a half-marathon distance. The races attract regular competitors and charity runners.

Mike Wardain won the men’s race in a time of 4:07, nearly an hour ahead of runner up Luke Wigman, who finished in 5:03.

The women’s race was won by Anne-Marie Flammersfeld in 4:52.