Footrace: More Than Just a Walk in the Park
The mere thought of running a marathon, approximately 26.2 miles, is enough to make my legs ache and my lungs cower in fear. But 150 miles? Across southern Africa? That just makes me laugh.
For some brave (and maybe a little crazy) people, however, this trek I just scoffed as impossible will become a reality on May 17.
Footrace is a six-day competition held by Racing the Planet Limited in the southern African nation of Namibia (known for its deserts and not-so-comfy climate). Racing the Planet is known for holding such races, more commonly known as the “4 Deserts.”
The “4 Deserts” consists of three 150-mile treks through Chile, China, and the Sahara, with those who make it through the first three ending with a walk across Antarctica. No big thing, right?
The upcoming race through Namibia is a little different than the “4 Deserts” races, in that it is a greater test of endurance than those offered by Racing the Planet in the past.
To participate in the trek, racers must first shell out around $3,100 — not exactly chump change in today’s economy. Although, I think I would have an easier time coming up with three grand than I would preparing my body for five straight marathons across one of planet Earth’s most unforgiving deserts.
Those who are willing to pay the monetary and physical prices then pack all they can fit (and comfortably carry) into a backpack, which becomes their only lifeline on their six-day journey. This means no bathrooms, no showers, no beds — just whatever food and simple necessitates racers need to survive the week.
Despite how difficult I’m making this sound, the race is expected to have a very good turnout.
"It's the worst economy in years, and the world seems like it's falling apart, yet there is this real thirst out there to do this," Mary Gadams, director of Racing the Planet, said. "Maybe when everything that you defined yourself by in the 'normal' world isn't so stable, some people want to rediscover who they are outside of 'normal.' They want an incredible experience."
Rest assured, anyone who is able to complete such a grueling physical challenge is bound to walk away with an experience that few will ever be able to say they have had. In addition to the experience (not to mention insane bragging rights), many racers leave their journeys with lifelong friends.
"Out there, you stink like everyone else, you sweat like everyone else, you hurt like everyone else. It's a grounding force,” Sandy McCallum explained. McCallum, 47, won the Sahara women’s event in 2007, setting a record in the process.
Unsure of whether such physical distress is really worth the effort? Rory O’Connor, a 41-year-old veteran and father of five, offers a little insight.
"People have said, 'Oh you shouldn't do that, you'll hurt yourself.' But I don't want to live my life like that, afraid of something that could happen, that might go wrong. I could hurt myself anywhere."
To all of the racers getting ready for the next big footrace, I wish you the best of luck. I may be sitting on my couch with the remote and a box of doughnuts as you begin your first mile, but my heart is with you, along with my respect.
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