Ending with a second marathon leg
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Leg 6 | Marathon
One last competition briefing for our Gazelles. This morning they are setting out for a second marathon leg, i.e. a two-day route and a night under the stars!
Dominique Serra welcomes the Gazelles after one last “wakeup call”: “I hope that this second marathon leg will be at least as good for some, and better for others. Everyone is tired, women and machines, so we’ll see the outcome tomorrow.”
On this morning’s start line, the Gazelles receive a small bottle of Tsarine champagne to celebrate their evening in the dunes! Leg 6 features 11 checkpoints and an ideal distance of 220 kilometres. “If you don’t want to sleep alone, stop a little earlier. Even if it’s just 6:30, stop when you meet another team,” repeats Ludovic Taché, the Sport Director. “And it’s going to be hot today, about 30 degrees so be sure to stay hydrated!”
The Gazelles will have a choice between two routes at CP4: the classic route and Route X, which passes through the dunes of erg Chegaga. “This route is challenging, but it’s not the X route in Merzouga; it’s more like a strong Y. The Chegaga dunes are generally rounder. If you choose the classic route, you will go around the dunes but there will still be sand, and you can follow the trail which you should be able to make out in the sand.”
“Have a great marathon and be sure to pick up all your garbage because this is a more sensitive area, and part of it is within a protected zone. And don’t play your music too loudly tonight: you might scare away the real Gazelles: about 50 of them live in Chegaga!”
