4 Deserts's Posts - Running in Tokyo/Japan - Marathon/Clubs/Track Races2024-03-28T23:26:44Z4 Desertshttp://runningintokyo.com/profile/RacingThePlanethttp://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1952287217?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1http://runningintokyo.com/profiles/blog/feed?user=racingtheplanet&xn_auth=noThe Last Desert (Antarctica) 2016tag:runningintokyo.com,2015-10-14:1117704:BlogPost:1230602015-10-14T07:55:33.000Z4 Desertshttp://runningintokyo.com/profile/RacingThePlanet
<p>Name: The Last Desert 2016</p>
<p>Date: November 2016</p>
<p>Organiser: The 4 Deserts Race Series Ltd</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/thelastdesert/" target="_self">http://www.4deserts.com/thelastdesert/</a></p>
<p>Contact: info@4deserts.com</p>
<p>The Last Desert is a 6-stage, 250-kilometer self-supported footrace at the final frontier in Antarctica. This race is only open to those who have completed at least <b><i>two</i></b> of the <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/">4…</a></p>
<p>Name: The Last Desert 2016</p>
<p>Date: November 2016</p>
<p>Organiser: The 4 Deserts Race Series Ltd</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/thelastdesert/" target="_self">http://www.4deserts.com/thelastdesert/</a></p>
<p>Contact: info@4deserts.com</p>
<p>The Last Desert is a 6-stage, 250-kilometer self-supported footrace at the final frontier in Antarctica. This race is only open to those who have completed at least <b><i>two</i></b> of the <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/">4 Deserts Race Series</a> events which include the <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/">Gobi March</a> in China, the <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/atacamacrossing/">Atacama Crossing</a> in Chile and the <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/sahararace/">Sahara Race</a> (which currently takes place in Namibia). Each individual must carry a minimal amount of safety equipment. Assistance is provided throughout including water (plenty), shelter and medical assistance.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Last Desert is the only multi-day stage race on the Antarctic continent. It will begin in Ushuaia, Argentina - competitors will travel by ship across the famous Drake Passage to several locations in Antarctica and outlying islands. Besides racing, competitors will experience the unique wildlife in Antarctica, glaciers and are transported by zodiacs to shore each day. This once-in-a-lifetime experience is not only open for competitors, family and friends and also welcomed to join.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>More information about the race is available at <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/thelastdesert">www.4deserts.com/thelastdesert</a></p>Sahara Race (Namibia) 2016tag:runningintokyo.com,2015-10-14:1117704:BlogPost:1230582015-10-14T07:53:05.000Z4 Desertshttp://runningintokyo.com/profile/RacingThePlanet
<p>Name: Sahara Race 2016</p>
<p>Date: 1 – 7 May 2016</p>
<p>Organiser: The 4 Deserts Race Series Ltd</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/sahararace/">http://www.4deserts.com/sahararace/</a></p>
<p>Contact: info@4deserts.com</p>
<p>The course of the Sahara Race (Namibia) 2016 takes competitors across 250 kilometers (approximately 155 miles) of stunning desert terrain in the country of Namibia that is home to the oldest desert and the largest dunes in the world. Over seven days…</p>
<p>Name: Sahara Race 2016</p>
<p>Date: 1 – 7 May 2016</p>
<p>Organiser: The 4 Deserts Race Series Ltd</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/sahararace/">http://www.4deserts.com/sahararace/</a></p>
<p>Contact: info@4deserts.com</p>
<p>The course of the Sahara Race (Namibia) 2016 takes competitors across 250 kilometers (approximately 155 miles) of stunning desert terrain in the country of Namibia that is home to the oldest desert and the largest dunes in the world. Over seven days competitors will traverse the Namib desert to the Skeleton Coast. The terrain will vary between sand, sand dunes, rocky terrain and dirt track and some grassy areas. More information about the race is available at <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/sahararace">www.4deserts.com/sahararace</a></p>Gobi March (China) 2016tag:runningintokyo.com,2015-10-14:1117704:BlogPost:1230562015-10-14T07:51:57.000Z4 Desertshttp://runningintokyo.com/profile/RacingThePlanet
<p>Name: Gobi March 2016</p>
<p>Date: 19 – 25 June 2016</p>
<p>Organiser: The 4 Deserts Race Series Ltd</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/" target="_blank">http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/</a></p>
<p>Contact: info@4deserts.com</p>
<p>Gobi March (China) 2016 is the 50<sup>th</sup> race of the 4 Deserts Race Series. It is a a 7-day, 250-kilometer self-supported footrace, takes place in Hami region in the eastern part of Xinjiang Province in China. Along the 250…</p>
<p>Name: Gobi March 2016</p>
<p>Date: 19 – 25 June 2016</p>
<p>Organiser: The 4 Deserts Race Series Ltd</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/" target="_blank">http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/</a></p>
<p>Contact: info@4deserts.com</p>
<p>Gobi March (China) 2016 is the 50<sup>th</sup> race of the 4 Deserts Race Series. It is a a 7-day, 250-kilometer self-supported footrace, takes place in Hami region in the eastern part of Xinjiang Province in China. Along the 250 kilometers / 155 miles of the course, the terrain includes grasslands, farmlands, dirt tracks, riverbeds, rolling hills, mountain valleys, plains and plateaus. Competitors pass through local villages and across grazing lands where shepherds tend to their flocks. The region has a number of highlights, including the beautiful Tian Shan Mountains, vast grass lands, sand dunes and villages of ethnic minorities. An oasis city, Hami is particularly well known for its sweet melons as well as cotton and grapes. More information about the race is available at <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch">www.4deserts.com/gobimarch</a></p>Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2016tag:runningintokyo.com,2015-10-14:1117704:BlogPost:1231762015-10-14T07:50:25.000Z4 Desertshttp://runningintokyo.com/profile/RacingThePlanet
<p>Name: Atacama Crossing 2016</p>
<p>Date: 2 – 8 October 2016</p>
<p>Organiser: The 4 Deserts Race Series Ltd</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/atacamacrossing/" target="_blank">http://www.4deserts.com/atacamacrossing/</a></p>
<p>Contact: info@4deserts.com</p>
<p>The course of the Atacama Crossing (Chile), a 7-day, 250-kilometer self-supported footrace, takes competitors across a wide variety of terrains and includes approximately 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) of ascents and…</p>
<p>Name: Atacama Crossing 2016</p>
<p>Date: 2 – 8 October 2016</p>
<p>Organiser: The 4 Deserts Race Series Ltd</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/atacamacrossing/" target="_blank">http://www.4deserts.com/atacamacrossing/</a></p>
<p>Contact: info@4deserts.com</p>
<p>The course of the Atacama Crossing (Chile), a 7-day, 250-kilometer self-supported footrace, takes competitors across a wide variety of terrains and includes approximately 3,500 meters (11,500 feet) of ascents and descents over the 7-day race. Competitors will tackle sand-dunes, river crossings, gravel, loose rocks, hard packed earth and even waist high grass during the event. This is in addition to the infamous salt flats that even the most dexterous of runners find nearly impossible to cross at full-speed. More information about the race is available at <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/atacamacrossing">www.4deserts.com/atacamacrossing</a></p>RacingThePlanet: Sri Lanka 2016tag:runningintokyo.com,2015-10-14:1117704:BlogPost:1229632015-10-14T07:46:15.000Z4 Desertshttp://runningintokyo.com/profile/RacingThePlanet
<p>Date: 14 – 20 February 2016</p>
<p>Organiser: The 4 Deserts Race Series Ltd</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/beyond/sri%20lanka">www.4deserts.com/beyond/sri lanka</a></p>
<p>Contact: info@4deserts.com</p>
<p>The 9th Roving Race, RacingThePlanet: Sri Lanka 2016 which is part of the 4 Deserts Race Series, will take place in Sri Lanka from 14-20 February 2016. This race follows a similar format as the prestigious 4 Deserts Series. It is a 250-kilometer / 155-mile, 7-day, 6-stage…</p>
<p>Date: 14 – 20 February 2016</p>
<p>Organiser: The 4 Deserts Race Series Ltd</p>
<p>Website: <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/beyond/sri%20lanka">www.4deserts.com/beyond/sri lanka</a></p>
<p>Contact: info@4deserts.com</p>
<p>The 9th Roving Race, RacingThePlanet: Sri Lanka 2016 which is part of the 4 Deserts Race Series, will take place in Sri Lanka from 14-20 February 2016. This race follows a similar format as the prestigious 4 Deserts Series. It is a 250-kilometer / 155-mile, 7-day, 6-stage endurance footrace through the most remote, stunning and culturally rich places in Sri Lanka. The course include great variety of terrain, scenery and landscapes including golden beaches, velvety tea plantations and paddy fields, jungle and sub-tropical terrain, highlands and waterfalls plus heritage that Sri Lanka is famous for including ancient temples that dot the landscape. The race is self-supported which means that competitors must carry all their own equipment and food, but are provided with water and a place in a tent each day and are supported by professional medical and operations teams.</p>The Sahara Race 2012 features on NHKtag:runningintokyo.com,2013-01-07:1117704:BlogPost:928042013-01-07T04:28:57.000Z4 Desertshttp://runningintokyo.com/profile/RacingThePlanet
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974485758?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974485758?profile=original" width="693"></img></a></p>
<p>In 2012 NHK filmed Yasuhito Wakita, or 'Wacky' as he is better known, undertake and conquer the Sahara Race, a 250km self supported footrace in Egypt. Check out the brief trailer for the documentary at <a href="http://www.nhk.or.jp/ichiban/">www.nhk.or.jp/ichiban/</a> and watch the full program on the below dates. </p>
<p>January 10 (Thu) 22h00 - 22h50 "Chikyu…</p>
<p></p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974485758?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974485758?profile=original" width="693" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>In 2012 NHK filmed Yasuhito Wakita, or 'Wacky' as he is better known, undertake and conquer the Sahara Race, a 250km self supported footrace in Egypt. Check out the brief trailer for the documentary at <a href="http://www.nhk.or.jp/ichiban/">www.nhk.or.jp/ichiban/</a> and watch the full program on the below dates. </p>
<p>January 10 (Thu) 22h00 - 22h50 "Chikyu Ichiban" Wacky in Sahara Race 2012 ....Part I/II<br/>Januray 24 (Thu) 22h00 - 22h50 "Chikyu Ichiban" Wacky in Sahara Race 2012 ....Part II/II</p>The Last Desert Makes Racing Historytag:runningintokyo.com,2012-12-04:1117704:BlogPost:924252012-12-04T09:20:40.000Z4 Desertshttp://runningintokyo.com/profile/RacingThePlanet
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974485472?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974485472?profile=original" width="640"></img></a></p>
<p>The Last Desert (Antarctica) 2012 has proved to be a momentous race in 4 Deserts racing history. When the fifth edition of the event came to a close in the snowy setting of Danko Island yesterday, new records were being forged in all directions.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Anne-Marie Flammersfeld of Germany emerged as the first woman to ever win all four events in the 4 Deserts…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974485472?profile=original" target="_self"><img src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974485472?profile=original" width="640" class="align-center"/></a></p>
<p>The Last Desert (Antarctica) 2012 has proved to be a momentous race in 4 Deserts racing history. When the fifth edition of the event came to a close in the snowy setting of Danko Island yesterday, new records were being forged in all directions.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Anne-Marie Flammersfeld of Germany emerged as the first woman to ever win all four events in the 4 Deserts series—and not only that, she did it all in one year. “My objective was the 4 Deserts Grand Slam,” explains the 34-year old fitness trainer and sports scientist who is based in Switzerland. “I started training mid-2011. The Atacama Crossing was my first ultra ever and it was all about the first experience... It was really only after the Sahara Race, that I knew I could do this.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>There was also a remarkable victory for overall race winner, Vicente Juan Garcia Beneito. The Spanish racer came to Antarctica having already won each of the 4 Deserts races in 2012, including the Atacama Crossing (Chile), the Gobi March (China) and Sahara Race (Egypt). By winning The Last Desert (Antarctica), he joins Ryan Sandes as the only other person to have been champion of every race in the 4 Deserts series—but Beneito has taken it up a notch by winning them all in one calendar year for the first time.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“I’m really happy, this is a dream come true,” said the Spaniard. “This was the hardest race for me, I really had to focus. The terrain was a challenge, also the unpredictability of the conditions and weather. It was also hard because the Sahara Race was so close. I have had a problem in my foot, the tendons have been inflamed.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>Germany’s Michael Brehe took second overall position, powering through every stage with a deft ability to race across snow and ice. Anne-Marie Flammersfeld was third overall winner and Japan’s Hidechika Kadasawa came in fourth position. In the women’s division, two great athletes tied as second-placed females: Nahila Hernandez San Juan of Mexico and Australia’s Sandy Suckling.</p>
<p></p>
<p>In the team’s division, yet more staggering feats took place in the snow: The winning team, JDRF Born to Run, became the first team to complete all 4 Desert races—and again, they did it all in 2012. The group consists of Australians Jess Baker, Roger Hanney, Ron Schwabel and father and son Greg and Matt Donovan. Their experience was dedicated to raising awareness and funding for Type 1 diabetes research.</p>
<p></p>
<p>“We feel so relieved,” said Greg Donovan. “So much time and effort has gone into planning. With a team of five, so much can go wrong and as a team there is a greater chance of failure then taking part as individuals. Now, it’s time to celebrate.”</p>
<p>The Last Desert began on November 24th on King Georges Island and saw 49 competitors from 27 countries set out across up to 200-kilometers in the only multi-stage event to take place on the Antarctic continent. They raced in varying weather conditions over several days, from sunlit skies to snow flurries and from deep snow to bare cliffs.</p>
<p></p>
<p>By the end of the race, 39 competitors had joined the 4 Deserts Club, of which 18 completed the 4 Deserts Grand Slam. Among them was 22-year old James Gaston of the United States who became the third person to complete all five RacingThePlanet events in one calendar year (including RacingThePlanet: Jordan).</p>
<p></p>
<p>“This has been an incredible race and a fitting end to what has been an historic year for the 4 Deserts series,” said RacingThePlanet founder Mary Gadams. “We are seeing athletes show unsurpassed levels of endurance and discipline to be taking on—and winning—every event in the series. And to see a team such as JDRF Born to Run take on a great challenge and sustain such teamwork in the name of charity, has been a humbling experience.”</p>
<p></p>
<p>—Ends—</p>
<p><br/> About The Last Desert 2012 (22 Nov – 3 Dec 2012) - <a href="http://www.thelastdesert.com">www.thelastdesert.com</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>The Last Desert (Antarctica) is held every two years and forms the final race of the iconic 4 Deserts series. Competitors must complete a minimum of two of the other 4 Deserts events to be invited to participate in the race.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The self-supported footrace is up to 250 kilometers with competitors having to carry a mandatory list of equipment, nutrition and water on each stage. The race uses a polar expedition ship as its base, traveling to the different course locations on the Antarctic Peninsula and offshore islands based on the prevailing sea and weather conditions, with competitors transferred from ship to shore by special zodiacs.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The unique challenges of The Last Desert (Antarctica) include having to cope with the severity of the weather conditions that can include gale-force blizzards and temperatures down to -20 degrees C (4 degrees F). Competitors also have to deal with the unpredictability of daily stage lengths and start-times, as the prevailing environmental conditions dictate where and when stages might begin.</p>
<p><br/> About the 4 Deserts - <a href="http://www.4deserts.com">www.4deserts.com</a></p>
<p></p>
<p>The 4 Deserts is the world’s leading endurance footrace series, a unique collection of world-class races that take place over 7 days and 250 kilometers in the largest and most forbidding deserts on the planet.</p>
<p></p>
<p>Competitors must go beyond the limits of their physical and mental endurance. Racing self-supported in the most inhospitable climates and formidable landscapes, they must carry all their own equipment and food, and are only provided with drinking water and a place in a tent each night to rest.</p>
<p></p>
<p>The series, named again by TIME magazine as one of the world’s Top 10 endurance competitions, comprises the Atacama Crossing in Chile, the Gobi March in China, the Sahara Race in Egypt and The Last Desert in Antarctica.</p>
<p></p>
<p>For media and press enquiries including access to photos please email info@racingtheplanet.com.</p>
<p></p>A Truly Historic Edition of The Last Desert (Antarctica)tag:runningintokyo.com,2012-11-21:1117704:BlogPost:922252012-11-21T09:22:45.000Z4 Desertshttp://runningintokyo.com/profile/RacingThePlanet
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974484688?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-center" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974484688?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a> One of the world’s most extraordinary endurance races gets underway this Thursday, 22 November, as 55 competitors set out on a journey to race up to 250 kilometers across the world’s largest and coldest desert.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It is the fifth edition of The Last Desert, the most eagerly awaited race in the 4 Deserts series because of the rare chance it offers individuals to…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974484688?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974484688?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-center"/></a>One of the world’s most extraordinary endurance races gets underway this Thursday, 22 November, as 55 competitors set out on a journey to race up to 250 kilometers across the world’s largest and coldest desert.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>It is the fifth edition of The Last Desert, the most eagerly awaited race in the 4 Deserts series because of the rare chance it offers individuals to race in Antarctica, one of the most pristine natural settings on Earth. It promises to be an historic edition with several individuals aiming to break records. Vicente Juan Garcia Beneito, a 36-year-old firefighter from the Alicante region of Spain, sets out to become the first person in history to win all of the 4 Deserts events in one calendar year—a huge achievement. In the women’s division, Germany’s Anne-Marie Flammersfeld takes on the same challenge having won women’s gold throughout 2012.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>“The Last Desert is always an anticipated event that, for many, is the pinnacle of the 4 Deserts journey. The year 2012 is especially exciting with so many records: the men’s and women’s winners both set to make history by winning all 4 Deserts in one year; four of the youngest people ever to compete; and the largest number of Grand Slammers in history,” says Vice President of Events, Samantha Fanshawe.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>A large proportion of competitors are arriving to the end of an incredible year; 18 are attempting to complete the 4 Deserts Grand Slam in 2012, having successfully completed the Atacama Crossing (Chile), the Gobi March (China) and the Sahara Race (Egypt). Leonard Stanmore of Canada is attempting a record of his own: to be the first person to complete both the Seven Summits and the 4 Deserts series. The 60-year-old races to raise money for the charity Trekking for Kids.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>An extraordinary sense of diversity is evident in this year’s field. Amid the 55 competitors taking part, a total of 27 countries are represented, including 11 Australians in the field. Ages range from 22 years to 63 years—the oldest competitor is Kumi Murakami, a swimming coach from Japan.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The journey begins on Thursday, 22 November, when competitors board the Dutch expedition ship in Argentina and set out on a two-day route through the Drake Passage. The race kicks off on Sunday, 25 November, where competitors set out on a course that traverses a rich assortment of landscapes, from deep snow and high points, to a black sandy beach that is so warm from geothermal activity that it continually steams.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Surrounding the activity will be extraordinary wildlife of The White Continent, from penguin colonies to whales, seals and a rich variety of birds. The course is set according to weather conditions and may move over a host of settings including Paradise Bay, Cuverville, Neko Harbour and Wienke Island, on which Dorian Bay, Damoy Point and Port Lockroy are located. A night spent camping on the Antarctic Peninsular is also planned.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Unlike other 4 Deserts events, competitors will be sleeping aboard the expedition vessel between the planned six stages, yet they still must carry their own supplies - and take on the immense challenge of racing through the snow, ice and freezing conditions of the world’s largest cold desert.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>—Ends—</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>About The Last Desert 2012 (22 Nov – 3 Dec 2012) -</b> <a href="http://www.thelastdesert.com/">www.thelastdesert.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The Last Desert (Antarctica) is held every two years and forms the final race of the iconic 4 Deserts series. Competitors must complete a minimum of two of the other 4 Deserts events to be invited to participate in the race.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The self-supported footrace is up to 250 kilometers with competitors having to carry a mandatory list of equipment, nutrition and water on each stage. The race uses a polar expedition ship as its base, traveling to the different course locations on the Antarctic Peninsula and offshore islands based on the prevailing sea and weather conditions, with competitors transferred from ship to shore by special zodiacs.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The unique challenges of The Last Desert (Antarctica) include having to cope with the severity of the weather conditions that can include gale-force blizzards and temperatures down to -20 degrees C (4 degrees F). Competitors also have to deal with the unpredictability of daily stage lengths and start-times, as the prevailing environmental conditions dictate where and when stages might begin.</p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p><b>About the 4 Deserts -</b> <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/">www.4deserts.com</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>The 4 Deserts is the world’s leading endurance footrace series, a unique collection of world-class races that take place over 7 days and 250 kilometers in the largest and most forbidding deserts on the planet.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Competitors must go beyond the limits of their physical and mental endurance. Racing self-supported in the most inhospitable climates and formidable landscapes, they must carry all their own equipment and food, and are only provided with drinking water and a place in a tent each night to rest.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>The series, named again by <i>TIME</i> magazine as one of the world’s Top 10 endurance competitions, comprises the Atacama Crossing in Chile, the Gobi March in China, the Sahara Race in Egypt and The Last Desert in Antarctica.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>For media and press enquiries including access to photos please email <a href="mailto:info@racingtheplanet.com">info@racingtheplanet.com</a>. </p>The Mystical Structures of the Saharatag:runningintokyo.com,2012-08-09:1117704:BlogPost:870442012-08-09T01:45:02.000Z4 Desertshttp://runningintokyo.com/profile/RacingThePlanet
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974484053?profile=original" target="_self"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974484053?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750"></img></a></p>
<p>One of the most extraordinary moments of the Sahara Race comes at the halfway point, as competitors enter one of the planet's most mind-boggling landscapes. Set against the vast, silent expanse of a valley buried deep in the desert, are the unlikely skeletons and fossilized remains of whales. If you take a closer look at these ancient, aquatic creatures placed like…</p>
<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974484053?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1974484053?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p>
<p>One of the most extraordinary moments of the Sahara Race comes at the halfway point, as competitors enter one of the planet's most mind-boggling landscapes. Set against the vast, silent expanse of a valley buried deep in the desert, are the unlikely skeletons and fossilized remains of whales. If you take a closer look at these ancient, aquatic creatures placed like huge chess pieces across the valley floor, you may see something surprising: hind legs and fins with fingers.</p>
<p></p>
<p>This is Wadi Al-Hitan, the Valley of the Whales, which lies 150 kilometers Southwest of Cairo and was named an UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005. Once the ocean floor, this phenomenally well-preserved patch of desert has provided essential proof for scientists on the evolution of whales and evidence of their previous lives as land-based mammals. For competitors who travel into this dazzling landscape, it's a little bit like running into one of the world's largest history museums.</p>
<p></p>
<p>"The valley is an established tourist attraction and it is a privilege to be able to run the entire length of the valley and see some sights off the beaten track," marvels Mark Lindsay, Course Director of the Sahara Race 2012. "Before entering the valley, make sure you look around. The area is scattered with seashells and the occasional shark's tooth!"</p>
<p></p>
<p>The 4 Deserts races are renowned for the way they bring competitors deep into deserts and beyond the frontiers that most tourists witness. Lindsay says he has been careful to include stunning views and compelling routes in this year's course. "It's a combination of breathtaking landscapes from great vantage points and sections of rolling sand dunes that provide that iconic scene of emptiness and adventure," he explains. "The going underfoot will be surprisingly comfortable with the occasional soft section, but it all contributes to the whole nature of the race."</p>
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<p>Perhaps the greatest moment awaits competitors in the final stage, with a finish line placed tantalizingly amid the Pyramids of Giza. After pushing one's body to the max on a seven-day, 250-kilometer odyssey, competitors are able to finish like kings as they weave their way through the colossal Pyramids of Giza. Experiencing the mystical presence of these formations while pumped with the adrenaline of completing such an epic challenge, is an experience that is rarely forgotten. "The pyramids are awe-inspiring," marvels Lindsay. "It’s not until you reach the plateau overlooking the whole pyramid valley that you appreciate the scale and magnificence of this wonder."</p>
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<p>The 8<sup>th</sup> edition of <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/sahararace">Sahara Race</a> starts on the 28<sup>th</sup> of October and along with the <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/atacamacrossing/">Atacama Crossing</a> (Chile), <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/">Gobi March</a> (China) and <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/thelastdesert/">The Last Desert</a> (Antarctica) 4 Deserts Series. To register for the event complete an online application at <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/registration">www.4deserts.com/registration</a> or for more information, email us at <a href="mailto:info@racingtheplanet.com">info@racingtheplanet.com</a>. </p>Second-straight victories for Garcia Beneito and Flammersfeld in stunning Gobi March 2012tag:runningintokyo.com,2012-06-21:1117704:BlogPost:844802012-06-21T03:07:31.000Z4 Desertshttp://runningintokyo.com/profile/RacingThePlanet
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<p>Spain’s Vicente Garcia Beneito, 36, won the Gobi March 2012, earning his second-straight 4 Deserts victory in a time of 23:12:33. Garcia Beneito, winner of the Atacama Crossing 2012, never once relinquished his lead during the week-long, 250-km race.</p>
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<p>In the highly competitive women’s competition, German Anne-Marie Flammersfeld, 31, won her…</p>
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<p>Spain’s Vicente Garcia Beneito, 36, won the Gobi March 2012, earning his second-straight 4 Deserts victory in a time of 23:12:33. Garcia Beneito, winner of the Atacama Crossing 2012, never once relinquished his lead during the week-long, 250-km race.</p>
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<p>In the highly competitive women’s competition, German Anne-Marie Flammersfeld, 31, won her second-straight women’s event, leading the Gobi March 2012 from Stage 1 through the finish line in a time of 27:53:21. Flammersfeld finished fourth overall.</p>
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<p>“I am so happy,” said Garcia Beneito, at the finish line at a village school outside of Kashkari. “Some moments were very difficult but it was good I had my wife Mariana here, so it gave me hope. The most difficult day was the first day because the pack was the heaviest. Stage 4 was my favourite, but also the finale was spectacular with all the children. It made me remember my son.”</p>
<p><br/>Flammersfeld was equally thrilled with her achievement.</p>
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<p>“I’m feeling great, no pain,” Flammersfeld said. “Just the stomach had some problems. I felt very good during this whole race. The difference from the Atacama Crossing was that there I was running with a lot of people and here I went at my own pace. On my own, I go faster.”</p>
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<p>The ninth edition of one of the world’s most popular endurance races was held in the Kashgar region of China’s farwest province of Xinjiang. Of the 160 starters, 145 competitors crossed the finish line.</p>
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<p>Said RacingThePlanet CEO and founder Mary Gadams: “I’m extremely proud and impressed of the level of competition in the Gobi March 2012, both with our many former winners and competitors as well as the many competitors making their RacingThePlanet debuts. I would like to congratulate Vicente and Anne-Marie, whose strength and talent were once again on display as they won every stage this week.”</p>
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<p>The Gobi March 2012 supported the Esquel-Y.L. Yang Foundation. Since 2005, RacingThePlanet has worked with the foundation to donate sporting equipment and over 8,200 books to schools along the route of the Gobi March.</p>
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<p>A truly international event, competitors representing six different nationalities comprised the top-three overall and top-three women.</p>
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<p>Second overall was first time 4 Deserts competitor Mo N. Foustok of Saudi Arabia, 30, while third was France’s Philippe Gatta, 33. The strong women’s field saw Canadian Stephanie Case, 29, finish second behind Flammersfeld (11th overall) and Beijing-based Belgian Virginie Goethals, 36, the third-fastest woman (16th overall). The Shanghai-based Team STC, which includes Zhang Ling, 32, Pei Jun, 40, Tina Wailing, 51 and Wei Liang gang, won the team competition.</p>
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<p>In total, 42 different nationalities were represented, with a noticeable increase in the number of competitors from China, India, South America and the Middle East, speaking to the global growth of the sport.</p>
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<p>Said Hong Kong-based American Robert Hutchinson, who at 70 is the oldest competitor in the Gobi March 2012, as he crossed the finish line: “There is nothing to it.”</p>
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<p>For many competitors, the Gobi March 2012 was less about the ranking than about the experience.</p>
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<p>“It’s been really emotional,” said Hong Kong-based Briton Emily Woodland, who was the fourth-fastest woman. “It’s not really about the finish line; it’s about the whole week and the people you meet.”</p>
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<p>American Pamela Rickard, 50, who is running in support of RunWell, said: “I can’t even describe how I feel right now. I have run in many places but this exceeds all experiences and expectations.”</p>
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<p>Indian Arvind Sirohi, 44, who was one of the final competitors to complete the Gobi March 2012 said: “This has been truly a life changing experience.”</p>
<p><br/>– Ends–</p>
<p><br/>About the Gobi March 2012 (10 June – 16 June 2012) <a href="http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/" target="_blank">www.gobimarch.com</a> </p>
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<p>The Gobi March is one of the four races that comprise the world renowned 4 Deserts series of 250-kilometer, rough-country footraces.</p>
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<p>The race takes place in China's ancient Gobi Desert in Kashgar.</p>
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<p>The Gobi March's challenges include the changes in temperature from the cool highlands to heat of the desert, potential sandstorms and variety of terrain – green fields, rocky tracks, steep hills, ridges and riverbeds with multiple water-crossings.</p>
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<p>Competitors must plan carefully to maintain the delicate balance between physical exertion, nutrition and hydration in order to successfully complete the race.</p>
<p><br/>About the 4 Deserts - <a href="http://www.4deserts.com" target="_blank">www.4deserts.com</a></p>
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<p>The 4 Deserts is the world’s leading endurance footrace series, a unique collection of world-class races that take place over 7 days and 250 kilometers in the largest and most forbidding deserts on the planet.</p>
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<p>Competitors must go beyond the limits of their physical and mental endurance. Racing self-supported in the most inhospitable climates and formidable landscapes, they must carry all their own equipment and food, and are only provided with drinking water and a place in a tent each night to rest.</p>
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<p>The series, named again by TIME magazine as one of the world’s Top 10 endurance competitions, comprises the Atacama Crossing in Chile, the Gobi March in China, the Sahara Race in Egypt and The Last Desert in Antarctica.</p>
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