The brand new 12 months has many people occupied with making an attempt one thing we’ve by no means executed earlier than. Perhaps you need to run a marathon or go to a brand new nation.
Nicely, how about each?
I like working and after I was invited to the Sahara Desert for the Treg Algeria Path for per week of ultramarathons and sightseeing, I couldn’t resist a visit to see what it was all about.
What's the Treg Algeria Path?
Treg organises path working and desert marathon holidays internationally. They're multi-day, multi-distance races the place the runners should information themselves with a GPS whereas carrying all the things they want - together with water, meals and further layers - with them.
Although the terrain varies from nation to nation, the corporate prides itself on its distinctive and jaw-dropping places. I took half in its newest journey which sees runners navigate the desert landscapes of Timimoun in Algeria.
Runners had the selection of both a 45km, 90km or 180km route - all of which took them by means of dunes, oases, plateaus and mountains.
The week-long journey included two days of sightseeing, one at the beginning and one on the finish, a day of preparation and security checks and three days to finish their chosen distance.
The race started early on a Tuesday morning within the coronary heart of Timimoun. There was an awesome ambiance at the beginning line with native singers and musicians getting everybody overvalued. It virtually felt like a pageant.
From right here, the primary a part of the race as much as checkpoint 1 was the identical route for everybody, irrespective of which distance they have been working.
It’s at this level, I've to confess that I solely accomplished this primary 20km part and never all the route. I like working however I solely had seven weeks to arrange and I’m nowhere close to match sufficient to run a marathon, by no means thoughts one within the desert.
Fortuitously for me, there was a pleasant cool breeze to fight the warmth on the primary day of the race.
Nonetheless, this was my first time within the Sahara and I used to be fully blown away by the surroundings as I joined the remainder of the runners for the primary stretch of their journey.
Who's a desert marathon for?
I spent my time working and trekking alongside all types of individuals at the beginning of the race. For some time, I walked with a group of Algerian feminine jail guards.
I requested them why they'd determined to come back and do that race.
“Life is brief, why not go on an journey?” one replied.
Throughout my week in Algeria, I met so many different fascinating, and admittedly, inspiring individuals too.
For those who’re tempted by an journey vacation like this, however don’t have any mates as invested in working lengthy distances within the desert as you, worry not.
Everybody was so pleasant and the group felt like an enormous household by the top making it an awesome possibility for solo travellers.
The typical age for ultra-distance occasions tends to be somewhat older because it takes time to construct up your endurance. Nonetheless, the ages ranged from round 30 to mid-70s and it attracts a reasonably even cut up of women and men.
I met one 71 12 months previous man who accomplished the 180km distance. He was then planning to spend the following few months strolling dwelling to Nantes in western France from Algiers, the capital of Algeria.
Was he mad? Perhaps. Was he unbelievable? Completely.
When is the very best time to go to Timimoun?
Timimoun is a city and district in central Algeria, round a two hour flight south of Algiers. It’s often called a purple oasis as a result of its beautiful signature architectural fashion.
In line with Toufik Boudraa, the proprietor of the Djenane Malek lodge the place all of us stayed, the very best time to go to is between October and late April.
You’ll keep away from the blistering temperatures of the summer season while nonetheless having fun with heat, sunny days. However be sure you pack a jumper and jacket because it does get cool within the evenings.
Is it protected to go to Algeria?
The UK FCDO advises towards visiting locations inside 30km of the borders with Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, Mali and Niger nevertheless the remainder of the nation continues to be advantageous to go to.
Algeria has beforehand been a reasonably closed nation however is now making efforts to open up and welcome tourism.
The checks on the airport are very thorough - I feel I had my bag checked 3 times earlier than boarding the airplane. Though it might really feel extreme, it may very well be seen as a reassuring signal of their dedication to security.
Algeria is a Muslim nation, nevertheless there is no such thing as a requirement for girls to cowl their hair or face. I did pack a shawl although, simply in case I wished to go to any non secular buildings.
As for the race, there have been strict procedures in place to maintain everybody protected. Every runner was fitted with a tracker, carried a cell phone and will ship a misery sign from their GPS system.
Over the total 180km distance, there have been eight checkpoints, every with a health care provider, the place the runners might relaxation, refill their water provide and search medical consideration.
There was additionally navy help with autos and helicopters to watch the world in case anybody received very misplaced. Fortunately nobody did.
The subsequent Treg Algeria Path will happen in Timimoun from 25 November 2023.
Hannah Brown was a visitor of ANEP (Algerian Nationwide Publishing and Promoting Company).
Watch the video above to see extra of Hannah’s journey in Algeria.
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