Sahara RaceTM 2005 competitors complete 250 kilometer footrace across the desert at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt
(Oct 10, 2005) -- On October 1, 2005, one-hundred (100) competitors representing 22 countries crossed the finish line at the Pyramids of Giza, having completed the 250 kilometer, six-stage, seven-day footrace across the hottest place on Earth, the Sahara Desert in Egypt.
The overall winner was Ray Zahab from Canada who completed the six-stages in a total of 26:24:45. The women's division winner was Terri Schneider of the United States who finished in a total time of 32:18:54. The second place men's winner was Kevin Lin from Taiwan who completed the race in 27:33:59. Joe Holland from the United States finished third in a time of 31:42:21. The second place women's winner was Kazuko Kaihata from Japan and in third place was Lisanne Dorion of the United States. Team Illinois of the United States, consisting of Dave Kuhnau, Nancy Fudacz-Burrows and Joel Burrows, won the team division in a time of 43:38:25.
The Sahara Race™, which started outside Farafra Oasis in the White Desert, took competitors on a journey through one of the most beautiful parts of the Sahara Desert, crossing valleys, sand dunes and passing through several small oases before moving into the hilly terrain of the Black Desert around Bahariya Oasis. The Pyramids of Giza provided the backdrop for the finish line just below the Sphinx.
The full field of competitors was both competitive and diverse, with past winners Kevin Lin (Atacama Crossing 2004), Lisanne Dorion (Gobi March 2005), Nancy Fudacz-Burrows (Atacama Crossing 2004) and Evgeny Gorkov (Gobi March 2005) present. The youngest competitor was 21-year-old Han Jang from Korea and the oldest, Laurie Brophy from Wales, United Kingdom, aged 73. Also among the competitors were professional executives, business leaders, doctors, lawyers and bankers.
Day one proved to be very tough with temperatures exceeding 50°C (124°F) in the mid-day sun. Reaching the second checkpoint, 20 kilometers from the start line, several competitors suffered from serious dehydration and heat exhaustion and were unable to complete the end of the stage. However, competitors Kevin Lin from Taiwan and Ray Zahab from Canada took up positions at the front they would hold for the duration of the race.
By day two competitors were acclimatizing to the harsh environmental conditions of the desert. A decision was made by the race organization to bring the start time forward, which allowed competitors some respite from the mid-day sun. Temperatures continued to soar, and would remain high for the entire week, both day and night.
Stage five was the longest stage, covering a distance of 80 kilometers, over hilly terrain in the Black Desert. Competitors continued the stage throughout the night aided by glow sticks, which marked the course. The first checkpoint marked the mid-way point of the race, where competitors were treated to a can of Coca-Cola. Further into the stage, competitors reached a small village oasis, inhabited by a small population who welcomed competitors and offered them tea under the shade of palm trees. A mandatory 45 minute stop at this checkpoint was imposed to ensure the safety of competitors. A few kilometers further along the course, another mandatory stop, where competitors could bathe in a sulfur spring.
By completing the Sahara Race™, eighteen competitors qualified for The Last Desert™ in Antarctica scheduled to take place in late January 2006. In Antarctica, competitors will have to conquer three 80 kilometer stages while taking refuge on a ship between stages. Competitors who make it to the finish line of The Last Desert™ will be awarded the 4 Deserts™ medal.
The Sahara Race™ will be featured on CNN's "Inside the Middle East" in November 2005. The Sahara Race™ will also be shown on PBS in the United States and KBS in Korea.
Fortune Magazine was the official media partner of the Sahara Race 2005 (Egypt), and will also be the media partner for the entire 4 Deserts™ series.
The Coca-Cola Company provided 13,000 liters of Dasani water which was consumed by both competitors and staff during the seven day period.
The Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts was the official hotel, where competitors spent two nights after the race. Staff spent two days at the hotel training prior to the race and a further two nights after the race.
About the 4 DesertsTM
The Sahara Race™ is part of the 4 Deserts™, a series of footraces across the world's most forbidding deserts: the Atacama Crossing™ (Chile), the Sahara Race™ (Egypt), the Gobi March™ (China) and The Last Desert™ (Antarctica). These locations represent the driest, hottest, coldest and windiest places on Earth. The 4 Deserts™ attract individuals from all backgrounds and from all walks of life, the majority being professionals including bankers, lawyers, airline pilots and medical doctors. Competitors range in age from 21 to 73 years old.
About RacingThePlanet®
RacingThePlanet® is an international outdoor lifestyle brand and world leader in organizing some of the world's most prestigious outdoor events including the 4 Deserts™, a series of 7-day footraces across the world's largest and most forbidding deserts. These events include the Gobi March™ in China, the Atacama Crossing™ in Chile, the Sahara Race™ in Egypt and The Last Desert™ in Antarctica. Headquartered in Hong Kong, RacingThePlanet® has representative offices in the United States, Korea, Japan, Sweden and Chile.
For further information about The Last Desert in Antarctica, please contact Mary K. Gadams at mgadams@racingtheplanet.com or visit the website at www.racingtheplanet.com.
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