a hellish race filled with emotions in the African Eden

The Ennedi region (Chad) has less than one inhabitant per square kilometre. The participants of a trail, in the middle of the Sahara desert, therefore do not go unnoticed. On their way, they come across a few huts and their occupants. “It must not be often that they saw Europeans crossing their lands. They don’t expect to see aliens, dressed like we’re dressed“, says a runner. The inhabitants of the region live from livestock and camels, which they take to the gueltas, canyons where water gushes out as if by a miracle. For the inhabitants of the desert, camels are the good the most precious.

Today’s stage is the longest of the route: 58 km on the plain. Jean-Victor took the lead. André, a retired baker, is far behind but keeps smiling: he is not running for victory. “What pleasure, what happiness! I still have a lot to live for. For me, I am not 70 years old, I will still make beautiful ones in the years to come“, he says. The landscapes parade in front of the runners, who arrive at the end of the adventure. Of the 18 participants, nine have achieved the feat of covering the 200 km. The emotion is intense at the finish line . “Running, we always say it’s an individual race, but that’s not true. Me, I never think about others as much as when I’m racing.“, confides a participant, moved.