Over the last few days the pop-media has been buzzing with the news that pop star Madonna has plans to run the grueling Marathon des Sables next April. We decided to ignore the story until several emails arrived asking us if The View from Fez knew where Madonna had booked to stay. As if! So, for the true story... read on.
Entries, for what the organisers call "the worlds toughest race", are selected by lottery well in advance, and organizers are currently conducting a lottery for the 2011 race. The 151-mile race is held over six days, so participants run nearly the equivalent of a marathon each day. Not only that, but the runners have to carry all of their equipment with them .
Medical statistics from the Marathon des Sables in Morocco: number of treatments: 4394, diarrhoea tablets administered: 3200; bandage used: 1.8 km!
While Madonna is certainly in good shape, the demands of an ultramarathon in the Sahara Desert are not to be taken lightly. Participants train for months or even years, building up to lengthy long runs and training to run with a backpack. And once you are fit... the entry fee is only $3,950.
The View from Fez is amused by the notion of Madonna running the marathon, but we are here to tell you that the story is a media beat-up. As soon as the story surfaced, Madonna's publicist, Liz Rosenberg, said very clearly: "It's not true."
See our true stories about the Marathon de Sable here: Marathon de Sable
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