Saharan Final event guide

12th-16th October 2017

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The Saharan Challenge – Final Event Information

We are now at the six weeks away from the 2017 Saharan Challenge, and by now you should have been training hard,

and have tested your kit in preparation ready for the adventure! We are excited that 130 challengers will be taking on

the Saharan Challenge as a run, jog & walk making it the biggest year yet. This final guide should provide all the details

you need - including flight info, registration, the itinerary and the route details. Please get in touch if you have any

questions by e-mailing info@thesaharanchallenge.com

REGISTRATION PACK

Your registration pack is an essential part of the Challenge and you must take it with you to Morocco.

Your pack will include:

Event Pass – to wear around your neck on a lanyard, to identify you

Event Bib Number – please attached this to your ‘day bag’ with the safety pins provided

2 Baggage Tags – attach to your main hold bag and your trekking rucksack. This will help us identify the groups’

luggage, help us if it goes missing, and makes it easily to locate between campsite transfers

Your registration pack will be mailed to the address on your Registration Form from the week starting 18th September. If

you have not received your pack by 1st October please get in touch by e-mailing info@thesaharanchallenge.com or call

us on 0207 609 6695.

FINAL TRAVEL INFORMATION

Please check your 6 Week E-Mail for details of the flight package you have booked with us (i.e. flight & airport meeting

times):

OR if you are meeting us in Marrakech – details for where to be and when.

Event Numbers & Baggage Tags

You MUST travel from home to the airport with all items from your Registration Pack fully attached – so bags are

labelled with the tags provided AND please wear your Event Pass at the airport so our team can easily identify you.

Flight Tickets

You will NOT receive tickets prior to the Challenge, these will be given to you at the airport by our staff.

Luggage Allowance

There is a strict allowance of a maximum 15kg per person for your main bag. This ensures that we have enough capacity

to transfer everyone’s baggage between the hotels and campsite. Main bags will be weighed, and any exceeding this

limit will need decanting into your trekking rucksack / day bag – which should be 30-35 litres in size and you will carry it

with you whilst trekking.

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Delay

If you are running late on the day of departure – please contact us immediately on (+44) 207 609 6695 so that we can

inform the teams at the airport. Emergency contact details for our team in Morocco will be published 1 week before the

event.

Travel Clothes – IMPORTANT!

You MUST wear your outdoor clothing and shoes that you plan on wearing for the challenge – on the plan in case any

luggage gets lost during the journey – you will at least be able to start the challenge.

Download our Iceland Challenge APP!

We have a new app for you to download so you have all the information on the challenge handy on your phone. All you

have to do is download the Action Challenge App (Search ‘Action Challenge’ in the App Store/Google Play), then enter

the code: SAHARA2017. We have uploaded all the final details, maps, FAQs and soon the route GPX files, so keep

checking back.

PASSPORT, INSURANCE AND MEDICAL DETAILS

You MUST have updated your online form with your Passport, Insurance and Medical details PRIOR to travelling. If we

do not have your details you will not be able to join the Challenge. Please ensure this is updated no later than the 15th

September.

CLICK HERE to update your Personal Details if you are Self Funding >>>

CLICK HERE to update your Personal Details if you are a Charity Fundraiser >>>

Passport

British Citizens do NOT need a visa for Morocco, but you do need a valid passport (and ideally valid for 3 months beyond

your stay). If you are NOT a British Citizen please check the visa / passport requirements by visiting the website of your

embassy in Morocco.

Travel Insurance

You MUST have appropriate travel insurance, and if you have not purchased this yet, you can do so through our

recommended providers Campbell Irvine. Please be aware if you are travelling on an ‘annual policy’ or a ‘basic’ policy

provided by your bank – you MUST check that it covers you for a trip of this nature (ie trekking being the main activity –

and that ‘helicopter evacuation’ is covered). Please bring a printed copy of your Policy with you.

CLICK HERE to go to the Campbell Irvine website for an online quote >>

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Medical

If you have declared any on-going medical conditions to us you may be contacted by our UK Challenge Doctor. This is so

he/she can understand any details and provide the best level of support during the Challenge. You must make us aware

of any new medical issues which arise prior to departure.

ITINERARY

A summary of the Challenge itinerary is set out below, with a breakdown of the distances & timings for each day. The

timings for an event of this size are extremely important – as it gives everyone the best chance of completing their

challenge – and we do expect all participants to stick to timings and instructions issued by the Event Management Team.

You will need to be ‘organised’ yourself - sorting your bags, and adhering to the meal time schedule; we can’t jeopardise

the group’s challenge by waiting for individuals if they are not ready on time. Please note some timings may be subject

to change.

Thursday 12 October - Arrival

11:00 Land-only participants – meet main group at arrivals hall of Marrakech Menara Airport

11:30 – 12:00 Whole group departs Marrakech Menara Airport on coaches (8 hour drive)

13:00 Stop for lunch en route

18:00 – 19:00 Arrival and check in to Hotel Tichka Salam, Ouarzazate

20:00 Dinner, briefing & kit check - then bed!

Friday 13 October – Trekking Day 1

04:30 Breakfast at the hotel

05:30 Two hour transfer to start line

08:00 Walkers start time

09:30-10:00 Joggers/Runners start time

Mile 6.8 AM rest stop – water & snacks

Mile 13.6 Lunch stop

Mile 18.6 PM rest stop – water & snacks

Mile 24.8 Overnight Camp, Akhellouf

19:30 Dinner and group briefing

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Saturday 14 October – Trekking Day 2

06:00 Breakfast at the Campsite

07:00 Walkers Start Time

08:30 - 09:00 Joggers/Runners Start Time

Mile 32.9 AM Rest stop – water & snacks

Mile 37.2 Lunch stop

Mile 43.1 PM Rest stop – water & snacks

Mile 49 The Finish Line, Nakhla Dunes

17:30 – 19:00 Coach from Finish Line to Hotel Riad Salam, Zagora

20:30 Group Dinner

Sunday 15 October – Marrakech

06:30 Breakfast at the hotel

07:30 Coach transfer to Marrakech (8 hours)

18:30-19:00 Check in to Hotel El Andalous, Marrakech

20:00 Celebration Dinner

Monday 16 October – Return Home

06:00 Breakfast at the hotel

07:00 Transfer to Marrakech Menara Airport (approx 15 minutes)

10:25 Stansted flight departs

10:45 Luton flight departs

14:05 Flight FR3557 arrives at Stansted Airport

14:20 Flight FR3507 arrives at Gatwick Airport

ALL Land Only participants must fill out the Flight and Transfer Form ahead of departure by clicking below if you wish to

travel on the group transfer for the airport on the morning of the 16th October. You can take the transfer at no extra cost

- but you MUST book this transfer or you will not be able to get on the coach. You can book this through the form below.

LAND ONLY: Click here to fill out the Flight and Transfer Form >>>

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ACCOMMODATION

You may have requested to share with another participant on your

registration form, or paid for the ‘single supplement’ option – and

this will apply for your tent & hotel room. All others will be on a

twin share basis, matched with someone of similar age and sex.

The hotels will have a swimming pool – so don’t forget to bring a

swimsuit if you wish to go for a dip in the pool (time allowing!).

Thursday – 12 October – Hotel Tichka Salam, Ouarzazate

Friday – 13 October – Overnight Camp, Akhellouf

Saturday – 14 October – Hotel Riad Salam, Zagora

Sunday – 15 October – Hotel El Andalous, Marrakech

Camp site facilities:

Bedouin style camping

Basic facilities & isolated location – drinking water & toilets available

There will be limited warm showers – for a 2 minute shower each – bring a small travel towel!

2 man shared tents, unless a single supplement has been requested & paid

Inflatable roll mats and tents are provided, you will need to bring a travel pillow and sleeping bag

There will be one dining area with seating and tables

An open surgery will be available each evening with our Doctors for first aid / medical issues

There will be daylight for most of the day, but will get dark after 7:30pm with the sun rising again around 6am

Make sure you bring a head torch as it will be needed at the campsite

There’s no facility to charge phones or other electrical devices, so bring a portable battery and a charging device

(solar powered) if you are an avid phone or I-Pod user!

FOOD

The food served on the challenge will be both nutritious and varied – and

ideal for an event of this nature. Please note, we will only be able to cater for

dietary requirements that we have been made aware of in advance. We also

recommend that you bring with you any of your favourite snacks (chocolate

will probably melt!) & energy supplies to help you along the way. Electrolytes

to add into your water are a great idea to ensure you stay hydrated during

the challenge and you are replacing salts that you will sweat out during the

day.

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THE ROUTE

Our route takes us along the spectacular Drâa Valley, covering a

distance of nearly two marathons past ancient mud- brick villages and

fortresses, dry mountain plateaus, lush desert oases, camels and

sand dunes. This will be a real test of stamina and adaptability from

the start all the way to the finish line, two days later. This is no walk

in the park – the scenery will be awe inspiring but you will need grit

and determination to complete it in challenging heat.

We have both walkers and joggers/runners taking part in this

challenge and we will have a 2nd start each morning for those looking

to run/jog the challenge – we ask walkers that you allow those

jogging/ running to pass when they are close – although the trail is wide mostly.

You can view the route plotted on Google Maps here: goo.gl/KmcGYQ

Final route GPX files are also available to download one week before the challenge. You will also be given a map as you

begin the challenge and we ask that you keep this with you at all times.

SAFETY ON THE ROUTE

Emergency Control Procedures

1 week prior to departure we will email you the Contact Details of our Event Management Team should you need to

contact them during the Challenge for an emergency or for any other reason.

Signage

The trail will be marked with pink flags / markers where it’s required. You will be required to walk in groups of 3 or more

at all times, and we will have guides along the trail who can walk with if you wish. It is your responsibility to stay on the

route – and at times will require close attention to signage markers to ensure you are on track.

Dropping Out

If you need to drop out of the Challenge, do so at one of the rest stops as there will be limited vehicle coverage of the

route unless in absolute emergencies. You will need to inform the rest stop team that you wish to drop out – and you

will then be driven to the night’s campsite or hotel to rest. If you drop out on the second day of the Challenge, you will

be driven to the finish line. In genuine and serious medical emergencies, if a vehicle is unable to reach you, would

require a helicopter - so make sure this is covered on your insurance.

Cut-Off Times

Will be enforced from the lunch stops onwards on both days. You are expected to walk at a minimum pace of 4km per

hour – and therefore complete the first day within about 14 hours, including rest stops & lunch. If you are unable to do

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so, you may be driven forward to the next rest stop or finish. Please respect the Event Manager’s decision – as this is for

the safety of you and the group. Your pace on the first day will determine your start time on the second day.

The Heat & Your Feet!

We estimate that the weather in this part of Morocco in

October during the day can reach up to 30 degrees - and

this presents many challenges for both your feet and also

your general welfare whilst tackling a challenge of this

nature. We highly recommend you wear breathable trail

shoes/ trainers – and that you bring at least 3 pairs of socks

per day to change into. Lightweight running/ walking socks

are best – not thick/ heavy ones you may usually wear for

trekking. Last year many underestimated the effect that the

heat would have on their feet as they are likely to swell and therefore you need to ensure that your shoes have enough

room in them to allow for this. Lightweight gaiters are a great idea also to prevent small stones from getting into your

shoes – which will cause general irritation and discomfort.

You will need to stay cool during the day and hydrated – heat exhaustion and sun stroke can develop quickly and are

extremely serious – therefore it is mandatory for all challengers to have with them a hat, a camel pack/ hydration

bladder or water bottles to carry at least 2L, and sun cream of factor 30spf+. We also recommend that you bring along

with you a lightweight shirt to cover your shoulders/arms.

At night the temperature will drop and be much cooler – so you will need to bring warm layers.

First Aid

Medics will be available at rest stops & walking at the back for first aid. UK Doctors will also be on hand at the rest stops,

and at the overnight camp. You must bring with you your own First Aid kit – in particular blister plasters and tape –

whilst our medics will have a full event medical kit – this will be for more serious issues and you must come self-

prepared.

EVENT RULES

Below is a selection of the main event rules / guide lines – and are in place to keep all participants safe during

the event

You must carry a mobile phone. This is an essential part of the emergency response process.

You must have your event pass on you at all times – from meeting at the airport at the start of the event.

All participants must remain in a minimum of groups of 3 at all times.

All participants are expected to complete the entire distance each day.

All participants must respect any cut-off times. Anyone who fails to respect the decision of the Management

Team foregoes the right to receive services from the organiser and will bear the cost of any subsequent search

and rescue.

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All participants must carry the clothing and equipment stipulated on the kit list. There will be a kit check and

anyone without the correct clothing and equipment will not be allowed to start the event.

Your main luggage (to travel between camps) is limited to a maximum of 15kg.

All walking participants must remain behind the front marker guide and in-front of the back marker guide. All

runners and joggers will not be guided, but will be expected to remain in groups of 3 as a minimum.

You are responsible for carrying out and disposing of any litter (including toilet paper) in the bins at the

overnight camps.

All participants must have signed the medical declaration, and hold valid and appropriate Travel Insurance.

DON’T FORGET...

Below is a quick check list to make sure you have all the key things ready for the Challenge.

Money – The Moroccan Dirham is officially a closed currency, so can rarely be purchased outside of the country.

You can change money on arrival into the airport, or at the hotel. Credit and debit cards are accepted at most

upmarket shops, restaurants and hotels - make sure you inform your bank that you plan to travel to Morocco

before you leave.

Clothing – wear your gear that (and running/walking shoes) on the plane or have them in your carry on rucksack

Kit Check & Weigh Your Bag – you must have the correct kit – and that your main luggage does not exceed

15kg.

Important Documents – Passport and copies of your Travel Insurance are both a MUST!

Phone – make sure your phone is unlocked and will work in Morocco before you go – coverage is good.

Update Your Details – if you haven’t done so already make sure we have all of your updated Personal Details!

Join our Facebook Page – this is a dedicated page for our Challengers, and the place to go for all the latest

updates and to meet fellow team mates. You can join by clicking here.

Plan your Travel – Check train, driving & journey times. It’s your responsibility to get to the airport on time!

WHAT NEXT…

In the coming month you can expect to receive from us…

12th September – Online Briefing by our Team

By 1st October – Your Registration Pack arrived in the post to the

address you registered with!

1 Week to Go – Final Email - Route GPX files & Emergency Contact List

Best of luck with all your preparations, we hope this Final Guide has been useful. If you have any questions that you dont

think were answered here, just e-mail in to info@thesaharanchallenge.com and the team will be able to help.