Saharan Final event guide

Saharan Final event guide 12 th -16 th October 2017

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 18 th 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. 1 P a g e

Delay If you are running late on the day of departure please contact us immediately on the number on your 1 week to go email. 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 Saharan 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 >> 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. 2 P a g e

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 Mile 13.6 Mile 18.6 Mile 24.8 AM rest stop water & snacks Lunch stop PM rest stop water & snacks Overnight Camp, Akhellouf 19:30 Dinner and group briefing Saturday 14 October Trekking Day 2 06:00 Breakfast at the Campsite 07:00 Walkers Start Time 3 P a g e

08:30-09:00 Joggers/Runners Start Time Mile 32.9 Mile 37.2 Mile 43.1 Mile 49 AM Rest stop water & snacks Lunch stop PM Rest stop water & snacks 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 Luton 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 16 th 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 >>> 4 P a g e

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. 5 P a g e

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 2 nd 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 6 P a g e

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 selfprepared. 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. 7 P a g e

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 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. 8 P a g e