Ironman Jangvir Lamba, a 52-year-old Colonel in the Indian Army, successfully completed the 38th edition of the legendary Marathon Des Sables, an ultramarathon held in the Sahara Desert in southern Morocco.
Col Lamba completed the marathon — considered the toughest foot race on earth — in 67 hours and seven minutes. The ultramarathon was held from April 14 to 20. About 900 athletes from 60 countries participated.
Athletes carry their survival gear and traverse a distance of 253.5 km across endless sand dunes, rocky jebels and blistering salt plains.
“The Marathon Des Sables was not just a race; it was a test of endurance — a culmination of years of training and dedication,” said Colonel Lamba. His experience as a triathlete stood him in good stead.
Temperatures in the Saharan desert in southern Morocco reach up to 50 degrees Celsius and the race is more about making the right choices for survival.
Ensuring that you drink enough water (at the camps and aid stations) and your body gets the right minerals (including enough salt) is as much as part of the winning technique as running.
While physical fitness is the key to completing it, participants also have to focus on mental fitness and making the right decision at the right place – for instance, while running in the salt plains and walking in the dunes.