Marathon des sables, or mds, french for marathon of the sands, also known as sahara marathon is a sixday, 251 km 156 mi ultramarathon, which is approximately the distance of six regular marathons. Damian hall is an outdoor journalist and gb trailultra runner. Video report by itv news sports reporter will mott. A team of experts will condition jamess body to scientific perfection as he takes on the marathon des sables. Barkley 100 worlds most difficult and bizarre sporting event. James cracknell hits back at wife beverley as he denies. Cracknell was appointed obe for services to sport in the 2004 new year honours list. For more blog news and updates how charlie shepherd is preparing for marathon des sables visit epic morocco uk. About 1,000 people from all over the world compete in the marathon des sables, which changes route each year. Cracknell crossed the line 12th in 2010 after numerous health scares throughout the event. Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available. James cracknell achieved a staggering 12th place finish over a longer and some would argue, harder course and that was with a broken bone in his foot. James cracknell is running the marathon des sables, dubbed the toughest footrace on earth, covering approximately 150 miles of the sahara desert in. As james embarks on the final days of the marathon des sables, his training is put to the test.
One of my commissions was to supply images for discovery tv as they were filming james during this years race for a scientific programme analysing how the body reacts under such pressure in the. This multiday race is held every year in southern morocco, in the sahara desert. James cracknell runs for the wire in the marathon des sables sport. The 35th edition of marathon des sables will take place from april 3 to, 2020, an opportunity to remember 35 years of the legendary desert race in pictures. He was married to tv and radio presenter beverley turner, he and his wife have three children. I first met james at the bivouac on the marathon des sables, also known as the mds. Former olympic rower competes in 156mile race through desert strapped up for scientific tests on how the body fares in extreme conditions. It is the toughest footrace on earth discovery channel. James cracknell is a cofounder of threshold sports, the company behind the race to the stones a new 100km fully supported route along the ridgeway, britains oldest path. At one point was the highest british finisher ever in the marathon des sables and has a history of endurance challenges and achievements to rival almost anyone. Touching distance james cracknell, beverley turner on.
Toughest race on earth with james cracknell discovery uk. In 2010 he completed the marathon des sables, which consists of the. Some would agree it is more impressive for someone with that build and. James edward cracknell, obe born 5 may 1972 is a british athlete, rowing champion and double olympic gold medalist and prospective conservative party politician. It is the story of a marriage, of a family and of one mans fight back to be the best husband and father he can be.
Documentaries about marathon des sables toughest race on earth with james cracknell double olympic gold medalist james cracknell pushes his body to an extreme level in pursuit of an mds top 50 place. Mohamad ahansal marathon des sables champ video interview. James cracknell is running the marathon des sables, dubbed the toughest footrace on earth, covering approximately 150 miles of the sahara desert in morocco over six days to raise money for mencap. James cracknell was running in the marathon des sables to show his support for the royal british legion. This is the only official facebook page for james cracknell. Documentary following british adventurer and olympic gold medal rower james cracknell as he competes in the marathon des sables in morocco. It was raf veteran duncan slaters second attempt at the sixday marathon des sables in the sahara. Since retiring from team gb in 2004, cracknell has rowed across the atlantic, raced to the south pole and finished higher than any other briton in the marathon des sables a punishing sixday. I had a nice barbecue that evening, went to bed, woke up in the morning and, i went on a run then came back in and everyone was watching the james cracknell marathon des sables documentary. In october 2011 james cracknell, twotime olympic goldmedal rower and one of the greatest endurance athletes the world has ever known. Married to tv and radio presenter beverley turner, he and his wife have three children.
James cracknell has announced a longterm partnership with the great west run, the longrunning and popular halfmarathon staged annually in the heart of exeter and the surrounding countryside. The 2000 and 2004 olympic coxless four gold medallist has also achieved one of the highest finishing positions by a british runner at the gruelling sixday, 156 mile marathon des sables ultra marathon desert race in south africa. There is nothing more important than training before the race to ensure the highest condition of your feet during the race. Mds is a truly gruelling multistage adventure through a mythical landscape in one of the worlds most inhospitable environments the sahara desert. The james cracknell triology three films about one mans endurance. Touching distance is an extraordinary, honest and powerful account as james and his wife bev confront for the first time the lasting effects that the accident has had on their lives.
It has been regarded as the toughest foot race on earth. In 1984 patrick bauer a french concert promoter decided to set out for an epic walk. Would you consider running the marathon des sables. James cracknell explains what the marathon des sables is and what conditions you have to endure in order to succeed. If so, are there any questions youd like to be covered in a book about it. James cracknell is running the marathon des sables, dubbed the toughest footrace on earth. James cracknell is an inspirational speaker of the highest order. The double olympic gold medallist became eligible to. Not long ago i stumbled across a terrific documentary about cracknells experiences at the marathon des sables, a brutal multistage footrace across the sahara. James edward cracknell, obe born 5 may 1972 is a british athlete, rowing champion and double olympic gold medalist. Do not forget that training is the best and only way of improving your chances of completing the race and building up your stamina. How strictlys james cracknell overcame brain damage with injections, exercise and beetroot pills.
But will he complete the deadly marathon des sables. James cracknells wife beverley turner reveals why their. James cracknell, british rower and adventurer, competed in the 2010 race and became the highest placing briton to ever compete in the race, finishing 12th. Watch toughest race on earth with james cracknell prime video. A former olympic gold medallist who formed a key part of the rowing dream team alongside the likes of sir steve redgrave and matthew pinsent cbe, he has also journeyed around the world, testing himself in some of the harshest conditions and with some of the most challenging feats, including a televised 2008 south pole expedition. James cracknell got two olympic gold medals in rowing and has won the rowing world championships six times. James cracknell runs for the wire in the marathon des sables this article is more than 10 years old former olympic rower competes in 156mile race through desert strapped up for scientific tests. Working with a team of expert performance scientists, james cracknell prepares to run 250km across the moroccan sahara desert. Sir ranulph, a former british army officer, is doing most of his. How strictlys james cracknell overcame brain damage with. James cracknell is running the marathon des sables, dubbed the toughest footrace on earth, covering approximately 150 miles of the sahara. Marathon des sables, or mds is a sixday, 251 km 156 mi ultramarathon, which is. James cracknell marathon des sables race day 3 telegraph.
Known for being the ultimate test of human endurance, the race which takes in a gruelling 250 km across the sahara desert in temperatures reaching up to 50 degrees celsius tests even the toughest athletes to their limit and beyond. James cracknell is making a dramatic return to rowing by becoming the oldest ever competitor in the oxfordcambridge boat race. The great west run will see over 3000 runners of all levels take to the streets of exeter city centre, running a. James cracknell obe speaker, british rowing champion and. After james cracknells boat race victory, his wife beverley gives a raw insight into how he put his ambitions before his family, his alpha male obsessions and the snapping. He hadnt been training for mds for long, his body is built for rowing. James cracknell begins the marathon des sables telegraph.
James cracknell runs for the wire in the marathon des sables. Racing the sahara episode 2 by juan antonio dominguez. Double leg amputee completes 156mile marathon des sables. Cracknell was appointed obe for services to sport in the 2005 new year honours list. James cracknell proud to have made cambridge team for. James cracknell, 46, has hit back at claims by his estranged wife beverley that his training to compete for cambridge in the boat race is the reason their marriage ended.
Book james cracknell olympian and adventurer gordon. Discovery ch toughest race on earth with james cracknell duration. With no ben fogle bromance to sustain him this time round, you had to worry for james cracknell in toughest race on earth with james cracknell discovery. From ernest shackleton to chrissie wellington im a sucker for endurance adventure and endurance sport stories. Did james cracknell run the perfect marathon analysis. He placed 15th and was part of the secondplaced team at the 2017 marathon des sables, after only five weeks training and is grateful to contours trail running holidays for the place. Trail running and ultra running documentaries youtube. Sir ranulph fiennes in marathon des sables record bid.
1159 200 1434 189 1354 1217 1361 562 486 577 554 944 1061 1055 880 816 198 519 222 619 1484 1547 122 375 469 1213 264 1052 685 538 941 1141 621 227 1276 762 1086 507 1186 1052 130 1202 1395 349 709 1460 1381