Sahara Marathon 2005

The Marathon will be on February 28, 2005, this year. The U.S., UK, Canadian, Norwegian and any others who wish to join this primarily English speaking contingent, will meet in Madrid on Friday, February 25, and depart from Madrid on Saturday morning, February 26 for Tindouf, Algeria.  (There are other country groups departing from Italy, Germany and Spain that are making other arrangements – any participants are more than welcome to join one of those groups if that is your preference, but everyone is welcome to join the U.S. group). 

You'll meet Jeb Carney in Madrid – Jeb is truly the father of this event, having almost single handedly organized the first three races with the Sahrawi's, to raise awareness of the plight of the Sahrawi people and raise funds for worthwhile projects in the refugee camps. A primary purpose of this event is to continue to broaden the world’s understanding of the history of the Sahrawi people and to build support for their ultimate return to their homeland – the Western Sahara.

You should plan to be in Madrid no later than February 25, Friday. The subway in Madrid is easy to use, clean, and inexpensive – many participants have used it.  This is a good way both to and from the hotel but you can also use a shuttle or cab, if you prefer.

Jeb will meet you in the Hotel Regina Friday afternoon, currently planned for between 2 and 3 p.m., Madrid time, to hand out airline tickets, and handle any last minute issues, answer questions, and explain the logistics for the flight to Tindouf, etc. - it's a great time to find out everything you ever wanted to know about the Western Sahara. Jeb has been to Algerian, the Western Sahara and the camps many times, so he’s the expert on this event! 

Saturday, February 26, is the flight to Tindouf - (god willing). Jeb will see you off to the airport, via subway or cab. Last year, we ended up in Algiers for a day, waiting out a sandstorm - we still made it on Sunday, for the most beautiful day in the desert that could be imagined. Hopefully we'll get to Tindouf, and Smara, on Saturday, this year.

Sunday is a day of registration in Smara for events, looking around the camps, spending time with your new families. Monday, February 28, Marathon Day, and all the other events - everyone should participate in one of the events – marathon, half marathon, 10K, 5K, - they're not to be missed.

Then Tuesday, we plan to depart Smara for Dhakla - returning on Thursday. One night we plan to sleep in the open desert, so bring a sleeping bag and two day’s worth of freeze dried meals – dinner and breakfast/lunch. This will be a highlight of the trip!  The Italians have done this the last three years and have indicated they should be able to cover most, if not all, costs within the 185 Euro logistics fee you will pay on arrival in the camps – they also plan to include all meals. But in talking with Jeb and Mouloud Said, the Western Sahara Ambassador to the U.S., we think it would be good to bring two day’s worth of meals for this leg of the trip. All of these activities are being organized by the Italians, so are subject to some change, but the scenery, hiking, and time in Dhakla will be fantastic.

Since last year, Air Algerie's mid week flights from Tindouf back to Algiers, and on to Madrid, have been eliminated. I know some of you wanted to leave right after the marathon - that won't be possible this year. It's actually a good thing, as the Tuesday to Friday activities are the times that everyone remembers the most. But if you can't stay until Friday, it won't work for you this year, due to the Air Algerie flight changes.

Then Friday, March 4, we leave from Tindouf to Algiers - overnight in Algiers, and on to Madrid on Saturday. We have stayed at the Hotel Mercur and the Hotel Al Djazair – both are very nice hotels – the Al Djazair website is listed at the end of this mailing for your information. You should plan your returns for Sunday from Madrid due to the unpredictability of Air Algerie. If you don't have other hotel plans, stay at the Hotel Regina on Saturday, March 5.

Costs:
Unfortunately, Air Algerie costs have risen 20% again this year - I paid about 350 Euros in 2003, and 420 last year. This year the cost is 500 Euros.

Based on the experience of the last few years and discussion w/ the Italian group (they're the most organized of the countries participating) there will be a 150 Euro registration fee, to cover wire transfers, bank fees, satellite communication costs, etc., etc. - the list goes on and on, and nothing is very big, but the list is endless. The Italians are charging much more for this, as they have credit card fees, etc. - but the U.S. organizing group believes they can cover everything with this.

The above, 650 Euros, is payable when you register, and non refundable, as it's for costs that we will have to pay once you sign up.

If you want to stay in the Hotel Regina in Madrid, that cost will be 60 Euros per person per night - most of you should plan on at least 2 nights - Feb 25, on arrival, and March 5, on arrival from Tindouf back in Madrid. This is for a double room (cost is per person), so the total room cost is 120 Euros for two nights or 240 Euros for two people/two nights. This is also needed upon registration, and non refundable as we will be making confirmed reservations for everyone as they register.

In Algiers, we'll make your hotel reservation but you will pay that on March 4, when you arrive – Visa and Mastercard work fine. That will be between 60 and 70 Euros for a double.

Finally, the 185 Euro fee for the camps will be collected in the camps - you should bring cash for this, which you can get in Madrid at any ATM – ATM’s have the best currency exchange rates. This fee covers all race costs - water, transportation, food, lodging, etc.

For the trip to Dhakla, you should bring one day’s worth of freeze dried meals – REI has great ones, and there are many other sources for these.  The details of this part of the trip are still being worked out with the Italian group but if the past three years are any guide, this will be a grand experience – the trip to Dhakla goes through some of the most unique scenery on the planet and the people in Dhakla will treat you as honored guests. The Italians plan to work out the food and the trip to Dhakla and most other costs within the 185 Euro fee – if this doesn’t cover all the costs, the amount you would be asked to pay for this trip will be very small.

Logistics & Pricing:
Unless you want to make your own or other arrangements, participants should stay at the Hotel Regina, a great hotel in an excellent downtown location for sightseeing, close to the palace, museums and other sights of interest.  With respect to your flight to Madrid, you must arrive February 25 or sooner; take as much time as you can afford to see the sights.  Madrid is a beautiful city, and it will also give you a chance to get your legs under you before the flight to Tindouf on February 26th. 

Participants will meet at the Hotel Regina on February 25 to get your tickets from Madrid to Tindouf (departs February 26 returns March 5). Overnight accommodations at the hotel for February 25 & March 5 will be reserved for each participant and paid in advance.  Reservations will be made for each participant for the overnight stay in Algiers on Friday, March 4. 2005, but must be paid by participants on arrival at the hotel in Algiers.  Registration for the Sahara Marathon is payable in cash (Euros) in the camps the day before the race. 

Following are the primary costs of this trip:

• Hotel in Madrid, February 25 and March 5 – payable upon registration – 60 Euros per night, double – 120 Euros per person for both nights – two to a room.
• Round trip air fare, Madrid to Tindouf, Algeria – 500 Euros, payable upon registration
• US Country Registration Fee – 150 Euros, payable upon registration
• Sahara Marathon – payable in cash in Smara, Algeria on February 27 – 185 Euros.
• Overnight hotel in Algiers, March 4 – payable with Visa/MasterCard (or cash) at the hotel in Algiers – estimated cost:  60 to 70 Euros, double.
• Flight to Madrid – arranged by each participant, to arrive no later than February 25, 2005.  Current cost is approximately $400 to $500 from the East Coast, U.S.

You can pay by check, in U.S. $, or online at Active.com – hit the ‘Individual Sports’ window, then Sahara Marathon in the event window.  You have 2 options – airfare and registration only, or with hotel for 2 nights at the Hotel Regina.  If you have any problems or questions, contact Paul Bender at ‘bender2@verizon.net’.

Deadlines
This is a first come, first served event with a limit on the number of people that can be accommodated through Madrid.  Anyone interested who pays the required registration fees before October 31, 2004, will be guaranteed entry into the events.  Contingent on space still being available, there will be a cutoff of December 31, 2004 for registrations, unless the race organizers, in their sole discretion, are able to work out flight and hotel arrangements for late registrants.

Sleeping Arrangements and Food in the Camps and on the Expedition
Participants in the Marathon will stay in the camps in tents or mud-brick Sahrawi houses – sleeping accommodations are comfortable but one should be prepared to sleep on the floor in blankets or sleeping bag – bring your own sleeping bag.  We anticipate at least one night after the Marathon sleeping in the open desert under the stars in your own sleeping bag. The temperature can drop to 40 degrees F. and perhaps even a bit colder at times at night – bring as small a sleeping bag as possible, to save space.

All food and water is provided while in the camps and for the four days after the races – the Marathon organizers will arrange for food for all participants.

Visas
Visa applications for US participants must be downloaded from the Algerian Embassy website, http://www.algeria-us.org/consular/index.html, and sent with passport by FedEx (two completed applications with original signatures and 2 passport photos, and include your return FedEx completed air bill) to Hon. Moulud Said, 1234 Massachusetts Ave., #423, Washington, D.C. 20005, at (202)347-5629. 

Your passport must be sent by FedEx, including a return FedEx self addressed mailer, to arrive at the above address between January 23 and 31, 2005 to allow ample time to obtain the visa – this is a routine process, but must be completed on this schedule.  This is a critical instruction – Mouloud will take all U.S. passports he has received by January 31 in one batch for visas. Do not send your passport before January 22 or later than January 29. Please Note:  use the Algerian website only to obtain the application form and not to obtain the visa.  If you follow these instructions, you will probably not have to pay the $100 fee Algeria is now charging for visas.  If you have any questions about this process, please email Paul Bender at ‘bender2@verizon.net’.

For all countries other than the U.S., you will need to go through the Algerian Embassy in your country.  Let me know if you have any questions and I will put you in touch with Mouloud Said – he will help you make arrangements for visas through your country’s Algerian embassies.

Luggage
Each participant is limited to one airline approved carryon backpack for the trip to Algeria – you can bring another bag to check at the hotel in Madrid, for your time in Europe. This requirement is due to the extreme space limitations for transportation, in the tents and houses in Smara, and on the Expedition.  This will also significantly enhance your experience, based on the experience of prior trips.  You must adhere to this requirement.

Waiver of Liability All Marathon and Expedition participants are required to submit an original signed waiver form for each participant – if you have more than one participant in your party, you may send one form, but all participants must sign the waiver.  No one will receive their ticket to Tindouf, Algeria or allowed participate in any events without a signed waiver.

Insurance While the event does not require you to buy travel and medical insurance, each participant should strongly consider insurance coverage for these risks.  – you should consider three different types of insurance coverage:

• Medical evacuation insurance – called Medical insurance by most companies.
• Travel insurance – coverage for actual medical services – doctors and hospital costs.
• Trip cancellation and/or delay insurance.

Each participant must waive their rights to hold any person or entity associated with the Sahara Marathon responsible for any of these potential risks, and should buy their own travel and medical insurance to cover these risks.

There are many sources for travel insurance – some of our previous participants recommend ‘www.internationalsos.com’ as a competitive source, although we are not aware of anyone ever filing a claim for coverage, and cannot vouch for the reliability of this company in paying claims. The marathon does not sponsor or recommend any particular insurance company.

Contact Information
Sahara Marathon: 7303 Stafford Road, Alexandria, VA  22307, USA; bender2@verizon.net, (1) 703-721-2998; www.saharamarathon.com

Hotel Regina: c/ Alcala', 19, Madrid 28014; (34)91-521-47-25;

Air Algerie: Gran Via, 67-3, Madrid 28013; (34)91-548-24-26; http://www.airalgerie.dz/

Hotel Al Djazair in Algiers:  http://www.hoteleldjazair.dz/

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