A Hot, Dusty, Tough Privilege

It’s expensive to enter and to buy the extra-light, specialised equipment and food. Even if you disagree with Discovery’s moniker of “the world’s toughest footrace,” it is exceptionally exacting, so you simply have to be in the best condition you can, as lean and strong as possible.

That means many hours invested in different forms of training - for a year - if you want to do it right. It means running with 9kg of dried fruit in your pack, which you’ve got your Mom while she re-stitches your backpack. It means that small children point and stare at your funny shoes and hat.