4 deserts and RacingThePlanet
The 4 Deserts is a global series of seven-day, 250-kilometer (155 mile) self-supported footraces in the driest, hottest, coldest and windiest places on Earth – The Gobi Desert of China, the Atacama Desert of Chile, the Sahara Desert of Egypt and Antarctica. The events attract competitors from around the world and have become the most prestigious global outdoor event in the world. Organizers provide water, tents and bathing facilities each night but everyone is expected to carry their own food and other essential items. This year, three individual competitors set out to tackle all four legs in the same year. Only two remain – A South African and an American.
Hala Youssef (40 years old) is competing in the Sahara Race with her Egyptian team to raise funds for the Bedouins of Sinai. They are the first local team from Egypt ever to take part in the race. It is hoped that by reaching their fundraising target of $2000 they will be able to build two remote shelters in St. Katherine’s, South Sinai for Bedouins to receive basic medical services. The funds will also be used to train two Bedouin women in providing assistance and to buy simple medications to treat over 200 people.
The race starts on Sunday, 26th October and Hala needs to reach her fundraising target by 23rd October.
Good luck to Hala but just for the record, Amr Shannon and Maryclaire Beuchat were the first Egyptians to join that race in 2005.