La Course du Désert
| Runners at the start line of the 1734 AN race. | |
| Native name |
La Carrera del Desierto (Martino) Chaki Allpa Llaqta (Wechua) |
|---|---|
| English name | The Desert Race |
| Date | Annually since 1692 AN |
| Venue | Baatharz Desert |
| Location |
 Alduria, Nouvelle Alexandrie |
| Type | Ultramarathon |
| Organised by | Fédération Athlétique de Nouvelle Alexandrie |
| Filmed by | NBC |
| Participants | 1,200+ (as of 1734 AN) |
| Distance | 260 kilometers |
| Course Record (Men) | Tupaq Yupanqui (WEC) - 21:45:00 (1705 AN) |
| Course Record (Women) | Maria Solís (ALD) - 23:12:00 (1734 AN) |
La Course du Désert (Alexandrian) is an annual multi-day ultramarathon held in the Baatharzi Desert region of Alduria, Nouvelle Alexandrie. Known in Martino as La Carrera del Desierto and in Wechua as Chaki Allpa Llaqta, the race covers 260 kilometers across six stages through one of Nouvelle Alexandrie's most challenging desert environments. Participants must carry all their personal supplies except water and shelter, making it one of the most demanding self-sufficiency races in Micras.
History
The race originated from a near-tragic event in 1690 AN when Aldurian endurance athlete Marc-Antoine Beaufort became lost in the desert during what was intended to be a routine training run. After surviving three days alone with minimal supplies, Beaufort emerged with both a profound respect for the desert's challenges and a vision for an organized competition that would test athletes' self-sufficiency and endurance in this harsh environment.
The inaugural race in 1692 AN drew a modest field of 23 participants, predominantly from Alduria's ultrarunning community, with only seven athletes completing the full course. The event gained international recognition in 1695 AN when Natopian ultra-runner Elizabeth Moonflower not only completed the course but set a remarkable time that would stand as the women's record for eight years. By 1700 AN, participation had swelled to over 1,000 runners, including significant contingents from Raspur Pact nations.
Race Format
The competition unfolds over seven days, comprising six distinct stages that test different aspects of endurance and desert navigation skills. The signature fourth stage, known as "La Grande Marche" in Alexandrian or "La Gran Marcha" in Martino, spans 82.2 kilometers and often determines the overall standings. The complete stage structure consists of: Stage 1 (30.3 km), Stage 2 (38.5 km), Stage 3 (37.7 km), Stage 4 (82.2 km), Stage 5 (42.2 km), and Stage 6 (29.1 km). The Federal Military Medical Corps maintains comprehensive medical support throughout the course, with mandatory health checks at each checkpoint. However, requiring medical attention beyond basic first aid typically results in automatic withdrawal from the competition.
Equipment and Support
The Fédération Athlétique de Nouvelle Alexandrie plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining equipment standards for the race. Mandatory equipment includes a regulation backpack, desert-rated sleeping bag, emergency flare system, National Qullqa System-certified anti-venom pump, compass, survival blanket, salt tablets, head torch with backup power, and sufficient food to provide a minimum of 2,000 calories per day. Race organizers provide water at checkpoints approximately every 10 kilometers and communal shelter in traditional Babkhi desert tents during overnight stays.
Course and Environment
The race traverses the southeastern Baatharz Desert, incorporating diverse terrain including ancient dune systems, rocky plateaus, and dry river valleys. Temperatures routinely exceed 45°C during daylight hours while plunging near freezing after sunset. The route, while modified annually for both safety and challenge, always includes several iconic landmarks: Les Piliers de Baatharz (ancient stone formations), Wadi Al-Hayat (Alduria's largest dry riverbed), Les Dunes Rouges d'Azahari, and Les Salines de Nouradin.
Notable Incidents
The 1696 AN Race Suspension remains the most significant disruption in the event's history. During Stage 4, an unprecedented sandstorm engulfed the course, forcing the evacuation of 876 participants to emergency shelters by the Federal Forces of Nouvelle Alexandrie. The eighteen-hour suspension led to comprehensive revisions of safety protocols, including mandatory GPS tracking for all participants.
The 1705 AN race witnessed a historic breakthrough when Wechua athlete Tupaq Yupanqui shattered the course record, completing the distance in 21 hours and 45 minutes. His revolutionary strategy of night running during the long stage, inspired by traditional Wechua messenger practices, has become standard among elite competitors.
Economic Impact
The race generates approximately 35 million New Alexandrian écu annually for the Baatharz region through tourism and associated services. Local communities, particularly those of Babkhi heritage, have developed a thriving industry producing specialized desert running equipment that incorporates traditional desert survival techniques. The event has become a crucial driver of economic development in what was historically one of Alduria's most economically challenged regions.
Cultural Significance
La Course du Désert has evolved into a cornerstone of New Alexandrian sporting culture. Successful completion carries significant prestige, particularly within the nation's athletic community. The event has inspired numerous cultural works, including the acclaimed documentary "Sept Jours dans le Feu" (Alexandrian) or "Siete Días en el Fuego" (Martino), released in 1708 AN.
The race's environmental impact is managed through the Fédération Athlétique de Nouvelle Alexandrie, which coordinates with the Department of Energy and Environment to fund desert ecosystem research and conservation initiatives. This partnership has contributed significantly to understanding and preserving the unique Baatharz Desert environment.
Champions
| Year | Men's Champion | Women's Champion |
|---|---|---|
| 1692 | Marc-Antoine Beaufort (ALD) | No female finishers |
| 1693 | Jean-Paul Mercier (ALD) | Sarah Blackwood (NAT) |
| 1694 | Karim Al-Rashid (CON) | Sarah Blackwood (NAT) |
| 1695 | Thomas Laurent (ALD) | Elizabeth Moonflower (NAT) |
| ... | ... | ... |
| 1734 | Tupaq Yupanqui (WEC) | Maria Solís (ALD) |
