Bored with road races? Think you’ve done it all? Channel your inner bad-ass self and make it to the Sahara Desert. Here you’ll find one of the most challenging and enjoyable races on the planet, The Ultra Mirage El Djerid Desert Race in South Tunisia.
Yes, it’s one of the most extreme desert races, and it’s exclusively organized on the largest salt pan of the Sahara, part of Africa. It is mostly known as the largest hot desert in the world, and the third largest desert overall after Antarctica and the Arctic.
Tozeur is an oasis and a city in south west Tunisia. The city is located north-west of Chott el Djerid, in between this Chott and the smaller Chott el Gharsa. Thanks to its excellence location, it makes an excellent base for longer forays into the surrounding area, including the mesmerizing Chott el Djerid, the Sahara’s largest salt lake, and the mountain oases to the north. Bounded on one side by an enormous palmeraie and with the desolate snow-white expanse of salt on the other, the town feels at once far-flung and urban and lively. And it’s over there, where the Ultra Mirage race takes place, yearly.
Crossing a desert where temperatures can go from 35 degrees Celsius by day to about 20 at night is definitely quite challenging. Here the Ultra Mirage makes it very enjoyable and such a great lind-expanding lifetime experience.
What’s Ultra Mirage Race?
The Ultra Mirage El Djerid is the first 100km Ultra Trail taking place in the stunning Tunisian Sahara desert. A single stage race that takes runners across a wide diversity of terrains, ranging from soft sand, small dunes, rocks, dried river beds, oasis and more of the beauty of the Sahara.
Runners will have 20 hours to finish the race with very specific deadlines to reach each of the five checkpoints which will be between 15-20km apart. Both medical and technical help as well as water supply will be available at each checkpoint.
I run this race every year and I recommend everyone to do it again.
FAKHRI FOURATI – FINISHER UM100k – 2019.
Up for it?
Anyone interested and feels able to do it can get in and experience the terrain firsthand, this race is open to all types of athletes, from professional ultra runners to anyone passionate about ultra trails, with a lot of training of course. You’ll just have to check the details and enroll in this desert challenge. We’ve got the details on the race mentioned below.
ULTRA MIRAGE 100K
- When : Sat. 03 Oct. 2020
- Location: Tozeur/Tunisia
- Start/Finish Line: Star Wars Movie Set/Mos Espa
- Distance*: 100 km
- Max Time 20 hours
- Max Number of Runners : 300
- ITRA Points**: 3
- UTMB qualifier**: Yes
- Check Points: 5 (Hydratation/Medical/Food)
- Hydratation Points: 8
- Prize Money Women (1st, 2nd, 3rd) : 3000 €, 1500 €, 500 €
- Prize Money Men (1st, 2nd, 3rd): 3000 €, 1500 €, 500 €
- Team Option: Yes, for 5 runners
- Difficulty: Advanced
- Mandatory Equipment; Yes
- Doctor Certificate Required: No
- Race Goodies Included: Cap, T-shirt, bag, wrist-band…
- Insurance Included: Yes
- Finisher Prize: Medal & Certificate
TRANSPORT
- Tunis-Tozeur: 01 Oct. 2020 morning
- Tozeur-Tunis: 04 Oct. 2020 afternoon
- Hotel-Start/Finish Line-Hotel: Yes
ACCOMODATION
- Accomodation: 4* Hotel in Tozeur
- Check-in: 01 Oct. 2020
- Check-out: 04 Oct. 2020
- Number of nights: 3
- Single Option: Extra
- Meal Package: All Inclusive
- Beverage Included: No
- PRICE : Euro 415
The above details are for the 2020 edition 100KM. The 2020 race edition provides the 50KM version. For more extra details, for either previous or future editions, head out to the official website of the Ultimate Mirage Race.
FEATURED VIDEO
It’s a good challenge. I like to challenge myself. I think I learned more about myself when I do things that are hard. And it’s also nice to have the British Heart Foundation, it’s nice to know that I am doing it for something good, myself and for other people.
KHALIL BEN-GACEM – YOUNGEST FINISHER UM100k – 2019.
2020 October 3rd Join Ultra Mirage’s Wild Thing 4th Edition 100K and 50K
It has been a real pleasure to see the Ultra Mirage family grow at such fast pace! Runners, athletes, friends, family, sponsors, volunteers, I am really looking forward to seeing you all in October 2020!
Amir Ben Gacem – Founder of the Ultra Mirage Association
If you would like to comment on this article or anything else you have seen on Carthage Magazine, leave a comment below or head over to our Facebook page. You may also message us via this page.
And if you liked this article, sign up for the monthly features newsletter. A handpicked selection of stories from Carthage Magazine, delivered to your inbox.
