Running the desert - a 250 km / 160-mile self sufficient footrace across the desert in Jordan

The course of the Sahara Race 2014 takes competitors across 250 kilometers (approximately 155 miles) of stunning desert terrain in the country of Jordan.  Over seven days, competitors will cross four distinct deserts (Wadi Rum, Kharaza, Humaima and Wadi Araba) and finish in the ancient city of Petra. The terrain will vary between sand, sand dunes, dirt / rock track and grasses and navigate canyons, river beds, valleys and local villages in areas seeped in Jordanian culture and history.
The itinerary is as follows

Stage 1	40 kilometers / 25 miles
Stage 2	35 kilometers / 22 miles
Stage 3	35 kilometers / 22 miles
Stage 4	40 kilometers / 25 miles
Stage 5	90 kilometers / 56 miles
Stage 6	5 kilometers / 3.1 miles

The race was amazing. Although it was very cold, much colder than we expected, with even a lot of rain during the first two days, the first two stages were rather uncomfortable for most of us. Because the berber tents are far from waterproof, most of us got soaking wet during our 'sleep'. Starting the first stage, we all were wet, our backpacks were wet, we were cold and miserable. We started running at 8 am for our first marathon for the day and it took till 12 noon till the sun started to warm us up a bit. 

The 2nd stage was a 22-miler and what an amazing course. Just like the other days, the course is stunning....if you like the desert of course and I do...

Stage 5 was the tough one...a total of 56 miles with a rather steep and long climb over the 'old Turkish road'. This part of the course leads over some cool mountain tops and as a matter of fact, one can see Syria.

This was a great stage, long, exhausting and most participants, or at least a large chunk, used the overnight camp halfway to rest for a few hours. I didn't, as I know once I lay down, I wouldn't feel like running another 30 miles. So I kept going and although I got really tired towards mile mark 40, with still 20 miles to go I was able to come in at 7th position after a brutal 56-mile run

Here are photos from all stages