the essential
Usually, it was Aurélie who followed her restless husband on his various races, trails and other marathons. This time, it was she who decided to lead Benoît into a crazy bet. Three days of running in the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan.
Aurélie and Benoît Fournes, a couple from Chauriens, registered for the marathon des sables, which took place last May in Jordan. A timeless event in breathtaking settings. Located in the south of Jordan, the Wadi Rum desert presents its contrasts, canyons, caves and natural arches, simply grandiose landscapes. “I put myself in sherpa mode for once, following Aurélie,” says Benoît, smiling.
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An adventure in the desert
The adventurous couple took off from Toulouse towards Istanbul for a stopover, before completing the air journey to Amman, the Jordanian capital. A hundred-kilometer raid in total food autonomy awaited them. More than 30 degrees during the day, and a temperature which dropped to 6 degrees at night when the two athletes took a little rest, in tents, in Spartan conditions. “For a good restorative shower, we had to wait until the end of the race,” said the couple.
Initially, each participant was provided with eight liters of water, not a drop more. Despite the drought and the sandy plains as far as the eye can see, Aurélie and Benoît, motivated as ever, did not give in. The objective was to finish the marathon, which is already a great sporting achievement, and the two Chauriens achieved it. After the effort, they offered themselves a little respite by indulging in tourism with a visit to the troglodyte city of Petra, built in a sandstone massif by the Edomites in the 8th century. A place which was classified as a UNESCO world heritage site in 1985. “Unforgettable images” for Benoît Fournes, whose eyes still shine when he talks about this visit. It is also evident that the hotel’s jacuzzi, once the marathon was over, was very appreciated by the 550 participants, more than half of whom were women (55%).
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An adventure “engraved for life”
What will remain of this expedition? Without any hesitation, Aurélie and Benoît respond: “This adventure will remain engraved in us for life. We met extraordinary people and found a magnificent understanding between professionals and amateurs like us. And then, what joy to be a little cut off from our world We are ready to leave in 2025, in Jordan or Peru, or why not at the “Mds Legendary” of 240 kilometers in Morocco.
And among the pre-race meetings, a surprise with the presence of a third Chaurien, the pharmacist Jacques Sanfourche who also enjoyed this week at the pace of the desert.
100 km of sand
The Fournes family chose the 100 kilometer version, divided into three stages, 30 kilometers on the first day, 40 on the second and 30 to finish. Rather difficult efforts since, under the runners’ feet, the tracks were composed of approximately 60 to 70% sand and only 30% of slightly harder earth. Sand under your feet and a blazing sun on your head, a competition that requires a huge dose of courage and tenacity.
