They worked together at the Lavigny institution in Switzerland, an institution which welcomes people with impaired autonomy and health. It is there that Sandrine Jouaux and Cynthia Manzoni from Foncine-le-Haut, as well as Karele Dath, from Prévonloup in Switzerland, met. From this meeting a crazy project was born: that of participating in the Trek’in Gazelles in the heart of the Moroccan desert.
And that’s how, from November 11 to November 14, all three competed in the fourth edition of the Trek’in Gazelles alongside 144 teams of three women.
A 100% feminine adventure
This sporting event is an itinerant walking journey of nearly 100 km. It is a 100% female event, in complete disconnection which advocates a return to basics (telephone, computer, GPS are prohibited). The organizers encourage respect for the planet and the protection of biodiversity by proposing in particular the cleaning operation “Clean Walkers of the Desert”: the participants’ mission is to collect all the waste found in their path.
The adventure, as wonderful as it is, is also particularly sporty. For a year, Sandrine Cynthia and Karele have been assiduously preparing for this trek, morally and physically, constantly thinking of Khalid Lazrak, a friend of theirs, who died in 2023, who had told them about this incredible adventure.
Sandstorm
The three women arrived in Morocco just after a period of heavy rains after it had not rained for 20 years. Small lakes and vegetation changed the landscape. This meteorological episode was followed by a sandstorm. The wind was blowing between 50 and 60 km/h and made the orientation trek very difficult. Not enough, however, to undermine the motivation of the trio. “We must learn to trust each other and above all have good understanding between us. This experience is based on old-fashioned navigation without GPS and only with a map and compass. We are walking for the French Secours populaire to whom the Maienga agency donates €5 for each beacon we find. The team also supports the Zoé 4 Life association which supports children with cancer, their families and research. It was important to us to be able to talk about pediatric cancer which affects more and more children.”
All three are unanimous: “It was a great experience, surpassing oneself while supporting values of solidarity and hope during this sporting and spiritual adventure where we sometimes walked up to 10 hours a day, enjoying the return to the bivouac. » The three women are fully satisfied with their general ranking 57e and for their first edition they find themselves at the 34e place.
Morocco
