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Sahara desert. 150 miles of harsh terain

Racing through the desert

Israeli physicist to represent Israel in 150 mile Sahara Race alongside runners from Lebanon, Iran

For the past eight months Dr. Hezi Yitzhak from Sde Boker has been training for the race of a lifetime, the Sahara Race, kicking off in Egypt next Sunday. As Israel's sole representative, he he will be running a distance of 250 km (150 miles) in the torrid desert and will be living off halva and special energy supplements.

 

Yitzhak, a 48-year old married father of three, has been training for the race for the past eight months. In between training sessions, he teaches high school physics at the Midreshet Ben Gurion and works as a researcher at the Ben-Gurion University's Desert Research Institute. After taking care of three kids and organizing bike trips, he is left with very little spare time.

 

Yitzhak has participated in various marathons and races along the years, but the Sahara Race will serve as the ultimate test for his athletic abilities. He has been trying to train under similar conditions to those he will experience in the Sahara Desert. Each day he runs for two hours in the Negev and last June he ran 180 km from Wadi Rum to Avdat. "It's the best preparation. It's given me an indication as to certain problems that may arise such as 40 degrees Celsius heat and foot sores."

 

On Thursday, after the end of Simchat Torah, Yitzhak will depart for his first stop on the way to the race – Cairo.

 

Security concerns

In addition to the race's physical and mental challenges, Yitzhak is also concerned about being an Israeli man in an Arab country. "I'm not booking a taxi to the hotel in advance. I'd rather order it on the spot," he explained. Yitzhak will be wearing a sponsor's T-shirt with Israel's flag on it. "I fear a security incident," he admitted. "There will be a problem if such a thing occurs. I hope it will be alright."

 

After spending the night in Cairo, Yitzhak will join 156 runners from 36 states, including Lebanon and Iran, at the starting line in Egypt's Fayyum City. For a week he will be running 35 km per day and will be spending his nights in a large tent with 10 other participants. "One of the goals of the race is to form connections and interact socially with the runners."

 

During the race, Yitzhak will be carrying a 10 kg backpack containing his equipment: Two pairs of trousers, three shirts, four pairs of socks, a sleeping bag, toiletry, wet wipes, sunscreen lotion and most importantly - food. "A relative is sending me special high calorie portions from the US, 800 calories per portion," he said. To have a taste of home, he will also be packing some instant soup and halva bars.

 

Yitzhak will also be taking his Golani badge with him. "I was a company deputy commander in the 51st battalion and it reminds me of my service," he explained. "I always take it with me."

 

His goal in the race is to finish somewhere in the middle. "I want to enjoy the scenery, make connections with people, learn and become stronger," he said. "It's important for me to leave a good impression as the sole Israeli representative."

 

Yitzhak also noted he would like to bring the race to the Negev in the future.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 09.28.10, 12:07
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