Run the Rann 2015

Imagine going for a run and enjoying a view like this? Lucky old me will be doing exactly that in a weeks time.

Last year days before beginning my 2000km run across South Africa I was asked if I would be interested in taking part in Run the Rann new 161km race in India – you can imagine my excitement,  but at the time I wasn’t able to get my head around making a decision like that as all I could think about was how I was going to cope with the next 32 days of running.

However, once safely back in the UK I was contacted again and immediately accepted this most amazing opportunity to run in an wonderful location, have an adventure and of course run 100 miles – what more could a girl want?

Run the Rann took place for the first time last year with three separate distances, 21km 42, 101km and this year they have added the 161km event.  The race takes place in the Great Rann of Kutch which according to Wikipedia is a seasonal salt marsh located in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India and the Sindh province of Pakistan. It is about 7,505.22 square kilometres in size and is reputed to be the largest salt desert in the world. “Rann” comes from the Hindi word meaning “Desert”

As well as running over salt marshes, unforgiving cacti (could be painful!) we may encounter a few creatures like the giant monitor lizard and black cobras – did I tell you I don’t like snakes!

I don’t believe it will be too technical which is fantastic for me as it’s not my forte, it’s actually a relatively flat course which is something I’m not too bad at.  To make everything even more interesting the 101 and 161km events won’t be marked, each competitor will have to carry a GPS, thankfully I had a lot of practice using one in South Africa so hopefully that should help (a bit!)

To keep me moving forward the 1st Aid Station is at the Pink Temple, Bhanjada Dada Temple – marvellous!

Last time I visited India was back in 2004 when I did the Himalayan 100 staged race, now that was hilly but I absolutely loved it and know that this race will be just as special and beautiful.

Run the Rann kicks off on the 7th February at about 7am (local time) and according to the RD Gael Couturier “its only a race for the Strongest runner” – Lets hope I’m one of the lucky people to finish.

Happy Training.