The Trans 333

As the name implies, the Trans 333 was 333 kilometres long, a running event pure and simple, held in deserts around the world. It was exceptionally long and brutal. Unlike the staged desert races such as the Marathon des Sables the Trans 333 was non-stop. Water was provided, as was food, medical care and a place to sleep in the checkpoints. 

James Henderson of a Life of Adventure ran and wrote about the 2001 race, which was held in Mauritania, running from the town of Ouadane via the dunes to Chinguetti, one of the seven holy cities of Islam, and then to the oasis outside the town of Atar. Read his story published by the Times below.