Leg Five--The First Marathon

Marathon legs of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles are no picnic--or are they? The Gazelles have no hot showers during the two-day marathons, no dining tent, no mechanics to repair or pamper their vehicles overnight.

Yet these temporary nomads, especially the more experienced ladies among them, know how to pack for this great rally tradition. Many bring along their favorite delicacies to share for the occasion: good wine, foie gras, cheese, and more.... Huh. And I thought it was going to be all French army rations from a can. Who knew?

It isn't just gourmet eating, though. During the two challenging days, the Gazelles plunge through a series of rough rocky desert valleys dusted with sand so fluid the wind scoops it and sculpts it into what can only be described as mini waves.

With shade a rarity on the first marathon route, the merciless sun of the Sahara makes the participants almost giddy at the sight of any Acacia trees. These perennial plants seem to be the only living thing that can resist the relentless heat radiating from every surface.

Amy Lerner and Tricia Reina continue to display an admirable fighting spirit. Many first-timers let the formidable opponent of the desert terrain hold them back. Not these two gals. Though their penalty points add up during this marathon leg, Team 107 does not let the tight, high mountains and steep valleys of the first day, or the combination of dunes and open terrain the second, dampen their determination to face this foe on their terms.

Solidly hitting six checkpoints over the two-day sojourn, they have their share of awkward moments out there, but they handle it with aplomb. "The loss of traction control made it very difficult," Lerner says. "So we analyzed the number of kilometers versus the amount of daylight and created a strategy that got us home safely."

The overall rankings now show Team 107 in 48th place. They know the risks, and for them, they are worth taking. These ladies give new meaning to the phrase, "Go for it!"

Meanwhile, Emily Miller and her über-skilled navigator Armelle Medard seem to raise the bar daily. At the end of Leg Five, the first of the rally's two marathon legs, Team 109 is comfortably holding second place overall, despite overheating issues with their Hummer H3.

After hitting all 17 checkpoints in the marathon leg, Miller Medard's Hummer got some welcome attention from the mechanics upon returning to the bivouac. (On the next page, read about the miracle-working mechanics who plug away tirelessly on the vehicles brought to them each night as the Gazelles sleep.)

Both Team 109 and Team 107 were provided their H3s by Paul Chedid Automotive of France. And it appears the team at Paul Chedid did a terrific job prepping these vehicles to sustain the rigors of this awesome adventure.

"The Hummer is the most comfortable vehicle I have competed in," says Medard. "It makes all the difference. I am less tired."

Good thing, too, since apparently she and teammate Miller do a lot of laughing while out cruising the Moroccan desert.

"Armelle is a first-class navigator," Miller says of her co-pilot. "She is also incredibly focused and determined. She is also hysterically funny!"

But what is it really like spending all this time together? When asked separately, Medard said, "I am honored to navigate with Emily. We laugh a lot."

What say you, Miller? "Armelle is now more than my co-pilot, she is my friend. We laugh a lot."

And when things go wrong, after their initial reaction... you guessed it, they laugh harder.

Another marathon will lead the Gazelles through the final kilometers of this unique contest. At the other end, those who remain will carry their tired, sputtering, limping, dust-filled selves (and that's just the media) to Essaouira for the closing ceremonies.

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