Leg Six--The Second Marathon

The final marathon of the 21st edition of the Rallye Aïcha des Gazelles takes the 220 female participants through what is probably the most difficult leg of this year's often grueling contest.

It is challenging enough for the team's navigators, who have few landmarks to work with and paths blocked by mounds of sand. The Gazelles have limited ways around these mogul-like heaps of desert dirt.

It is a dance of twisting, turning vehicles maneuvering around the bends of the Draa Oued--a once-dynamic source of flowing water, now a dry riverbed. The old waterless waterway, still presents a menace to the 110 teams trying to reach the finish line.

Although the dunes in the Draa Oued only hit heights of two or three meters, they are situated so close together over a long distance, it is as if the sand creates waves. The drivers of each team must ride the crest of the dunes to keep from getting stuck in between the knolls. Over them is the quickest way, and for this leg, time is the key--not distance.

The only greater impediment would be a sandstorm... So, of course, that's what the Gazelles wake to the first morning of this second marathon leg. The sand pelts the teams as they pack their tents. Ski masks and cheichs are the order of the day.

Undaunted by hurtling sand, these adventurous women head for the Chegaga Dunes. There, after spending their last night under the stars, away from the luxuries of the bivouac, the Gazelles wake to finish what is left of the 241 kilometers (about 150 miles) of their last two-day marathon.

It looks like Emily Miller and Armelle Medard will podium at the closing ceremonies in Essaouira tomorrow. They never faltered from their top-three ranking at the outset. After arriving at the bivouac today, the only U.S.-French team among this year's Gazelles secures a second-place finish. Bravo, Team 109!

Amy Lerner and Tricia Reina finish in 55th place in the overall rankings. And their performance has certainly epitomized the Gazelle Spirit. Plagued by vehicle difficulties, even illness, the last several days, Team 107 never quit. They never even slowed down--except to grab their shovels and help dig out fellow Gazelles.

When their Hummer H3 fell on hard times with the loss of both traction control and the use of four-wheel-drive low, these two determined participants looked for workarounds. Even a non-working ABS braking system didn't deter the two Long Island natives.

As the Gazelles return to the bivouac and cross the finish line in Foum-Zguid, the celebration begin. The wine flows freely, and African music fills the air. Fireworks explode across the sky, competing with the brightness of the Moroccan starscape.

For the organizers and tireless staff, a collective sigh of relief. For the Gazelles, a bit of melancholy as the intensity of the past days winds down, and they prepare to return to the realities of everyday life.

The official finish and closing ceremonies in Essaouira tomorrow will cement the conclusion of this awesome event, but the camaraderie of the competition and the friendships formed during the sand-blown, heat-infused days in the Sahara will go on. Perhaps for some, they'll pick up where they left off next year. Will Team Lerner Reina be among them? Who knows!

I have no doubt, though, that Rod Hall champion driver Emily Miller will be back. For now, on to the party... and the final drive to Essaouira!

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