They Ran Across Africa

The Sahara, in northern Africa, is the world's largest desert. Temperatures can rise above 100ºF during the day and dip below freezing at night. Strong winds and sandstorms make it hard to see and breathe. Crossing the Sahara by any means is a challenge. But doing it all on foot, sometimes running 50 miles a day, seemed impossible--until now.

Three super-athletes ran more than 4,000 miles across the desert in 111 days. They completed their amazing race on February 20, becoming the first runners in modern times to cross the Sahara. Their route took them through six countries (see map). "This has been a life-changing event," says runner Charlie Engle, who is from Greensboro, North Carolina.

Engle ran with Ray Zahab, a Canadian, and Kevin Lin, who is from Taiwan. All are experienced athletes. A film crew trailed the men in four-wheel-drive vehicles, documenting the journey.

The team had a second goal: To raise awareness about the need for clean, safe drinking water around the world. "We've seen firsthand the need for clean water," says Zahab.

The team used GPS tracking devices to stay on their route. They woke up at 4 a.m. daily and began running an hour later. They would break around noon to eat lunch and take a short nap. At about 9:30 p.m., they would stop, set up camp, devour dinner and fall fast asleep. Even with injuries and sickness, they never missed a day. But it wasn't easy, according to Engle. "Now that I know how hard this is, I would never consider crossing the Sahara on foot again," he says.