2006 Photo Contest, Sports, 3rd prize
Photographer

Benito Pajares

El Mundo / Sahara Marathon

27 May, 2005

Participants in the Sahara Marathon run past the sole tree to be found along the many kilometers of their route. The marathon is an international sports event organized to show support and raise funds for the Sahrawi people. The Sahrawis have been living in refugee camps in southwestern Algeria for 30 years, following post-colonial conflict in the region. The marathon has been run annually since 2000 along a route between three of the camps, and attracts hundreds of participants from all over the world. In addition to a standard-distance marathon there are shorter races and one for children. Runners sometimes have to battle against sandstorms of up to 120km per hour, and at times cannot easily see where they are going.

About the photographer

Benito Pajares

This image is collected in