Happy birthday Desert Running Camp

Happy Birthday Desert Running Camp. 10 years of running and emotions among the desert dunes, 10 years of Desert Running Camp. From October 19th to 27th, the tenth edition of what is now considered the best and the only organized desert running experience took place. A real course to approach and learn about the difficulties and pitfalls of this fascinating and feared context.

With Alberto Rovera, founder and organizer, we are going to relive the history of this wonderful opportunity to experience racing in one of the most extreme environments on earth.

Hi Alberto, this year you celebrated 10 years of Desert Running Camp: a lot of sand has passed under your feet and who knows how much you have tested. Let’s try to take a leap into the past. How did the idea of ​​creating this experience come about? And what are the most intense and vivid memories that you carry with you from all these editions?
That’s right, 10 years have flown by! But that’s it. The idea was born to be able to give advice and teaching to those runners who wanted to approach running in the desert and beyond. At the same time giving advice on how to prepare for races in the desert, how to organize the backpack and how to eat before, during and post race. Who better than Marco Olmo could support me in this? And so we left.

Never before has participation been so numerous as this year, shall we say? Did you expect it?
A couple of years ago Marco was replaced by Michele Graglia, another living legend of ultra extremes, this year we also added Alice Minetti, a well-known coach in the world of running, to the staff, so with two characters like these it could only be thus, both enjoy a lot of respect and have a large following.

What is the mystery and magic that lies in facing a running experience in a context that is anything but ordinary?
Surely being running, or rather practicing the discipline you love, in a context completely different from those usually frequented. Here you run through large, infinite expanses, sand dunes, canyons, oueds; you pass through ancient villages abandoned or lost in the desert. You meet Bedouins and many nomads who give a fascinating atmosphere to the practice. This year, thanks to the abundant rains in September, we were lucky enough to run on the banks of lakes that no one had remembered in living memory. We even took a bath in it.

Marco Olmo and Michele Graglia, two dune hunters, past and present who have accompanied you over these years. What are the common aspects and what characterize them?
They are two very great characters, perhaps unparalleled. Both have won top-level competitions and have a unique wealth of experience. They have two different characters and uncommon qualities that distinguish them.

What should we expect for the future at the next editions of the Desert Running Camp?
Certainly, I am already anticipating the dates from 18 to 26 October 2025, the format will be the same: running or walking in the morning and afternoons dedicated to interesting excursions. The evening will be dedicated to yoga and stretching. There will also be important news for lovers of “ultra-ultra” which we will make official shortly, but I cannot reveal more at the moment. Follow us on social media and on the website www.scuolaitalianaoutdoor.it

Thank you
Thanks to you and see you next time, don’t miss this special event

Discover and partecipate in the next edition of Desert Running Camp  HERE

Credit photo: Desert Running Camp
Official tag:
#desertrunningcamp

© copyright iovedodicorsa 2024, il brand di Marco Frattini: training, abbigliamento, bandane, scarpe, accessori per il running

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Buon compleanno Desert Running Camp

Buon compleanno Desert Running Camp. 10 anni di corsa ed emozioni tra le dune del deserto, 10 anni di Desert Running Camp. Dal 19 al 27 ottobre scorso, è andata in scena la decima edizione di quella che è ormai considerata la migliore e forse unica, esperienza organizzata di corsa nel deserto. Un vero e proprio corso per approcciarsi e conoscere le difficoltà e le insidie di questo affascinante e temuto contesto.
Con Alberto Rovera, fondatore e organizzatore, andiamo a rivivere la storia di questa meravigliosa occasione di vivere la corsa in uno degli ambienti più estremi della terra.

Ciao Alberto, quest’anno avete festeggiato i dieci anni di Desert Running Camp: di sabbia sotto i piedi ne è passata parecchio e chissà quanta ne avete fatta saggiare. Proviamo a fare un salto nel passato. Come è nata l’idea di ideare questa esperienza? E quali sono i ricordi più intensi e vivi che porti con te di tutte queste edizioni?
Esatto, dieci anni che sono volati! Ma tant’è. L’idea era nata per poter dare consigli ed insegnamenti a quei runners che volevano avvicinarsi alla corsa nel deserto e non solo, nello stesso tempo dare consigli su come prepararsi per gare nel deserto, come organizzare lo zaino e come alimentarsi nel pre, durante e post gara, e chi meglio di Marco Olmo poteva supportarmi in questo? E così siamo partiti.

Mai come quest’anno la partecipazione è stata così numerosa, diciamo bene? Te lo aspettavi?
Da un paio d’anni Marco è stato sostituito da Michele Graglia, altra leggenda vivente delle ultra estreme, quest’anno poi abbiamo inserito nell’organico anche Alice Minetti nota coach nel mondo del running, quindi con due personaggi come questi non poteva che essere così, entrambi godono di molta stima ed hanno molto seguito.

Quale è il mistero e la magia che si cela nell’affrontare un’esperienza di corsa in un contesto tutt’altro che ordinario?
Senz’altro correre, o meglio praticare la disciplina che si ama, in un contesto completamente diverso da quelli abitualmente frequentati. Qui si corre attraverso grandi infinite distese, dune di sabbia, canyon, oued; si attraversano antichi villaggi abbandonati o sperduti nel deserto. Si incontrano beduini e molti nomadi che imprimono un’atmosfera affascinante alla pratica. Quest’anno poi, grazie alle abbondanti piogge del mese di settembre, abbiamo avuto la fortuna di correre sulle rive di laghi che a memoria d’uomo nessuno ricordava. Ci abbiamo anche fatto il bagno

Marco Olmo e Michele Graglia, due cacciatori di dune, passato e presente che ti hanno accompagnato nel corso di questi anni. Quali sono gli aspetti comuni e quali quelli che li caratterizzano?
Sono due grandissimi personaggi, forse ineguagliabili. Entrambi hanno vinto gare di altissimo livello e posseggono un bagaglio di esperienze uniche. Hanno due caratteri diversi e doti non comuni che li contraddistinguono.

Cosa ci dobbiamo aspettare per il futuro alle prossime edizioni del Desert Running Camp?
Sicuramente, anticipo già sin d’ora le date dal 18 al 26 ottobre 2025, il format sarà lo stesso: corsa o camminata al mattino e pomeriggi dedicati ad interessanti escursioni. La sera verrà dedicata allo yoga e allo stretching. Ci sarà poi una importante novità per gli amanti delle “ultra-ultra” che ufficializzeremo a breve, ma non posso svelare di più al momento. Seguiteci sui social e sul sito www.scuolaitalianaoutdoor.it

Grazie
Grazie a voi ed alla prossima, non mancate a questo speciale appuntamento

Scopri e partecipa alla prossima edizione del Desert Running Camp QUI

Credit photo: Desert Running Camp
Official tag:
#desertrunningcamp

© copyright iovedodicorsa 2024, il brand di Marco Frattini: training, abbigliamento, bandane, scarpe, accessori per il running

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Michele Graglia, the dune hunter

2022 was the first year that saw Michele Graglia rise to the role of leader and guide among the immense expanses and dunes of the Merzouga desert, on the occasion of the annual Desert Running Camp, an internship event promoted by The Italian Outdoor School (www.scuolaitalianaoutdoor.it). Michele boasts a running curriculum with podiums and prestigious victories that have led him to be among the most popular ultra-runners in the world.
With Michele we talk about his experience at Desert Running Camp 2022, keeping an eye on both his past and the near future.

Hi Michele, life always reserves great surprises, even in the most extreme environments on earth. Since 2022 you have become the point of reference for all those who want to try running in the desert at the Desert Running Camp. What is the vote you give yourself as a Desert Trainer and what was the feedback from the participants in last year’s edition?
Personally I would give full marks to the Camp but I can hardly rate myself. I just know that I do my best to ensure safety as well as a unique and unforgettable experience! The feedback from all past participants has always been more than positive, proof of which is the fact that year after year there are many runners who return to relive those days between sand and stars!

Running is a long journey that begins and never seems to end. What was the evolution that led you to tackle long distances first and then the desert, always running?
Running has always represented freedom, research and exploration. Not only of the places you pass through but also of yourself.
An opportunity to confront each other, and feel connected. With my own self. After numerous adventures among the most beautiful landscapes of this lot, I have found that being in a fascinating and vast environment like the desert has always emphasized this wonderful experience even more.

How did you feel in the role of host and guide towards those who participated in Desert Running Camp 2022?
For me it’s a privilege to be able to share my passion for the great void. Running on sand dunes with the sun on the horizon, without a trace or a path and being able to feel free to follow any direction you want, in complete freedom is a gift and an experience that changes inside.

What did you take away from this experience?Each time you learn something different. Because the desert changes, like us after all. Feeling free to play and jump off the golden dunes brings us back not only to our primordiality but also a little closer to our being children.

2023 will see you once again at the start of this adventure: how is it possible to register and participate in the next edition of the Desert Running Camp and what do you feel like saying to all those who would like to join you in this experience?
It is a unique experience and I invite all interested parties to visit our website:
www.scuolaitalianaoutdoor.it/desert-running-camp/
or contact us directly on IG @mickeygraglia or @desertrunningcamps

Discover Desert Running Camp and all fascinating RTW races      HERE


Official tag: 
#runtheworld
Foto credit: Desert Running Camp

© copyright iovedodicorsa 2023, il brand di Marco Frattini: training, abbigliamento, bandane, scarpe, accessori per il runninArgento

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Desert Running Camp

Desert Running Camp

Introduction and training course for desert running and Nordic Walking, in the most fascinating places in Morocco: the “Chebbi”, Merzouga erg.

The internship for nordic walking practicers has been confirmed for 2025 with specific excursions and dedicated accompanying.

Learn tricks, methods and techniques to face running and walking in the desert in the best way, with advice and learnings from one of the greatest italian representative of the specialty: Michele Graglia, winner of extreme international competitions such as Bad Water, The Cro Magnon. Also, qualified instructors of the Italian Outdoor School will follow the nordic walking practicers.

Also for this edition, Michele will be supported by Alice Minetti: trail runner and creator of the “Aliaipiedi” movement. Graduate with full marks in Advanced Sport Science and Techniques, 3° level FIDAL trainer.

Internships for everyone, from the beginner who wants to begin, to the athlete who wants to finish to the champion who has made to refine and finalize his training.

5 mornings of running or nordic walking with distances according to your level of preparation.

Every evening at sunset, at the foot of the magnificent dunes in front of the structure which hosts us: yoga and sound healing with a high level international instructor, aimed at meditation and psycho-physical relaxation.

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