This 9th MARATHON OF THE DUNES, is remaining placed under the
sign of solidarity towards the population living in dependent arid
regions of a hostile climate and nature, will take place in the Big Western Erg, this time in the oasis of KERZAZ that seduced the participants who were able to appreciate its beauty at the time of the day of excursion that they passed there in the setting of the previous edition.

Once again, my choice doesn't have anything insignificant but answers to the wishes of a big majority of the participants also, the athletes who especially appreciated the courses drawn in gritty lands, that meet well their expectations, but also for the accompanying that have been seduced to be able to come closer to a population open and happy to welcome us, and that it didn't miss to testify us by the festivities organized in our honor.

To make discover by the sport the regions that would remain for many only a point on a map, contribute to promote the tourism in regions where lives a population whom has for only resource its scanty local production to survive while it lives in an idyllic place for us, tourists who live in the big comfort.

It also contributes to encourage the local authorities to set all in motion to improve the infrastructures permitting to welcome us, these benefitting to the population then.

In spite of the difficulties met to organize such an event, in virgin regions of all tourist invasions, I persist in this direction because the understanding of the participants encourages me from year to year.

The legendary hospitality of these populations, of regions of the big infinite spaces, of the dunes of sand gilt that spread to the horizon makes to forget the lack of comfort very quickly, relative sometimes, linked to this kind of journey that rhymes with adventure but framed always perfectly by an organization prowled now, that makes the security its main objective.

I benefit from this to thank all participants who remain faithful to us and those that discovered the Marathon of the Dunes for the first time, without forgetting the authorities and the team there that always contributes to its increasing success.

And happy with the new success of the 8th edition I invite you numerous to its 9th edition that will take place from December 27, 2008 to January 2, 2009 in this beautiful region of Saoura.