Chahid El Hafed, 20/02/2005 (SPS) The 6th edition of the International Sahara Marathon will take place this February the 28th in the Saharawi refugee camps near Tindouf, according to the preparing Committee of this competition of solidarity with the Saharawi people, which is hold each year since 2001.

 

Hundreds athletes, from all continents, are awaited for in the Wilaya of El Aaiun two days before the start of this sport competition, baptised "Sahara Marathon", which will also include a semi-Marathon and 10KM and 5Km races, the same source indicated.

 

The first edition of the Sahara Marathon 2001, organised by the American, Jeb Carney, in collaboration with the US Western Sahara Foundation, was won by the Algerian, Aouil Rabeh. The start of that competition was given y American Congressman, Joseph Pitts.

 

The second edition, was won by the Italian, Castelleno Villenzo (42 years old), while Rosa Maria Manari won the women first place.

 

The 3rd edition, organised in 2003, was won by the Spanish, Jorge Obeso Matinez, while the Italian, Rosa Maria Manari, won the women race for the second time.

 

The American, Hugh Jones, Secretary General of the International Association of Marathon (AIMS) won the 4th edition of the Sahara Marathon, organised in the refugee caps in the 23 and 24 of February 2004 by an Italian Committee in collaboration with the Saharawi Ministry of Culture.

 

The Italian, Castelleno Villenzo (45 years), who won the 2^nd edition, was the winner of the 5th edition organised in 2005, it should be recalled. (SPS)

 

010/090/100/TRD 201955 Feb 05 SPS

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