A Blind Mexican Wants To Conquer The Sahara

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

The Mexican paralympic triathlete Rafael Jaime, who has become accustomed to overcoming the challenges that he imposes and those that life has imposed on him, is very clear about his next goal: to become the only blind athlete to finish the dreaded Marathon des Sables.

In that sporting challenge, Jaime will have to run 250 kilometers through the endless dunes, rocky hills and hot saline depressions of the Sahara, under a constant sun that regularly reaches temperatures of 122 degrees F (50 centigrade). All that in six days. In addition, as it is a self-sufficiency race, runners must carry their own 6 to 7 kilo backpack, with their food.

To achieve his odyssey, Jaime has the support of Nahila Hernández, a prominent athlete who has already participated in several ultramarathons.

According to the Mexican newspaper Milenio, the duo was formed on Jaime's initiative after he followed Nahila's career through social networks. In February of last year, she sent him a tweet to propose that they run together. "In less than 15 minutes" he replied and the talks began to make this dream come true. {f¶á5ãÍmÞ ÷ qÆÝuþ¹ {®úÛǶõÖûß † Û

Since she lives in Santiago de Chile and he lives in Durango, Mexico, practicing together has not been easy. However a few weeks ago they were trained in the Atacama desert, where they were very well mated.

They both know that the challenge is great. "The only end is for her to end, to become the first blind man in the world to end it," Nahila said. We hope it is!