Regina runner Stacey Shand completed her first day of the six-day Marathon des Sables on Sunday in Morocco.
Shand finished the first 25-kilometre stage in three hours 42 minutes 28 seconds and was in 528th position overall.
Competitors are to cross the Sahara desert in six days and cover 243 kilometres while carrying all of the supplies they need, such as food, clothing, sleeping bags and water.
The race is nicknamed the toughest footrace on Earth and received its designation partly from the distance and lack of support and amenities, but also owing to extreme heat (up to 49 C.)
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