My dad runs a lot of 10ks, 5ks and has run the occasional marathon. He’s told me of the various rigorous training routines he has used to amp up for race day. He’s informed me of how he plans out his liquid intake and food portions for maximum benefit before a race. I’ve seen him comparing and contrasting reviews of various name brand running shoes, all filled with the latest and greatest technology. He wears all of the proper running attire, from special “running socks” to ipod. My dad does all of this to make the daunting task of running long distances a little less daunting. Even with all of this, he will confess to anyone who will listen that running long distance races or marathons is “difficult”.

It’s funny how the term “difficult” is always relative to the context, isn’t it?

The tougher-than-leather Maasai Warriors of northern Tanzania and southern Kenya are planning to run a marathon too. In their case, however, the preparation and equipment are a bit different. Sorry Nike! The only “air” these guys need is the air in their lungs. So much for your $180 running shoe technology, Reebok; The Maasai are sporting homemade sandals made out of reused tire tread. Much apologies to Under Armor as well. You won’t see any $80 sweat wicking artificial fabric gracing the backs of these noble warriors: They plan to run the race in their traditional wraps. And let’s not forget accessories! You won’t find a diamond encrusted Sidekick III or a chihuahua in a Gucci bag here. Nope. These boys are running with their traditional shields and spears (and I don’t mean Britney). Oh, and just to liven things up a bit, the Maasai plan to “sing and dance” along the way.

As if this isn’t embarrassing enough for all those westerners also participating in the run who will STILL struggle with the 26 mile distance even though they’ve bought all the appropriate gear that they read about in Runners World, done all the right preparation, and plan to drink all the right liquids…

“And we will do the whole marathon with no water,” says one of the Warriors. “We often travel for many days, eating only twice a day, and we have no water.”

Sorry, Gatorade.
Sorry, Vitamin Water.
Sorry, Power Bar.

Ironic, actually, considering the reason they are doing all of this is to bring a little awareness to the fact that their people are starved of something most of us all take for granted every day: clean water to drink.

Think about that the next time you take that $2 bottle of cold, refreshing Evian out of the fridge.

Now THIS is the kind of thing I feel compelled to donate money to. These are honorable men doing a very honorable thing… and proving one again that the word “difficult” is always relative to circumstance.

Massai Marathon Homepage - Go here to learn more about the Maasai and their cause.

The original Yahoo story I read