Collection of Rebecca Byerly's Print Articles
Al Jazeera.Net / Sports: "Adventure Racing in Libya"
CNN.com / Asia: "Cambodias Athletes Seek A Better Playing Field"
CNN.com / Asia: "In Mongolia, Competition Worth Singing About"
CNN.com / Asia: "All Systems Gobi For Silk Road Race"
CNN. com / World Sport: "Marathon Runners Reach A Great Wall"
Marathon & Beyond: "One World, Many Dreams"
Pearl Foundation: "Akbar Ahmed & Judea Pearl Stress Need for Dialogue"
OUTLOOK Traveler: "Gulmarq - Freeze Frame"
Rebecca Byerly Reporting for Al Jazeera SPORT
Sport UPDATED ON:
Thursday, March 26, 2009
18:08 Mecca time, 15:08 GMT
| Adventure racing in Libya | ||||||||||||
| By Rebecca Byerly in Libya
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Journey Film's JB Benna and adventure journalist Rebecca Byerly documented the first visit to the Libyan desert by Americans in thirty years for Al Jazeera. Here Rebecca describes the challenges of adventure racing and the opportunity to share unique cross-cultural experiences. Alone, in the Sahara desert in southwest Libya, I walked through the night. A magnificent chandelier of stars hung above me, and the Akakus Mountains rose ahead. Silence, there were no cars or people for miles. Only the sound of my footsteps on the rocky terrain. "I am a 25-year-old American woman, and I’m alone in the Libyan Desert," I thought. "This is crazy! I’ve just learned to use my GPS and now my life depends on it." But, to my surprise, I was not afraid. I was totally at peace and had never felt more alive. This was one of the many surprises the desert would bring. In February, the first - ever American team competed in an adventure race called the Libyan Challenge, a 200-km footrace through the Sahara.
As a journalist and adventure athlete, I believe sports are one of the best ways to connect with people across cultures. My colleague, filmmaker, JB Benna and I had come to document Libyan culture and compete in one of the most difficult endurance races in the world; the Libyan Challenge. Participants in this race use a GPS for navigation and have to carry all of the equipment they need to survive; including 7,000 calories of food, a flare, and venom extractor. In recent years relations between the US and Libya have improved, and for the first time Americans could participate in the event. For the American team the trip was not about politics but the opportunity to experience Libya through the perspective of a runner. Coming into this race, I really did not know what to expect. The American team was venturing into a part of Libya that had not seen American tourists for nearly 30 years. There were hundreds of kilometres to cover, but for me, success in this race was not measured by distance. It was measured by the human interactions I had, the culture I absorbed and shared, and each person I met. I remember a few incidents vividly.
"What should we do?" we thought. How suspicious we must have looked - two Americans with video cameras, walking through the desert in running clothes. As the jeep got closer, I understood what they were saying. "Yalla, Yalla, Yalla," which translates loosely to "go faster!" To our relief we realised they'd come to support us. "You are the first Americans I've met," said Najim, a Libyan man in his late 30's. He was in charge of the tourist police assigned to watch over the race. We became friends, and periodically over the next few days, the tourist police, led by Najim, would zoom by blaring words of encouragement. "You are like a brother and sister to me," Najim told us. "You are the best impression of America."
During the event, we trekked through prehistoric forests, canyons, endless skylines of sand dunes and across black crumbling volcanic rock. In some ways the experience was evocative of man's first walk on the moon; we ventured deeper into the Sahara and into the unexplored places within ourselves. One of the highlights of the race was the rock paintings we encountered six hours in. The rock paintings are thousands of years old and some depict Libya when it was a jungle. Now, Libya is one of the driest places on earth. What I remember most about these paintings was not the artwork but the conversations we had with the Tuareg tour guides we met. "I have many European tourists," the young Tuareg guide said, "but never Americans." Then, just before he drove away in a Land Rover packed with British tourists, he stopped, stuck his head out the window, and said in excellent English, "It's good you're here." In the desert, the mere struggle for survival brings people closer together and cultural differences tend to dissolve.
While most participants wore special socks, shoes, and foot coverings in the race, Mohammed, one of the Tuareg participants, ran a portion of the race without shoes. He prepared by toughening his feet over an open fire – a cringeworthy sight for onlookers such as myself! While we didn’t adopt all the Tuaregs' methods, we were already practicing some. Similar to their headcoverings, most of the runners in this race wear what is called a "Buff", a type of bandana they pull over their face to lessen the intensity of the swealtering desert sun. When you are out in the desert, it doesn't matter what country you are from, which God you worship, or how much money you have.
Before the race, I struggled to make conversation with some of the other participants but after the race, we were joined in our gruelling 200 km trek to the finish.
This is a race where finish times differ by days. The winners finished under 30 hours.
My teammates and I crossed the finish line in the middle of the pack in 58 hours. Mohammed, the Tuareg competitor, who ran barefoot, crossed the line in 75 hours. For me, this race was an opportunity to grow as a person, to explore a country I knew little about, and make lasting friendships. But this year's adventure was only the beginning. We are already planning for next year's race. |
"Rebecca Byerly Reporting From Libya" on Al Jazeera TV March 2009
Al Jazeera English TV coverage of Rebecca's latest Adventure:
GoTo:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ6fm2DQMx8
(Click "HQ" button to view in HD)
Rebecca Byerly, Leads the First American Team to Complete 125 mile Libyan Challenge 03.04.2009
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Basil Nikas
basil.nikas@gcinitiative.org
Washington, DC
202.250.1842
Rebecca Byerly leads the first American team to complete
the 125 mile Libyan Challenge Master Trek
Greensboro, North Carolina March 20, 2009: Journalist and adventure athlete, Rebecca Byerly will return to her hometown in Pleasant Garden, North Carolina tomorrow after leading the first American Team to complete the 125 mile, Libyan Challenge Master Trek in Ghat, Libya. She used a GPS for navigation, completing the event with her team mates in 58 hours and 32 minutes and documenting the story with filmmaker JB Benna.
Byerly learned in September 2008, that the Libyan government had opened the race to Americans. She saw this as an opportunity for other Americans to learn about the history, cultural and geography of Libya through the eyes of a runner. She worked as a liaison with race management, recruited participants, and negotiated the visa process. Fellow runner Howard Cohen defined the teams physical requirements, equipment, and strategy.
More than one hundred runners from around the world participated in this extraordinary event. The American team included; Rebecca Byerly, Isabella De La Houssaye, Bob Lashua, and Howard Cohen. Experienced ultra marathon runner Cohen was the first American across the finish line in 52 hours and 35 minutes. Tri-athlete and mother of five De La Houssaye, marathoner and former correctional officer Lashua, and Byerly finished the race together in 58 hours and 32 minutes. Many of the Libyans and Tuaregs, the nomadic people indigenous to the area, had never met Americans before.
A graduate of American University, Byerly has worked in Afghanistan, Sudan, Palestine, India, Mongolia, Cambodia, and China. She has used running and writing to share the remarkable accounts of people in far-flung regions of the world whose stories would otherwise go untold.
"Some people wonder why we are doing this race," Rebecca said. "It definitely takes a special person to take on an event like this. But we take on these kinds of challenges because they not only offer an opportunity to grow personally, but to make life-long friends, and to improve understanding between nations. When you are out in the desert it does not matter which country you are from, which God you worship, or how much money you have. We are all out there suffering together with one goal in mind - to cross the finish."
The successful groundwork the American Team established on this first historic event has opened the door for a much larger team in next years Master Trek. The American Team appreciated the support they have received from friends across the globe.
Rebecca Byerly's Dispatches from the Libyan Challenge 02.28.2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Sahara Desert, Libya
Which one is worse...me or him? Now imagine we are the last place in the race and somehow we have to catch Bob and Isabella and get the footage.
I learned that Bob and Isabella were only an hour ahead. So I bolted out of the Aid Station without checking out but with a coffee (nescafe in plastic cup) in hand just as the sun was rising over the Anacama mountains. Looking across the mountains and Sahara mile after mile of mesmerizing sand dunes was one of those panoramic sites one never forgets. Though I felt good then I hit the wall running down the dunes. The lack of sleep, plus taking video and pics all suddenly hit me and I collapsed under a rock face (no damages).
Woke up a little bewildered just as another runner who was in bad shape was passing. Though I’d only slept 45 minutes, I'd lost track of time and was distressed when he said that we would never make it to the cut off in time.
This is how I looked....
A few hours after this shot was taking JB and I decided it was best to go our seperate ways. We wanted to capture this race from two different perseptives and agreed that it was better for him to get as much footage as possible and catch rides between check points. I also needed to start booking it if I was going to make it to Bob and Isabella.
Thus, I found myself on an all night trek through the Sahara desert. The stars were my company and I have never felt more alive as I was totally dependent on my own navigation skills. (Scary since I can get lost walking to the mail box and at the start of the race I did not even know how to turn my GPS on.)
We ran through canyons.....and we got lots of footage as the other runners got further and further ahead
You like this.
Rebecca Byerly's Dispatches from the Libyan Challenge 02.27.2009
@JBFriday, February 27, 2009
Ghat, Libya
Still no Internet availability. Video and images will probably be sent when we hit Paris. Thank you AT&T for this incredible “desert” cell phone service. It really gives new meaning to the word “roaming.”
Received messages from all my friends. You are all part of this race and are with us every step of the way. From the first Checkpoint on I was on an Odyssey. We talked with Tuaregs in a camel caravan, spoke with Lintans who had never met Americans before and surprised a European tourist who had come to see the rock paintings.
We took tons of footage and thought our lives were over when the Libyan tourist police zoomed up behind us with blaring lights – but they were just cheering us on and followed us to the next Check Point!
JB and I separated for awhile at Checkpoint 2 and I learned how to use my GPS alone in Libya on an all night walk through the Sahara desert. The stars were my company and I have never felt more alive and to be totally dependent on my own navigation skills.
Arrived at the next Checkpoint three hours behind the other runners. The Aid Station was a wreck of runners needing medical assistance. When the doctor asked if I needed help, my reply was “Yeah, fix my camera!” It was busted from falling down a rock face on the night hike.
I did not sleep and learned that Bob and Isabella were only an hour ahead. So I bolted out of the Aid Station just as the sun was rising over the dunes. Mile after mile of mesmerizing sand dunes. Running down the dunes, with the lack of sleep, plus taking video and pics all suddenly hit me and I collapsed under a rock face (no damages). Woke up a little bewildered just as another runner who was in bad shape was passing. Though I’d only slept 45 minutes, I felt refreshed and not distressed when he told me we would never make the cut off (72 hour race limit) – which obviously he was off base as I crossed the finish line I just over 58 hours!
Rebecca Byerly
Ghat, Libya
@2009
Rebecca Byerly's Dispatches from the Libyan Challenge 20.26.2009
At 2:02 pm Libyan Desert Time (6:02 am Eastern US) Rebecca crossed the finish line of the 2009 Libyan Challenge!
She placed 55 out of 100 runners many of which abandoned the strenuous trek. She placed 55 out of 100 runners many of which abandoned the strenuous trek. She ran 186 Kilometers in 58 hours and 32 minutes and placed 8th in the women's ranking.More news as it comes in.
Rebecca Byerly's Dispatches from the Libyan Challenge 02.25.2009
Live Feed of Runner Positions and First Photos From Libya @JB
Rebecca in a Pre-Race Warm up
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
The Libyan Desert
The first visual feeds are coming in from the Libyan Challenge!
From the Libyan Challenge website - http://libyanchallenge.com/ you can real time track each runner, Here is Rebecca's status:
Stand by for more.
Rebecca Byerly
The Libyan Desert
@2009
Rebecca Byerly's Dispatches from the Libyan Challenge 02.24.2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Ghat, Libya
(This dispatch was sent as multiple text messages from a cellphone in the Libyan desert to Washington, DC for transcription and posting)Cold, cold, night with very little sleep. I cannot imagine that we will not sleep again until Friday or late Thursday. Now on the bus going to the start of the race. I am sitting next to Mudar and his advice is to be patient. When I asked Isabella about not sleeping, she laughed and said “honey, I am a mother of five and a previous lawyer, I am use to not sleeping.” We will see how it works. Our goal is to make it to Camp 1 at 43 miles or so. Then we will plan from there. Its 30 kilometers to the next first aid station so we have to carry a lot of water – about 2 liters each.
We learned at a meeting yesterday that we have to pay close attention to the road book as every twist and turn and change in geography matters and if we are not careful could lead us off course. My personal goal is to remain positive and fully supportive of my team. We have worked so hard to get here. We need to enjoy this experience and take it all in. Next year it would be great to have more Americans here.
Don’t forget to check the Libyan Challenge website for live updates (http://www.libyanchallenge
Along the way we will pass some of the rock paintings today. We learned that there is a dispute that the rock paintings may not have been painted by the Tuaregs. We hope to learn more as we proceed.
We are passing what is called the “Cave of Evils.” It is 81 meters high of rock and local people believe it is haunted. Get a strange feeling when the climb it. It looks like the Grand Canyon.
We are being driven to the start of the race in a 4x4. Our motto is “Yes we can.” Loaded up and heading out feeling like flying through the desert. I’m in the back of a pickup truck being driven by a Tuareg driver. There are runners from France and Italy with us and a French father and son team. The Father, Bob, says it is freezing cold in the desert and boasts surviving it – “ bon voyage!”. Jean Narc, the race director, is riding with us and says we our presence is “miraculous”. He is real happy to have Americans finally come.
Everyone thinks JB and I we are nuts are carrying video equipment and cameras with us. Can’t believe relieve I have cell phone service in this craziest adventure.
We made it to the start point!!! Americans at the back of the pack and its getting hotter. Walking through a canyon and about to start the climb down. Now in shorts and a tee shirts. Passing nomadic hoses made of clay and rock low to the ground. Probably housing for one of the few Tuaregs left living in the nomadic lifestyle. We are so far behind the other runners. All other runners look like pencils in the distance.
OK Libyan Challenge – here we come!
Rebecca Byerly
Ghat, Libya
@2009
Rebecca Byerly's Dispatches from the Libyan Challenge 20.23.2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
From the Libyan Desert
(This dispatch was sent as multiple text messages (150 characters at a time) from a cell phone in the Libyan desert to Washington DC for transcription!)
We made it to Libya. Actually got to cross into Libya in the cockpit of the plan. The people here seem so happy to see Americans. A lot of other runners were surprised we actually made it through customs.
The camp looks over miles of sand dunes and the Acacus Mountains. We sleep in mud huts and were pleased to find water and power.
The higher Libyan officials seemed a bit skeptical of us as we went to the old city of Ghat and we were followed closely. I was annoyed at first but realized this is a big deal to be here and that next year it will be more relaxed. Isabella said that the 1.5 hours she spent interacting with the Tuareg people made the whole trip worthwhile.
This evening I was reminded why I came to Libya, A few runners went up onto the dunes to watch the sun set and take pics. Breathtaking is all I can say. An ocean of golden sand mounds with rippling patterns bordered by the Acacus mountains and the Algerian border.
Our Libyan driver, Mohammed, was so happy to hear that we were American, he said he "likes American people and with our new president may like the American government".
We will wake up at 6 in the morning and will be driven to the start of the race. Its going to be the toughest thing most of us have ever done, but we are ready.
Rebecca Byerly
Ghat, Libya
@2009
Rebecca Byerly's Dispatches from the Libyan Challenge 02.22.2009
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Paris, France
Dear Friends,
It is 2am now and in five hours the American Team and I will take leave Paris for Libya. (I have actually just spent an hour writing a note to you all just for the computer to shut down right before I hit send) So, here we go again......
In an effort to keep you all informed we are making every effort to post through out this race when ever possible. Considering there is no internet or much of anything that resembles technology where we will be running we will see how these updates go. I've asked a friend to post on facebook for me...so if you see a post the chances are I have managed to download video/photos at an aid station and some benevolent soul has taking it from there.
Before we take off I just wanted to give you a little update of where we will be the next few days.....Please note that I got the historical information below from Lonely Planet for Libya...so Do Not quote me!
When traveling on a flash these guidebooks are essential.Right now the history of these places though interesting is nothing more than words on a page.....However, the objective is to bring these places and the journey of the First American team in Libya to life through stories, pictures, and video the next few days.
I'd love to hear from you and feel so blessed to have this opportunity. Check out our schedule below.
Day 1 Sunday Feb 22
8:00 Chartered flight from Paris to Sebha with Libyan Challenge participants
Sebha: Sebha is the largest settlement in the Libyan Sahara and has become a sprawling garrison town. The city is an important transit point for Saharan travel rather by tourists or trucks bearing human and other cargo often bound for Chad, Niger, and Algeria. A shopping trip of sorts the Sub Saharan travelers here are usually lugging their goods (often smuggled), which have arrived from across the desert.
Sebha is also the city where Qaddafi went to secondary school before he was allegedly expelled most likely for rioting against the Libyan’s governments in action during the 1956 Suez crisis. In 1969 then in his late twenties, General Qaddafi the son of a desert nomad came to power in a bloodless coup in against the King Idiris.
From Sebha we will take a bus for 6 hours through the desert to our race camp which is right outside Ghat. We will either sleeps in tents or in mud brick huts at the camp.
Day 2 Monday Feb 23
Prepare for race and visit Ghat
History: Ghat the ancient Tuareg capital was built in the Garamates in the 1st century BC atop the ruins of another earlier settlement known as Rana. Most of what we now see in Ghat dates from the 12th century. The Tuaregs reffered to Ghat as the “Land of Peace” and it was known in the Libyan language as the “Land of the Sun.” The Tuaregs of Tassili-n-Ajjer used the town as “free-trade-zone” of sorts. But this trade zone was only ensured if you paid a bribe to the local Turegs who ruled the area. In the 19th century Ghat lost its automony and was taken over by the Ottomans before it passed into the hands of the French and the Italians. But until tourist recently started coming to the area non-Muslim visitors were rare.
Day 3 Tuesday Feb 24
9:00am race starts
(Well, it should start. According to Laurent Locke a runner from last year the bus full or competitors got stuck in the sand on the way to a race. "The Tuareg's saved the day as they toted runners in their old pick up trucks to the start of the race. Enshallah (God Willing) we will not have that problem.
Day 3 - 5 Tues Feb 24 - Friday 27 6:00pm
First American Team takes on the Libyan Challenge
We hope to be done by Thursday but who knows
Day 6 Feb 28 CELEBRATE
Day 7 March 1 I head to Tripoli
Rebecca Byerly
Paris, France
@2009
Rebecca Byerly's Dispatches from the Libyan Challenge 02.21.2009
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Paris, France
Dear Friends:
Thank you for your words of encouragement. Your support is tremendous.
In less than 24 hours we will leave for Libya, to take on what will undoubtedly be one of the most difficult challenges of our lives. Four of the five members of the American Team are now in Paris. We expected Isabella the fifth member of the team to arrive this morning but instead I awoke to an email from her, which said “Plane took off but returned to Philly several hours later, will catch another.” We have no idea why her plane was turned back or where Isabella is now. But one of the lessons learned in preparing for this trip is you can’t worry about how these things happen rather you have to have faith that they will.
Though the team has run crazy races across the globe, this ultra run in Libya feels like we are stepping into an unknown vortex of geography, culture, and history. Contemplating running 125 miles, with a 25-pound pack is difficult, but becomes even more daunting when one considers that we will be doing this in one of the most secluded areas of the Sahara. In a few hours we will leave the comforts of what we know and step in to the mystery of southern Libya. Our days will be filled either trekking through the Jebel Akakus Mountains, which are extraordinary rock formations shaped by the winds of time or stomping through an endless sea of sand. This race is literally a walking history lesson as we will pass rock paintings depicting thousands of years of Tuareg traditions and we will meet the Tuareg people one of the only matriarchal societies in the world. Though we are excited about the opportunity to see all of this our minds whirl with questions? Will we appreciate these sites 60 hours into a run? How will we be received in Libya? Last night between glasses of red wine and a stroll by the Eiffel Tower the team and I joked about all the apprehensions our family and friends have about our trip. So, many people associate Libya with terrorism and truly fear for our lives. Though I take their concerns seriously, I am in no way worried. Traveling has taught me not to stereotype. For me one of the most important aspects of this race is to understand Libya through a different lens and for Libyans to see Americans as the individuals we are. During the race our team will wear American flag patches on our shirts.
When I look at the American team I could not be more proud. Over the course of the last few months I have grown to love my teammates and appreciate their courage and outlooks on life. People think it takes a super athlete to do these kinds of races. This is funny to me as I am in mediocre shape and in no way trained for this kind of event. Though training is certainly important it is your attitude and mind set that gets you to the finish. If one allows negative thoughts to take hold then the race is over. One of the life lessons I learned a long time ago was that half the battle is simply having the courage to show up. After that you have to be present and flexible to the road bumps, which are sure to occur. The triumph is in the struggle.
Please keep the support and positive vibes coming. We are going to need it!!!!
I’ll send another update before take off tomorrow morning at 6am.
Rebecca Byerly
Paris, france
@2009
Rebecca Byerly's Dispatches from the Libyan Challange 02.18.2009
First Leg - DC to Paris (via Madrid)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Dulles Airport, Washington, DC
Dear Friends:
Did you know your about to leave for Libya? Thats right! In 20 minutes your boarding a plane bound for France and then you head to Libya on the 22nd.
How? Your not only coming with me in spirit and can watch the first American team as we battle the wilds of the Libyan Challenge.
Check out our site on National Geographic:
http://blogs.nationalgeogr
We will provide real time updates for your all and would love for you to post your comments and questions to the website.
Before this crazy adventure begins which includes running 125 miles in the Libyan Desert, I just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU. You guys mean the world to me and give me strength to take on adventures like this. When I first heard about the Libyan Challenge back in September I was injured, unemployed, down right depressed, and wondered how I'd ever find Americans willing to take on an adventure like this in a country that has been virtually closed to the west for three decades. But six months later, what was a mere dream is now a reality.
Thank you so much for your constant encouragement and allowing me to be me.
I love you and feel so blessed to have the opportunity to share Libya with you.
Got to board!!!!
Rebecca Byerly
Washington, DC
@2009
Rebecca Byerly's Dispatches from the Libyan Challenge 02.16.2009
Press Release
Libyan Challenge Master Trek
February 16, 2009
On February 24th the first team of Americans will compete in the Libyan Challenge Master Trek, a 125-mile foot race along an ancient camel caravan route in northern Africa's
Participants will be self-supported, carrying all of their food and medical supplies with only a GPS to navigate between waypoints where they can refill their water supplies. Runners have 75 hours to complete the grueling event. Along the way they will pass prehistoric rock paintings depicting
Clambering over volcanic rock and towering rock formations, the American Team will not only be tested to their physical and mental limits, but they will also have the opportunity to be ambassadors to Libya country during a time when relations are being built between the US and Libya.
American runners include Bob Lashua 45, Howard Cohen 50, Isabella De La Houssaye 45, JB Benna 29, and
"Last September a Libyan friend told me about the race and put me in touch with the Libyan Consul here in
This it the fourth year the Libyan Challenge has been held but it is the first time Americans have had the opportunity to participate. After three decades of sanctions, the first American Ambassador was recently appointed to
"One of the most inspiring aspects of this race has been watching the mentality of the American team change," says Rebecca. "At first they were hesitant and worried about traveling to
Training for the race has been a challenge in its own right. Bob, a
"Some people wonder why we are doing this race," Rebecca said. "It definitely takes a special person to take on an event like this. But we take on these kinds of challenges because they offer an opportunity to not only grow as a person, but to make life long friends, and to take steps towards improved understanding between nations. When you are out in the desert it does not matter what country you are from, which God you worship, or how much money you have. We are all out there suffering together with one goal in mind - to cross the finish."
@2009
Welcome
Yes, he is walking barefoot through the desert