Ultra X Jordan | Adventure for all
Team TrailMed (Multidisciplinary Expedition Medical Team)
Ultra X Jordan takes place in the mars-like landscape chosen for the filming of The Martian.. The mystical desert course takes competitors past historic sites, into dramatic wadis and over magnificent sand dunes. As Ultra X's official event medical partner, TrailMed was pleased to support Ultra X again on this 5-stage ultramarathon in the Wadi Rum in Jordan. Our role as the medical team was crucial, as we were responsible for the health and well-being of all participants, ensuring they could push their limits in a safe environment.
TrailMed’s wonderful multidisciplinary team at the start of the Ultra X Jordan event.
Upon landing in Amanthe, crew and participants promptly converged at the race hotel to begin the event. First, kit checks, medical briefings, and runner briefings in Aman ensured that we conveyed the importance of runners looking after themselves when running in the desert. The runners faced not only the extreme temperatures but also the rugged terrain and the mental challenge of a multi-stage ultramarathon.
Once complete, we travelled to Rum Village, where the roads end, and transferred onto the back of the infamous Wadi Rum pick-up trucks to reach the race camp; a 10-minute thrilling ride filled with the excitement of what is to come, the awe of the views and the odd "ouch" as one lands heavily on their bottom having been bounced off it.
To minimise the effects of heat (up to 35 degrees Celsius), the race started at or before dawn each day. The running field was strong, and the crew enjoyed supporting them through the checkpoints. Our new spray bottles were a big hit with runners and crew for cooling down, earning us instant friendships!
Every trip has what we term a 'Top and a Flop' (a highlight and low or not-so-great occurrence), and we shared some of those personal to us as a medical team one evening. The picks for 'Tops' of the day includes the views, moments spent with specific runners, and the evening walks out to the dunes for sunset. The flops, well.... the tinned sardines weren't a big hit.
Completing final pre-event equipment checks at the start of the Ultra X Jordan event.
Working as an expedition medic and as part of Team TrailMed to provide event and expedition medical services in every global environment is a unique privilege. It's not just the travel but the immersion in other countries' cultures and their people and supporting everyday people to succeed in completing extraordinary challenges. When exposed to the melting pot of runners, medics, event crews and members of the local community all talking, sharing stories and food, it's easy to forget that this harmonious environment doesn't exist the world over as the political tensions currently at play in the Middle East came to light.
After a highly successful Tuesday, with runners and crew enjoying the colourful desert sunset, the day ended with a sight most of us are privileged not to see in our lives. High-altitude missiles passed through the night sky from Iran to Israel to be intercepted by the Israeli defence system. As there is no cell service in the Wadi Rum, the race crew from Ultra X did their best to get news updates via the media team on their daily trips back into Rum village, where it uploaded its race updates. The American expats shared their reassuring local knowledge with the crew; in Jordan it is not unusual for their air space to be closed to keep their aircraft safe whilst their neighbours fire rockets during pre-announced time windows
“I am proud that the race team, including my fantastic medical team, coped well with uncertainty about flights home and the inability to contact family during this scary and uncertain period.”
As the race progressed, our morning blister clinics increased in size each morning. Those new to blister treatment are now pros! One of our medics, Ann-Marie, a duel-trained nurse and podiatrist, led the charge with the complicated feet and received a paper plate special recognition award at the end-of-race party; congratulations, Ann-Marie!
Preventative care is just as important as responsive; here a member of Team TrailMed supports with a runner footcare.
Following the same pattern as last year, our most medically severe event occurred towards the end of the event. It is not unusual for this to happen; mental and physical fatigue starts to take hold…and those self-care habits that runners demonstrate so well at the start of the event begin to fade. Two of TrailMed's medics, looked after a sick runner superbly at checkpoint two and testament to their efforts, we were grateful they enjoyed cheering from the shade at the finish line once recovered.
Jordanian runner Salameh again won the race, but some superb athletes challenged him, and for the spectators and families watching the updates come in at home, it was a thrilling contest. We saw new friendships form as injured runners supported each other between the checkpoints and across the finish line. We are privileged to be just a tiny part of their adventure, ready to provide any medical care they need and give each runner that edge by supporting them with preventative care such as blister care, taping, cooling and plenty of cheering!
It's not just the runners who make the expedition unique, though; the race employs many locals who are an invaluable part of the event crew. Their dedication and hard work are a crucial part of the event's success. Their involvement is a testament to the growing local participation in the Ultra X Jordan event.
Sawson, a 37-year-old lady, was the first female from Jordan to participate in the race. She and her Deloitte colleague Yousef, both from the Aman office, took part after their work asked for volunteers. Yousef, in particular, battled through a leg injury to compete in all stages of the race; by the look on his face, pure grit got him around. Sawson, who admits she didn't know what she had signed up for, inspired the camp with her cheerful determination. Though she sadly missed the cut-off on day two, her pace increased each day, and by day four, she was cracking the whip at other runners to keep them going
A rapid cool down equals rapid relief!
The local Bedouin men, the local tourist police, and a few other sceptics were won over by her relentless determination. After initially telling her to give up, they rallied and got behind her, establishing her as the firm favourite and is closely protected by them! She promised Salameh that she would be back with her sister next year to challenge him in the competition for first place - we look forward to witnessing this challenge next year!
As the sun set at the end of the event, runners and crew enjoy a final meal and party hosted by the Bendoiun who cooked up an absolute feast in their camp kitchen. The race was a success for all involved, with new friendships forged and personal adventures and experiences in remote Wadi Rum. As we travelled back to the airport, I reflected on how privileged we are to be enjoy the Wadi Rum together, without the pull to check our emails or social media feeds. We were free to forge new friendships and enjoy the environment.
Adventure is good for us all in so many ways!
Publishers Note
This blog is composed of many perspectives and reflections from our wonderful medical team that supported the Ultra X Jordan event. As such we have drawn on their contributions to create a narrative for this blog and as such we feel it would be unfair to credit this to just one medic.
We would also like to say a huge thank you to all of our medical staff for their hard work on this event, in particular against the difficult backdrop of events, which at the time of writing, was unfolding in the Middle East.
