Meet Sandy McCallum Current Adventures Ask Sandy to speak at your next function The Sahara Odyssey Team Sahara Odyssey Contact Sandy
     
LISA SMITH-BATCHEN

Lisa Smith-Batchen is a legend in the Ultramarathon world. She has a career highlight list that few can match.

  • 7 Badwater Ultramarathons: Three 1st Place Finishes
  • Grand Slam of Ultrarunning Finisher(2003): 1st Female; 7th overall
  • 2 Marathon des Sables Ultramarathons. First and only North American
    female to win the event
    in its 20 year history. (1999)
  • 7 Hawaiin Ironman Championships: PR: 10:33:27
  • 3 Eco-Challenge Multi-Sport Adventure Races

The list goes on and on.

She has been featured on the covers of numerous U.S. newspapers, including the New York Times and the LA Times...and has appeared on ESPN, ABC, NBC with Tom Brokaw, and other programs.

Lisa has been a coach for over 17 years, and many of the top ultrarunners in the world have succeeded with her expert guidance.

Not only is she a successful career woman and athlete, but she is also a loving mother of 2 beautiful daughters. Lisa is my coach and my friend.
www.dreamchaserevents.com

    

The Team

LAHCEN AHANSAL

Lahcen Ahansal will play a key role in Sandy's trek. Sandy will move to Zagora, Morocco, where she will begin training for the rigours of the Sahara Desert. Lahcen runs a trekking business in Zagora, and for 3 months the two will train together using his camels. Lahcen will be Sandy's guide through 3 countries...Morocco, Mauritania and Mali. They will begin the trek in March, and will part ways in the historic caravan city of Tombouctou. Lahcen's father made this journey years ago, and it has always been Lahcen's dream to follow in his fathers footsteps.

Lahcen and his brother Mohammed Ahansal are famous in Morocco for their athletic prowess. Both regulary compete in, and win, the worlds toughest ultramarathon stage race, The Marathon Des Sables. The prize money they have won has helped them to establish a thriving business. They offer camel expeditions, cultural tours and 4X4 adventures. You can contact them at ahansaltrekking@hotmail.com

 

  

 

 

Alan Hobson
Mount Everest Climber, Summiteer, Cancer Survivor, and Bestselling Author.

Alan has been a member of 3 expeditions to Mount Everest. He summited Everest in May 1997, becoming only the 10th Canadian in history to do so. He has also climbed the highest peaks in North and South America. Not only is Alan a high performance athlete and extreme adventurer, but he has also developed highly effective organizational skills. He knows about the power of preparation, and what it takes to overcome obstacles.

Alan has generously given of his time to help Sandy as she prepares for this monumental journey. His vast experience and knowledge has proven to be invaluable as Sandy strives to become the first woman in history to circle the Sahara. Through 2 years of guidance, Alan has remained a source of inspiration, not only as an athlete, but as a kindred spirit.

You can visit Alan's website at http://www.alanhobson.com

  

Photo by Jason Edwards, Copyright © 1997 by The Odyssey Adventure Society.
CALVIN ZARYSKI

Calvin Zaryski, MSc., is a professional endurance coach based in Calgary, Canada. He is a four-time National Triathlon Team Member, 2:43 marathoner and Ironman Hawaii finisher. The athletes he trains vary from Ironman Champions (Chuckie V) and Olympic Distance Professionals (Jill Savege), Mount Everest climbers (Alan Hobson), Ultra Marathoners (Sandra McCallum) and 2:12 marathoners (Ndolo Musembi) to first-time triathletes and runners. For more information about CoachCal and IronSpirit Triathlon Training Camps go to www.criticalspeed.com