From raging seas to African desert, Merino holds up
06 Sep '07
2 min read
Australian outdoor education teacher Shaun Bacon has recently put Australian Merino wool to the ultimate test by running a 221 kilometre marathon in the same long-sleeve Driza-Bone Activ shirt.
Held at the end of March, the Marathon des Sables lasts for six days and requires participants to run across a section of the Sahara desert in southern Morocco, carrying all supplies on their backs.
Shaun swears by his Driza-Bone Merino gear. The range was also worn by the crew of the Wild Oats XI when they won the Sydney to Hobart yacht race in 2006.
“I must admit I was sceptical and people did think I was strange, wanting to wear a long-sleeved wool garment with a high neck, but now I can't see how I could do without it,” Shaun said.
“Overall the 100 per cent Australian Merino wool Activ t-shirt surprised me in many ways: it was cool, it breathed well, I was protected from the sun and there was no friction.”
The Merino wool shirt really held up to the harsh conditions. The 22nd annual race involved 100,000 litres of bottled water, 5km of Elastoplast, and 125 litres of disinfectant!
Shane was so impressed by the shirt that he is keen to incorporate more high-performing Australian Merino wool clothing into his marathon gear for the 2008 season.
“I'll also put in some more pockets for things like headphones and a heart-rate monitor,” he said. “I'd love to get some wool gear to replace the shorts we wear running and the pantsworn for recovery.”
Next for Shaun is October's Jungle Marathon, a 200km race held over seven days in Brazil's Amazon jungle.
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