Manika Gamble recently etched her name in history by becoming the first African-American woman to complete a 155-mile race through the Namib Desert in Namibia, Africa. The 34-year-old trailblazer is now aiming to be the first African American to compete in the Grand Slam Plus ultra-marathon series.
The 4 Deserts Grand Slam Plus is regarded as one of the most difficult ultra-marathon series in history, with only 18 people having completed it.
The series includes five ultramarathons in some of the world’s most harsh and remote deserts in Namibia, Mongolia, Jordan, Antarctica, and the Atacama. Each race lasts seven days and spans 155 miles, requiring participants to be completely self-sufficient and carry their supplies, such as hygiene products, medical equipment, and clothes.
RELATED STORIES
Gamble told Because of Them We Can, “To be the first Black person to attempt to complete this mission is so motivating and inspiring for me to show the world that we too can be in places far and wide, and with the support of our community, we can go places we’ve never been before.”
This revelation inspired her desire to take on the Grand Slam Plus challenge, which is regarded as one of the most demanding marathon endurance challenges in the world.
Gamble launched a GoFundMe page to help finance her ground-breaking expedition; so far, it has raised $13,000 of the $50,000 target.
Before her earlier race in the Namibian desert, she told Windhoek Observer, “In middle school I was in my PE (physical education) class and my teacher told me how I ran so well and I should consider being on the track team. That was the start of a now lifelong passion for running. I went on to run from 8th grade through college as a hurdler/sprinter. After college I transitioned to longer distances like 30 minute runs, 5ks, and here I am now years later embarking on an international Ultra marathon, taking on a 155 mile ultra marathon in Namibia, Africa!”
Gamble attended college in North Carolina, USA, and earned a bachelor’s degree in human relations. She relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, following college and enrolled in a Master’s degree program, where she earned a degree in clinical mental health counseling.
