Stage
5– Sand, Rock and Springs
Posted 7pm
Stage 5 has come to an end. Incredible day!
Camp Bahariya is perched up on a plateau looking out as far
as the eye can see onto the Black Desert. The first competitors
crossed the finish line just before 6pm last night. Ray Zahab
came in with a total time of 9:58. Kevin Lin 10:32, and Joe
Holland, 10:50. Intermittently all night long, competitors
came up the path lighted with glow sticks and cross the line.
The highlights of the day were the village checkpoint and
the cool water spring waypoint.
The final competitors to cross the line with
much fanfare were Laurie Brophy and Peter Clark at 1:50 today,
31 hours after they started. Both looked great and were asked
to present the sweep camels with their medals since they won't
be joining us at the pyramids tomorrow.
This evening competitors are relaxing, preparing
for the short final stage tomorrow. They are sitting around
a campfire listening to n Egyptologist. Music and dancing
to follow. A guest speaker is currently talking about the
pyramids A band, belly dancers and a guest speaker will be
in camp tonight to entertain all under the stars before the
12 midnight bus departure for the Stage 6 start line.
Posted 4:00pm
The village rolled out the red carpet…literally with several
mats laid out in the shade of a eucalyptus tree at checkpoint
20. Runners are reclining, drinking tea and relaxing during
the mandatory rest stop. Village children are milling around
watching the unusual parade of colors, gadgets and odoriferous
foreigners that have invaded their community. A few more competitors
have scratched but most are pushing onwards.
Very cool morning for a run/walk through the Black Desert
but the sun is hot now. Temps are rising for the usual afternoon
scorching that everyone is used to by now. Posted 3am
Over halfway there but today promises to really sort out the
competitors. The fastest 50 get to sleep in until their 7am
start while the rest of the pack will start even earlier at
5am. 80km today but lots in store for the competitors. More
sand and rocks but also a surprise drink at the 100 mile mark,
a visit in a village teahouse at checkpoint 20 (mandatory
stop required so all can enjoy) and then a cold water spring
shortly after to boost spirits. Stay tuned for more reports
later.
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