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Distance:
30.8 km / 19.3 m
Camp Twin Peaks to Camp
Icebergs
October 29, Camp Icebergs,
5:05pm: It is a beautiful evening at
camp. The sun is setting on sand and the
strange limestone formations around us that look
like icebergs. All competitors are now in
camp. Jacqueline Eastridge of the US and
Paul Mac Johnston of Scotland were the last to
cross the line. The sun stayed strong all
day and temperatures in the high 90's but many
returning 4 Deserts competitors claimed it was
cooler than last year. A few competitors
are worried about the blisters already forming
on their feet. Today's course included
lots of sand, but nothing like what lies ahead.
All blogs will be posted in
the next few hours.
October 29, Checkpoint #2,
12:30pm: Its midday here at checkpoint #2
and almost 2/3 of the runners are through.
Its hot, but the breeze seems to help. The
frontrunners are arriving at the finish line
now. Jimmi Olsen of Denmark still holding
his own against Korean Ahn Byeung Sik. Victoria
Taylor, UK, is currently in the lead for women.
Victoria and Andrew Watkins-Ball are clearly the
new title holders for power couple on the
course. All others seem to be in great
spirits because of the terrain and scenery.
Michael Jones broke
into song while filling his water bottles at
CP2. We thought maybe he was dehydrated
but no, he was genuinely feeling good.
Doreen Hoffman, USA, is looking strong on the
course and said she felt good.
October 29, Checkpoint
#1, 10:05am: To the sounds of Egyptian
drummers and flute players, the Sahara Race
(Egypt) 2006 started this morning promptly at
9am. Runners headed off into the chalk
formations following the pink flags that they
will learn to love over the next 6 days!
The mood was festive around camp this morning as
everyone seemed ready to get the race started.
Rumors in camp last night were that today's
stage would be 50km so there was a little relief
when course team member, Bill Spenney, gave the
briefing at 8:30am and announced it was
30km/19m.
The temperature is rising
fast at 10am! Last night was cool and
breezy but the sun today has quickly changed
that! More later from the
course....frontrunners Ahn Byeung Sik of Korea
and Dane Jimmi Olsen have just passed through
the first checkpoint. Francesco Galanzino
of Italy followed along with Johann Boost of the
UK. Johann says "It's beautiful out
there".
Click on the video icon below
to watch the course fly-through.
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