I made it!  A long day - 12 hours which is much better than I had anticipated.  I was figuring around 14-15 hours but once I found I was on pace to make it in before dark I just kept pushing forward.  The first stage was 15k and started with salt flats, then went to single track where I was able to run for a good part of the stage, the second stage was crusty terrain which is hard to run on, so a fast walk.  Between the 3rd and 4th checkpoint we had a massive sand dune to climb, as I approached it I was thinking they can't expect us to climb that, but soon after I saw a few competitor's making there way up, it was a 5 min climb.  I arrived at checkpoint 4 feeling great, and made good time getting to checkpoint 5 where I caught up (briefly) with the 1st and 2nd women.  I tried to keep them in my sight but they quickly pulled ahead.  From checkpoint 6 to camp my legs were done, I pulled out the ipod and tried to keep a steady pace, it was a very scenic stage, as we ran thru the bottom of a dry creek passing.  If I had more energy I would  have stopped for pictures but my 12 hour time line was ticking.  The final section was on a gravel road and you could see for miles but unfortunately couldn't see camp so it seemed miles away when it should have been within sight, I kept searching the landscape and final saw the famous flags!  At this point three guys from England had just passed me running, so it motivated me to run and I ran the final section in.  It's an amazing feeling to cross that line after a long day in the sun, a wonderful sense of accomplishment and relief it's over!  Today is rest day, and I have a two small blisters (sympathy blisters as my tent mates call them) to take care of, but overall feet and legs are in good shape. A few of my tent mates have serious blisters but they are pulling thru which is incredible considering the terrain and distance, seriously hard core!
 
Looking forward to tomorrows final run and a shower!
 
Thanks again for all your support, it's been fantastic and so helpful!
 
Love Chris

Another long day!  Had a great day today, the first stage was difficult, started with a couple of climbs and quite a difficult downhill at the end of a sand dune.  After checkpoint one, the terrain was flat but still rocky so didn't run a lot, the third stage was the salt flats which weren't as bad as the ones we had already gone thru, but still not runable terrain for me so lots of power walking, the final stage was 6k on a dirt road and I ran what I could maybe half but the legs are just tired.  I came in third today and they actually checked my backpack to see I still had all the mandatory gear!   Darrin is doing fantastic for his first race, I haven't seen the stats but must be in the top 5.  When I come in he is relaxing in the tent and still has a ton of energy!
 
The camp atmosphere is fantastic, I'm loving every moment of it!  Slept well last night as we were on softer ground and it wasn't too cold.  Hopefully have a good spot again tonight as the big day is tomorrow! 
 
Thanks again for the blog comments and emails they really help me thru the stages.  Appreciate that you are following along.
 
Love Chris

Another tough day, we started with 4-5km of salt flats which are  brutal, so hard to walk on and you have to keep looking at your feet to watch every step.  I was able to run off and on over the next 5km until the first check point, terrain over the balance of the stage was varied, crusty ground, soft sand, sand dunes, and more salt flats, managed to run a bit.  The last few miles were just cruel, we could see the camp but we were still sand dunes and many climbs away, the finish was at the top of a long climb, one you have to stop part way up to catch your breath.  I finished feeling exhausted but have had time to recover and feeling much better, and will be ready for tomorrow.  One small blister today, but after the feet fixing and taping going on in the tent this morning, I don't think they would consider it a real blister.  Two of my tent mates had their toe nail drilled - ouch.  Everyone did well today. 
 
I can't say the scenery was great today as I spent most of the day looking at my feet, trying not to trip.  My gaiters are shredded so have a bit of fixing to do tonight and I broke one pole, which should be fixable.
 
The event has been great and the volunteers are outstanding, it is a real boost coming into each checkpoint to everyone cheering and helping us out.  Thank you for all your emails it really keeps me going.  Off to get my duct tape......
 
Love Chris

Very tough day, they threw everything at us today – water crossing, soft sand, hard sand, climbs, rocky terrain and a sand dune!  The sand dune was a blast to go down and the river crossing thru the canyons were fantastic.  Feet were wet for most of the first stage but quickly dried and I still don’t have any blisters, yeh!  Shoulders are sore, still carrying about 22 lbs, but a few more days and it should be more comfortable.  I was out there a long time today as the terrain was tough, after the last checkpoint I had to play games to get me thru the last 10.5 k, so I would run two flags, walk two flags or run for a min, walk for a min, or visualize my regular 10k run and where I would be on that run and it would give me a visual of what was left.  It’s such a scenic course which really helps.  Tent mates are great, everyone is doing well and Sophie is currently second!  This girl is hard core and has an impressive running resume.
 
Love Chris 

Had a good day today but it was tough, lots of different terrain, ups and downs and could feel the effects of the altitude while running.  I ran as often as I could and managed to run most of the last 3k as it was downhill and we are now somewhere around 8000 ft.  The views are great and varied along the course, no soft sand and lots of small rocks to travel over which made the running difficult at times.  We started at 8AM and the temp was very comfortable, a bit cool and it really started to get hot as the day went on.
 
Note to anyone thinking of doing this race bring a sleeping pad, the ground is uncomfortable and cold. I was only getting about two hours of sleep at a time as I had to keep shifting around but we go to bed early so still got enough sleep.  At lower altitude it should be warmer tonight.
 
Thanks for all your support!  And a special thanks to my employer, The Peelle Company who made a generous donation to an industry related foundation - EESF - Elevator and Escalator Safety Foundation, in support of my efforts here in the desert!
 
Heading back to the tent to put my feet up!  Until tomorrow...
 
Love Chris

We are at camp one, fantastic views - it is going to be an amazing course!  No water crossing tomorrow they start on stage two.  Feeling ok with the altitude but haven't been running yet.  Really want to get going, arriving a day few days early just gave me more time to over think this but it was good to pick up the last minutes things I needed.
 
Love Chris

Had an easy day today walking around town and hanging out at the hotel meeting other competitors. Did a final pack, counting out the electrolytes, picked up the extra food, squeezing out air from all the packages, I don't have any room left but I think it's around 20 lbs without the water, which is less than I have been training with. I feel great, well hydrated and excited to start but a bit nervous after reading the email that came out this morning from RTP, but I signed up for an adventure so here we go. Tomorrow we have gear check and transfer to camp 1, until later... Love Chris

Hi Everyone!  I've arrived, good flights and have met up with several competitors, a few new and a few from the Sahara.  Only one issue at customs in Chile, they took my almonds, seems you can bring them in if they are roasted or salted but since they were natural they aren't allowed.  Not sure what the issue is but I will have to go shopping tomorrow to find more calories.  Just heading for dinner.