On paper, today’s stage was rated the toughest. I personally found it a lot easier than the previous day, even though we did have to navigate over some massive vertical walls of sand and countless dunes. It’s amazing how much a difference a slight breeze can make. Although CP3 to CP4 was basically a burning hot furnace that I only just made it out of alive.

All in all though I had fun out there today slugging my guts out and was stoked to cross in 14^th place for the stage!

One marathon to go tomorrow and then on to the big bopper 86km stage 5 *gulp*.

Cruised through to CP1 without a problem, from there the on the heat just got hotter and hotter. I spent a little longer at each of the checkpoints to give my back a bit of a rest and also get some additional water than the mandatory 1.5L as I found myself running out well before CP2 and 3. My shoulder has seriously had it, although as each day passes, so does the weight of my pack. 

Apart from the suffocating heat (which had to have been over 40 degrees) and my aching shoulders the scenery out on the course today was awesome, It had a bit of everything – Massive rolling sand dunes (which I had the joy of running down and unfortunately also back up) beautiful cliff-top views and wide open spaces.

Another tough day awaits tomorrow and I can’t wait to hook in.

Stage 1 complete! Welcome to the Sahara Desert, and what a welcome it was.

That was by far the hardest 38km stage I’ve ever run/walked/crawled but that’s what I signed up for. It was tough but I had a ball. Had to keep pinching myself as I ran along, looking around. 
Temperature here is a barmy 38 degrees and rising (and that’s in the shade of the finishing tent).
The scenery here is amazing… Nothing but wide open spaces, I’ve never felt smaller and more insignificant in my life.

Just had a beef curry for lunch, tasted exactly the same as last night’s spaghetti Bolognase but I’m 800 calories better for it!
Running through the soft sand with my 11+kg pack felt like about double that for the last 10km but I plan on lightening the load by at least half a kg before tomorrow’s start.

I’m off to recover in the shade of my tent with 8 other destroyed lads.

That’s Joe McCann, reporting live from Africa….Until next time!