The Marathon des Sables

We can all try to imagine what it must be like out there after 3 hard days but I’ll let Mike tell it in his own words.

I’m well. Yesterday was frankly brutal … they shortened the distance but put in the longest toughest single day stage ever. With mountains appearing at over 30 miles, followed by miles of dunes. The total distance was 56 miles and it was one tough route. It was baking hot, sand blowing, head wind and then cold windy and uphill! I came in around two which has notched me up a few places, I think, but was longer than I thought I would be! Walking a bit gingerly today but all OK. Two tiny blisters!! some real horror stories walking around! Really hot again today.
Big hugs for Megs please, the pictures came out when I needed some strength. Last day looks cancelled, but they have made up for it, never been so hard. Lots of people ill too… eek!
People are still coming in now and will be all day. some walked right through the night.

..and an additional message received later…….

People are STILL coming in after leaving at 9:30am yesterday… one of our tent is yet to come in and another friend did a good job of yesterday after 7 IV bags…
They are setting up in the middle of the camp for the orchestra to play which will be surreal.
Difficult to describe how tough yesterday was but with only one day to go (30 miles) and the end of self sufficiency it’s going to be a case of keep drinking & run like hell. It may not be as long as last year but with only a 40 mile long stage last year we can’t complain! It’s pretty great running along with the helicopter flying around filming. Hell it’s just great all around!
May get another chance to email tomorrow, still waiting the second batch of email, hoping there are as many as last time!
Say hi to everyone.