By the wonders of technology, Ben managed to send us daily reports of his progress in the toughest foot race on Earth.
Monday 18th April 2005 - The Homecoming
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Here are the daily reports Ben sent us while he was running the race. |
Sunday 10th April 2005 - Stage 1 (29km)
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It hasn't taken me long to realise why they call this the toughest race on earth. The heat from the sand dunes seems impossible to bear at times and the clouds of dust hundreds of pounding feet throw up hurt your eyes and clog your throat. Everyone around me is suffering from blisters - some have even taken to naming them in honour of their sponsors. |
Monday 11th April 2005 - Stage 2 (38km)
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I'm making quite respectable times, but the lead Moroccans seem super human and we mere mortals are in awe of their stamina. Its 7.30 and most competitors are exhausted and tucked up in their sleeping bags. So far we've covered 67 km and tomorrow the route covers another 38 km over some of the most difficult terrain the Sahara has to offer. Thank you for your many messages of support - believe me they are keeping me going. |
Tuesday 12th April 2005 - Stage 3 (38km)
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This has been tough. The heat and the sand have taken their toll and I really need to rest. We covered 38 km over some of the most difficult terrain today. One of the mountain passes had a rope at the top to help us descend safely into the soft dunes. Everyone is courteous and kind, but so focused. We have to be if we are to finish what we've started. Tomorrow is the big one. 76km - twice as far as today. Even the elite runners have gone to bed early. |
Wednesday 13th April / Thursday 14th 2005 - Stage 4 (76km)
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Today I went to hell and back, and there were moments when I was convinced I wouldn't make it. I didn't think it was possible to keep going for almost 23 hours without sleep in extreme temperatures of searing heat and biting cold, but here I am, back in the tent with other crazy idiots. Some are in a bad way. We all seem to have blisters on our blisters, and some have painful sunburn and sore eyes where the sand has rubbed behind glasses. But no-one is complaining - that would take too much energy. Veterans of this race say it's 15% physical and 85% mental and I know now what they mean. But I've come too far to give up now. Bring it on - but not until I've slept and slept. |
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Note from Editor: This report came in almost a day late. The organisers had only posted the top 20 results when we went to press. Still this was the big one - 76 km - and the time limit for completing this stage was 34 hours which was up at 7 p.m. on Thursday our time. We knew at checkpoint 3, runners were given light sticks to make them easier to spot in the darkness, and at checkpoint 4 a laser beam was projected into the night sky to help guide them. At five o'clock in the morning Ben was spotted, but we heard nothing until this arrived late on Thursday evening.
Friday 15th April - Stage 5
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Slept really well until my feet woke me up complaining. Today's race was hard - my whole body is battered and bruised and if I had a note from my mum to be excused for the rest of the event I might be tempted to hand it in. Your messages of support do lift my spirits and remind me how lucky I am to have beaten cancer. I won't give up. |
Saturday 16th April - Final Stage
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I've done it and I'm in relatively good shape considering. The last few miles were the longest of the race. I kept thinking so near and yet so far. The elite runners waited for the last man to finish and we all sportingly left as we arrived - together. The desert is behind me and a hot shower and clean clothes await. I willl probably need some medical attention but nothing serious and a soft bed will make my life complete for now. We fly back to Britain on Monday. | |
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