Fame!

We set the boys a challenge of appearing in the photos or video footage of the event... and they seem to have managed it -the 2 guys in the light colours in the middle of this picture are Ben & Nick at the start of stage 5 (left-Ben 807, right-Nick 832) from the photos on the official MdS website.

Claire

Stage 6 Results - THE FINISH!

Stage 6 results are up - Nick and Ben finished the 17.5km stage in 2hrs 42minutes, and more importantly completed the 23rd edition of the Marathon des Sables!!


You can see a summary of their results for the whole event here (Nick) and here (Ben). They are placed 512th (in provisional results) for the whole week which is excellent, however I think for this event, it is definitely the finishing that counts.


Claire

News from Nick and Stage 5 Results

The results are up for stage 5 - they completed the marathon distance day in 7hr 42min 23sec, amazingly they were running on average much faster than any of the previous stages!

The last email from Nick below:
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Wow that was the toughest marathon I have run! The 1st Km was fine but mentally it got so tough after CP1. It was all mental...thinking that in 24 hours I would be soaking in a bath, also we had done so well on the monster 75kms it was hard psyching ourselves up again for the end longest stage. It was another toughy and I've just heard it got up 51 degs today, the hottest yet. It was hot but I am amazed at what the body can do when pushed. I finished at 17:45, its now 18:40 and I can see people still crossing the line from where I sit. We're still waiting on 2 tent mates. Only now do I feel that I will complete the MDS.
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A photo of the marathon stage start - they all get new race numbers at the beginning of this stage to smarten themselves up a bit for the media as this day gets quite a lot of press interest!!

Last chance to write a message of support..

The message service to competitors will be closed at 5pm tonight (GMT+1), so it's the last chance to send your final words of encouragement and congratulations to the boys today!

You can send them a message here, or by clicking on the link to the right of the blog.

Nick Summers - 832.
Ben Ragless - 807.

Claire

More News from Nick - Stage 4

Below is an email received from Nick this evening after their rest day today.
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As I said we have been holding back a bit as we knew over a 75km (47.5 mls) distance we'd make a load of time on other competitors. We were really strong the whole way, as it got dark we weren't once overtaken! We did it in 16hrs 57mins. The leaders had a 3hrs wait before starting and caught us at checkpoint 2, they are extraordinary people. A good 75% was on sand again, really tough going-note to self I should have brought poles! Ben is a machine with them, I have to put so much more effort in. Kit wise everything is working but can't wait for a decent meal on Saturday! Today we are resting in the tent and fixing up blisters. Whilst writing this message our last tent mate has just crossed the finish line to a round of applause.The cut off is 30 or 34hrs, we finished at 02:12 this morning. Looking forward to reading my messages later today with tomorrows marathon looming.
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The official results for stage 4 are available and some great photos are here and here. Here is one of the amazing laser which helps to guide the competitors to the checkpoints at night... like something out of Star Wars!

Satellite link up - Stage 4 news!

I received a surprising phone call at work earlier - Nick on a satellite phone from the Sahara! He was phoning to say that they completed the 75.5km of the 'long day' (stage 4) in 16hrs 57mins (I think..not sure about the minutes), getting in at 2am this morning. It's a really great time, and they were very happy with their performance (again 2nd and 3rd back to their tent), and looking forward to a rest day today.

They sound very positive about the remaining two days. Everything is going well - a few blisters, but they are dealing with them on their own, so not too bad. All the kit is performing well and they are pleased with the amount of food they took. They sound like they are thoroughly enjoying themselves, although Nick is sick of the porridge for breakfast, swapping it for a peperami this morning!!

Nick also asked to pass on a big thank you for all the messages of support he has received. He was the envy of his tentmates yesterday as he had a huge bundle of well-wishes, and they provide a huge boost each evening. Keep on sending them as they have 2 more days left - a marathon distance stage on Friday and a short (by their standards!) stage on Saturday.

Claire

No results yet....

...Just to say that I am not shirking my duties! Today is the infamous 'long day' which this year is 75.5km (about 47miles). The leaders finished in yet another amazingly fast time of 6 1/2 hrs!! However, it is likely that most 'normal' competitors will be walking through the night or choose to sleep at a checkpoint and walk the remaining sections tomorrow which is officially a rest day. I expect that some results will start to appear tomorrow morning... I will post as soon as I hear news....

Claire

(photo is competitors climbing Jebel el Oftal -a serious start to stage 4)