Hi all. Made it!! Not the time I was looking for, but came in at 15 hours, position 36 for the long day. Not sure where that places me overall, but I think cutting off almost 6 hours off Gobi time exceeded my expectations.

First 20km we ran through a massive gorge/canyon, had to wade through water, which just added to the toenail issue. Then through a very rocky section where inevitably, my knee finally caved and I took the first of 2 tumbles. Sean literally picked me up from the side of the road in section 4 and I hobbled along with him for 3 sections. Must have been a sight to see – he also has knee problems. Section 6 I then started bringing up, and diarrhea, so it was not too pleasant. At that stage I was battling with my head asking me what was I doing here, 6 toes trying to burst their way through the front of my shoes, my knee struggling to support my now very lean 67ish kg frame, and my stomach not feeling to good. Fortunately the thought of the frosty tomorrow won and I pushed through.

Thanks everyone for the messages, much appreciated.

Hi all, thanks to everyone for the comments, much appreciated. Completed day 4, it was tough going today, but came through with only 4 toenails looking like they want to fall off soon. Getting prepared for the long day tomorrow. Weather looks ok, getting much hotter. The mood in the tent has improved dramatically now that the weather has turned.

The terrain today was pretty mixed, rocky at stages but largely soft sand (not good on the knee). Still very beautiful though. At least I am making sure to take the time to stop every so often and have a look around, even if it is to look for the pink flags marking the course.

Came in 24^th today, so sort of keeping that position, but tomorrow is going to be tough, 86km. we are on the down slope now though, looking forward to the finish and a frosty or 3.

Thanks everyone for the messages, much appreciated. Well, last night was sooo much better, with great weather, managed to sleep well. I have been improving each day, first day came in 28^th, then 26^th and today came in 25^th, with a faster time by about 15 minutes. Today was quite tough, because it was a lot of running, sandy and one section through the salt plains.

Almost half way now, and so far everything holding up ok. I think I will lose at least 4 nails again, but I don’t want to open my taped feet until after tomorrows run.

The scenery today was again quite spectacular. Check the photos on the web site.

Matt, so glad to hear about the sharks, sorry about the bulls, but we know who the better team is.

Landie thanks for the email, we got the messages late because the weather was so bad they couldn’t set the cybertent up.

Well, looking forward to tomorrow, another 40km, but seems pretty ordinary day before the long day which is 86km.

Wow! What a start to the race. Pouring rain, freezing weather, but still an amazing place. The terrain, rock formations are just amazing. The race itself has been ok for me so far, my knee is painful but holding up (with a little help from medication).

Our first night in the tent was pretty awful, freezing cold and a very leaky tent. But it just got worse on night 2. I used my ground mattress to channel away the water, but slept in a very wet sleeping bag. Survived, and put in a decent day 2. Tomorrow is meant to be a tough day, so I will likely take it a little easier.

Our tent is great, many of the same tent members as Gobi, and generally quite fast. We are one of the fastest tents each day. Also one of the loudest – always joking and laughing even in what was a very miserable first two nights.