Day 2

Course:

Stage 2 traverses some of the most beautiful rock formations in the White Desert with animals, birds and mushroom formations dotting the landscape and the rough country where competitors will traverse. The stage begins with a difficult section followed by more moderate terrain. Competitors will cover almost a marathon distance of 41.8 kilometers (26.1 miles). The terrain is sandy and rocky throughout the stage, however, a small spring is located close to the second checkpoint. The leaders will complete the section in three hours while the back of pack will again take nearly 12 hours.

Stage 1

好的开始是成功的一半！

HH came in tops amongst the Singaporeans for the first stage at 5hrs 41min. Joyce fared well too, finishing the 35km at 6hrs 45min.

Course:

Beginning around the oasis of Farafra, competitors begin Stage 1 in an area surrounded by white rocks in the heart of the White Desert. The first stage is moderate with a total of 35 kilometers (21.9 miles). There are four checkpoints with mainly flat, rocky and sandy ground. The fast competitors are expected to take 3 hours, while the slower competitors will take up to 12 hours to complete the stage.

Pre-Race

Movenpick Resort that the gers stayed b4 race

We r checked in for race at 10am, leaving camp at 12pm. We got a surprise this morning. Will be covering 253 to 258km.

Hmm...seems like the 2 gers are gonna get every penny of their race fee worth :P

Our Iron Ladies to the Sahara!

The journey begins from here, this time the distance is a little longer, in a different environment and surrounded by different elements (less humid, sandy wherever we go?). This is my first desert race but we aren't the first Singaporean to take part in such events. And in about 24 hours, HH and i will be departing for Cairo.

Last nite, we went to see Hwee Hoon & Joyce off at the airport. They are embarking on an exciting journey to Egypt, for a race of their lifetime - Sahara Desert Run!!!

They are the 1st 2 ladies of our running group to attempt this amazing feat. Since the day i knew HH, she has been toying with the idea of a desert run. Now that the day has finally arrived, i am so keyed up for her :)

We had quite a big send-off party..with HH's hubby, Joanne, Cheemeng, Linda, Clarence, Catherine, Charles..and 2 friends who surprised us at the airport - Kim, who came back from Oz & Wilson, from his Kona Ironman.

Our Gobi'08 finishers taking a shot with the Sahara'08 finishers-to-be

The 2 gers bumped into the last "Singaporean" who is in the race. Lloyd was identified by his Salomon Raid Revo 30. He left some of us puzzling about the contents of his small bag which he checked in. The size of his luggage (which looked like a gym bag) pales in comparison with the gers' duffel bags. I wonder what type of race food is in his "doraemon" bag...

As we bade our good wishes to the trio and saw them into the departure hall, the rear view of the 2 petite ladies with their backpacks resembled those of school kids...like 2 school girls following a teacher to class.

May Sahara be a memorable & delightful classroom for them in the next 1 week!

HH & Joyce: we shall be rooting for yall at home! GAMBATE!!!