Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon 2007 ~ Results and Article

Article ~ by Colleen Jacka

Day 1 ~ Desert initiation

People speak about all types of rites of passage, but for the participants in this year’s Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon, the desert served up a tough initiation into South Africa’s “Big Daddy” of trail running events. With the mercury climbing steadily throughout the day, 34 athletes tackled the 28 km route with varying degrees of ease.

Catching up with the athletes on the start line in the Augrabies National Park, it was clear to see that the Kalahari held a different appeal for all. For some it was about finishing a challenge that had eluded them previously; for some it was an opportunity to raise money for a variety of charities – whilst for others the challenge was more about conquering the desert itself.

While most competitors made it through to Check Point One without too much trouble, Poi Blignaut and Henkie Griessel struggled to find the course markers and ended up clocking up a number of extra kilometres before being guided into the first Check Point by some of the crewmembers.

It was a clearly disappointed and exhausted Poi and Henkie that represented the last of the field through this point on the route.

But much further up the field, a similar fate had met Sarel Adams – one of the favourites to win the race – who also managed to wander from the marked course and go through the first Check Point behind some of his biggest rivals including Chuck Walker of the USA and Michael Hutchesson of Australia.

The rest of the field seemed to be coping with the first section of the day and the distance between the first and second Check Points was without any serious incident.

The desert lifts its game

While some of the British and South African runners may have been pacing themselves towards cheering their teams on in the Rugby World Cup Final that night – the desert had some game plans of its own.

Leaving Check Point two runners had to negotiate their way up a dry river gorge in the heat of the day. Having made up time between the two Check Points, Sarel was the first to tackle the gorge and emerged relatively quickly to claim the first place into the finishers’ camp.

Commenting on the event from the massage table, Sarel said that he was enjoying the race despite the tough climb through the gorge where the heat had been at its worst.

Expecting to see Chuck emerge from behind the desert bush not far behind Sarel, some crew members were surprised to see Michael Hutchesson coming home nearly an hour behind the South African.

Michael too seemed a little surprised that Chuck was not ahead of him saying that the American had entered the river gorge in front of him. He said that although he was expecting the temperatures to soar, he had not anticipated it being as hot as it had become towards the end of his day. “I could’ve boiled a kettle out there,” he said.

By the time the British athlete, Sam Ryall entered the camp, organisers realised that Chuck must have left the marked course and they set out to investigate. In the meantime Phil Langman (UK), Iain Lomas (UK), Craig Petersen (South Africa) and Michael Firmstone (UK) all finished their first day in the desert.

Chuck eventually arrived in camp in a time of 05:26 together with Ronan Gallagher (Australia) and Greg Nerf (South Africa). It was later discovered that Chuck had found his way to a parallel river gorge and added a number of unnecessary kilometres to his race.

Meanwhile as one by one the trekkers emerged from the river gorge and headed towards the camp, it became far less about covering the maximum amount of distance in the minimum amount of time. For most it was a “one step at a time” journey. A journey from shady bush to shady bush as well as a mental journey as their heads battled their bodies to stay in the game.

It was a philosophical Malebo Kolobe who mulled her choices under a small bush. Quoting a Zulu parable she said that it does not help the goat to cry before it is slaughtered because the outcome is the same anyway. So she had decided to tackle the desert with a smile.

Lessons from a cruel teacher

The heat refused to let up even as the shadows became longer and the sky just a little less bright – for the desert was teaching the humans a lesson. It was a lesson in preparation and a lesson in survival. For nature knows the human’s mistaken belief that they are omnipotent and aims on occasion to correct this misconception.

Alerted to the fact that 60-year old Claudio Colet from Italy was taking strain in the river gorge, the organisers immediately dispatched the event doctor, Charl Malherbe of Medi Clinic to the scene.

At the same time crewmembers had initiated a search for Tim Doyle (a South African living in Canada) who was in the Kalahari to complete some unfinished business after having to withdraw from the race in 2006 due to severe blistering. This time he was battling the end of flu at the start of the race and taking some strain, but it was a wrong turn that eventually saw him taking shelter under a tree and hanging up his rescue flag in defeat.

After combing the river gorge and finding no sign of Tim, a 4x4 was dispatched to the next river gorge where Tim was easily located and brought back to safety. It seems that he had followed the tracks of Chuck Walker who had also wandered up the wrong path earlier in the day.

But it was a tougher ordeal for the Italian. Unable to walk out of the river gorge he had to be removed by Quad bike and 4x4. A quick thinking group of crewmembers rallied in support of the runner who was severely dehydrated and suffering from heat stroke.

The Medi Clinic team administrated a drip and Claudio was taken to Upington where he was admitted for observation in a stable condition after some worrying moments in the bush.

It was an extremely tired and relieved crew that was able to account for every runner in the field before emerging from the desert to rest for the next day. The participants were treated to the unique experience of watching the Rugby World Cup projected onto the wall of old garage in the middle of the desert.

Initiated into the ways of the desert? Yes, certainly it was a harsh baptism, but then it’s not called an EXTREME marathon for nothing is it? For some it proved just a little too much and at the end of the first day there were four withdrawals.

Day 2 ~ One step at a time

There’re a number of ways to tackle the desert, but the one that makes the most sense is to take it one step at a time. While your mind may decide to wander off to the finish line from time to time – it’s ultimately wiser to keep yourself focused on what your feet are doing at any given moment.

With the Rugby World Cup Finals now a thing of the past (and a South African win a little bit of a boost for the local athletes) all competitors woke up to a day in the Kalahari with no more distractions. They also woke up to another day of extreme heat and a 34 km trek that would take them up the base of Spielkop Mountain.

The desert certainly was not ready to make things any easier for the athletes as they once again climbed out of and into river beds – and winded their way towards the second camp at Dabaras where a cool pool awaited them.

For the previous day’s first-home, Sarel Adams, the day was over in just under five hours despite battling a bout of nausea walking through the river gorge. For Australian Michael Hutchesson, catching Sarel was the high point of his day. Both athletes finished in a time of four hours and 52 minutes.

Chuck Walker seemed determined to make up some of the time he had lost on day one when he meandered off course and today he lived up to his own nickname for himself; the “American Canon Ball”. Making a huge impression on some of the crewmembers the rather intense athlete is well aware of his human competition in the desert and seems to have his own unique way of dealing with the Kalahari’s set of challenges as well.

He was the third man in, 26 minutes behind the two leaders who, at this stage, seem secure in the lead that they have over the rest of the field. Chuck, however, has managed to work his way up from eighth in the overall standings and is also in a comfortable position in third position.

But all this testosterone aside – the one small wonder of the desert this year is Anne Centner. She was here last year when she stuck in a trio with blind athlete Geoff Hilton Barber and was forced to retire from the marathon much earlier than her head wanted to.

A small petite woman of 63 years old, Anne lined up on day one with her mind made up. The determination was palpable and she is a walking example (pardon the pun) that age is irrelevant when it comes to attain goals, living dreams or simply walking through the desert.

Yes certainly the ladies’ field is vastly different to that of last year, but get this --- 63-year old Anne Centner is the leading lady out here in the Kalahari. And so as many of the much younger ladies retire from the challenge, Anne says it’s her “sheer bloody determination” that keeps her going.

The next closest lady is Louise Lambrechts who is tackling the marathon with her husband, Burger. They’ve become a consistent team out in the desert and seem to be coping with the varying challenges between each Check Point and from the start to the finish every day.

There are only two other ladies left out here still intent on finishing this tough ordeal. Wife of Sarel, Mary Adams is taking it at a steady pace whilst Malebo Kolobe, the first African lady to take on the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is faring well for someone who admits to only having covered a distance of 35km during her preparation for the race.

For Heather Ciavarella of Canada, it was the onset of blistering that helped make up her mind to join her boyfriend, Tim Doyle, on the sidelines of this year’s marathon.

Out here for the fourth time, Dirk Staal was unable to get near his goal of completing a challenge that has so far eluded him. Despite being a strong athlete and having finished the Addo 100 Miler, the extreme heat of the Northern Cape has taken its toll and he has once again had to withdraw.

The other statistic today is Philip Waudby, one of our runners who is raising money for charities. He was raising money for the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital. The 54 year-old running enthusiast from Benoni Northerns Athletics Club was made aware of the funds needed to get children healed.

So at the end of two days out here in the sun there are seven runners who have drawn their own line in the sand and decided not to go any further. For the rest of the field the daunting challenge of the long day is still ahead and they know that there’s only one real way to tackle this marathon through the desert and that’s one challenging step at a time.

Day 3&4 ~ R-E-S-P-E-C-T

There’s an old song that spells out the word RESPECT and it’s a word that plays a huge part in the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon and in particular on the long day where runners are faced with the daunting distance of 75km! They learn to respect the terrain, the elements and certainly to respect themselves as they cross into the finishers’ camp.

You’ve also got to respect the organizers and crew for ensuring the safe passage of all the runners throughout this long section that takes them through no less than nine Check Points. It is at these Check Points where crewmembers get the opportunity to assess the runners; encourage those that need it and generally keep up motivation levels.

A staggered start saw the weaker runners setting off first. Today’s long haul will see all of the runners having to face yet a further test as they confront the stark darkness of the desert at night. With the organizers choosing the marathon dates according to the scheduled full moon, the runners are also assured of spectacular sky views as one of earth’s neighbours peaks across the galaxy at us.

The other challenge of a night section is of course that of the runners having to face up to a drop in temperature. After a hot two days, however, the somewhat chilly evening may have been most welcomed by more than one of the runners.

Another welcome change was that of the predominance of dirt tracks for as the organizers point out the day is long and hard enough without throwing in more “hectic terrain” as well. Today’s route took the field through the spectacular rose quartz quarry where sparkly pink rocks dot the landscape and tempt even the weariest runner to add a small bit of extra weight to their pack.

Today the unique beauty of the Kalahari is abundantly clear – although for some of the runners it is just about keeping their heads down and feet moving forward. The Quiver tree is surreal plant that grows here and there in this region – but today’s route provides runners with the treat of seeing the statuesque plant popping up in a natural plantation.

British athlete, Edward Chapman, having learned the skill of talking to trees during the Addo 100 Miler from Estienne, became quite friendly with this species until a kudu jumped out about 5 metres ahead of him. He’s not sure which of them got more of a fright.

For some, however, the natural beauty was not enough to pull them through and the long stretch was more than many shredded feet could bear. Perhaps the most surprising withdrawal, however, was Sarel Adams who called an end to his Kalahari experience at Check Point 4 where he was once again suffering from nausea. As the overall leader at the end of the previous leg and a two-time finisher of the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon Sarel’s withdrawal leaves the race wide open for the likes of Chuck and Michael.

Kalahari Express Train

From all accounts American Chuck Walker was like an express train in the desert with no scheduled stops to make and, finishing in a time of just over 10 hours, he says he is motivated by the Helen Keller quote; “Character and strength are built through trials and hardships only!”

Chuck challenges himself to one extreme endurance event a year. His home-grown training program consists of a six-month build up to the event where his initial aim is to complete 20 miles a week and to increase this by 5 miles every month until the scheduled event.

It’s an approach that seems to be keeping this engine fuelled and giving the other top contenders something to worry about.

Michael Hutchesson is not about to let Chuck out of his sight and seems keen to stay on the tracks of the American Express. And although finishing some 40 minutes behind Chuck today, he is still leading in the overall standing by 36 minutes. But if he’s not able to up his pace this may not be an impossible gap for Chuck to close.

These two had a significant lead on the next runner, Greg Nerf of South Africa who finished over two hours behind Michael – but more than three hours ahead of another Australian, Ronan Gallagher who ended the day with Iain Lomas of the UK.

From blistering fast to blistering feet

For many the word blistering had nothing to do with their quickness of pace during the day and everything to do with nasty looking feet. Blisters will always be a huge factor in a race like this and many of the competitors needed attention.

For Michael Firmstone this meant a Friars Balsam injection that “stung like hell” while Jean Taris had to cut blister skin off his feet that were the size of his palm. Both of his feet caught the attention of the medical staff who were surprised that he was able to continue in that condition.

The inspirational Anne Centner lost a toenail during this section, but nevertheless seems in good spirits and is determined to see the finish line.

Another determined competitor is Marius Andrews whose one shoe became a Kalahari casualty. Forced to strap one slip slop to the bottom of his shoe, Marius has strained his shin badly but is not willing to quit.

For Mary Adams it was her feet that ultimately decided her fate in this marathon and she withdrew at Check Point 4 to join Sarel off the course.

Sam Ryall who spent time in a heat chamber in the UK under the supervision of sports scientists in order to acclimatize and prepare for the desert heat discovered that there is no true substitution for the real thing as he was forced to abandon his quest due to nausea and heat exhaustion.

The other two withdrawals today were Franz Brunner from Switzerland who had his second drip of the race as well as Malebo Kolobe whose feet refused to let her pick up the pace and ultimately saw her only able to complete 32 kilometres in 13 hours.

Respect. Ah yes a small word out here in the desert, but one that spells out more than admiration. R-E-S-P-E-C-T – the desert demands it – the runners deserve it.

Day 5 ~ Renewed energy for desert runners

The rest day after the long 75km haul through the desert may have given some the time to reflect on the experience and it seems that there is a renewed sense of competitiveness amongst the runners as the end of the race lures some towards thinking about not just finishing – but winning!

Louise Lambrechts may have been worried about finishing, but now with two hours between her and Anne, she has her mind set on another goal – getting to that finish line ahead of any other ladies. “It will be a great achievement if I can win,” says the 31-year-old South African who is out here just six weeks after having undergone a hysterectomy.

She’s tackling the marathon with her husband Burger but believes that she can probably do everything he does just a little better. And so with a new mission she attacked today’s course with vigour and left her husband to fend for himself.

By the end of the day she had accomplished two things. She had beaten Anne to the finishers’ camp by just under two hours and she had proven that indeed she was better than Burger at trekking through the Kalahari.

At the end of the day, Anne is just managing to hang onto her overall lead by 12 minutes and Louise looks determined to close that gap before the finish line. Incidentally Louise is now almost two hours ahead of her husband in the overall standings.

Amongst the guys, it was once again the American Express that left the station with very few scheduled stops to make. Chuck did not seem to have too much difficulty with the steep and rocky terrain of day five and finished the 41 kilometres in three hours and 59 minutes – a full hour ahead of Michael Hutchesson. This means that Chuck has an overall lead of 24 minutes on the Australian and looks set to claim first place. Greg Nerf is putting in some consistent performances that will probably see him finish in an overall third place.

For the rest of the field the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is less about race pace and more about a safe pace to the ultimate finish line. But the race was over for David Martin of the UK who was suffering from extreme blisters and had to pull out. More used to paddling races, this runner has never even tackled a full marathon before attempting to run through the desert.

The KAEM seems to have a strange allure for some and attracts an interesting assortment of both crew and runners. This year is no different.

Young Stuart Wainwright caught the attention of most right from the start. Sporting a full beard and the youngest on the race, this South African is attempting to clock up 3000 kilometres of races between Comrades 2007 and 2008. He thinks this Kalahari marathon is a great way to claim some miles, but knows that if he does not finish none of the agonising kilometres will count.

Quick with a smile and an integral part of the crew search party to locate Tim Doyle on the very first day, Stuart seems to have become a source of entertainment for the crew who have taken to plaiting his beard into ponytails.

Big Dave Carter was also hard to miss from the start.  With a giant presence and tattoos to match, this Brit says he will never buy a raffle ticket again in his life! He won his entry to this race in a raffle he entered at the Marathon of Britain. For him reaching the finish line on the last day will probably prove that the raffle win was actually a prize.

The Kalahari Darts – a foursome from the UK – have also definitely added flavour to this year’s event.  Sam Ryall, Iain Lomas, Michael Firmstone and Phil Langman are raising money for the Children’s Hospice South West, which helps more than 200 children and their families each year. At the finishers’ camp today they were celebrating Michael Firmstone’s birthday with a dinkie bottle of whiskey that had been carried to this point – with a further celebration planned for tomorrow when Iain takes his turn as the birthday boy.

Then there’s Greg Nerf who somehow thought that he would have the energy to play Frisbee at the end of each day and has carried the small plastic disc with him from the start. He admits that he is prepared to throw it, but afraid if he has to catch it – it will require some running on his part.

On the whole, however, spirits in the camp are high as runners receive emails from their family and friends and even get to write some back.  They’re also conspiring against race organiser, Estienne and plan a little mutiny when they all reach the ultimate finish line. 

Day 6 ~ A steady pace gets the job done

With just two days of the challenging Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon ahead of them, the runners were treated to slightly less cruelty from the sun on the sixth day. And while the crewmembers had already been languishing in the safari luxury of Camp Khamkirri, today marked the athletes’ first introduction to this private game farm.

Today’s 32 km course saw them tackling a short river gorge, but mostly had them on relatively flat terrain that had them engaging with wildlife and game in the Khamkirri Game Reserve.

Another staggered start saw Anne Centner, Burger Lambrechts and Marius Andrews set off first just before 6 am. Now determined to take the overall ladies’ title, Louise Lambrechts set off an hour after Anne and steadily reigned in the 63-year old to catch her just before Check Point 3.  That meant that the 12 minute lead that Anne had on Louise going into this leg was a thing of the past and Louise is now firmly in position at the head of the ladies’ field. Louise also caught and overtook her husband, Burger during the day.

Edward Chapman set off by himself at 06:15 this morning and had the longest day out in the desert today.  The 53-year old from the UK was attracted to the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon after completing the Marathon des Sables and the Addo 50 miler which he describes as “his best race ever”.

The bulk of the rest of the field left the camp at 06:56 with only Ronan Gallagher, Michael Firmstone, Michael Hutchesson, Greg Nerf and Chuck Walker setting off together at 07:56. None of the five stuck together and it was no surprise to see Chuck Walker pass through Check Point One in the lead. Although only two minutes ahead at this stage, he once again set up an impossible pace and entered the finishers’ camp ahead having passed all the participants who had set out earlier than him that morning.

Michael Firmstone (UK) stamped some authority on the race today. Initially letting Michael Hutchesson take the lead from him, he had once again caught up with Australian by Check Point Three and finished today’s leg 19 minutes ahead of Hutchesson. This strong performance today saw him move up one position in the overall standings to share seventh position with Craig Petersen of South Africa. Greg Nerf is hanging onto his overall third position by keeping up a consistent pace in the desert.

With only one day left of this extreme marathon, the overall positions look pretty rock solid at the front of the field, whilst some of the back runners may still have the opportunity to make changes on the last day – the final 22 kilometre stretch to the ultimate finish line.

Day 7 ~ From heat stroke to hypothermia in seven days

On my first trip to write about the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon last year, Estienne Arndt knowledgeably informed athletes and crew that it “never rains in the Kalahari”. He was wrong then and it seems he is once again wrong in 2007. Determined to ensure that Estienne remembers this fact, the desert let rip and delivered a phenomenal electric storm complete with torrential rain and high winds.

A far cry from the runners’ first day in the desert, day seven seems to have taken the athletes “from heat stroke to hypothermia in seven days,” as Estienne describes it. But it seems that nothing was going to cause any of the remaining 20 athletes to renege on their goal to finish this race. With the ultimate finish line just 22 kilometres away – the corners of everyone’s mouths were already heading north at the start of the day.

The aim of today’s staggered start is to ensure that the ultimate winner of the race crosses the line after all the other competitors. This gives everyone the opportunity to applaud the winner and celebrate this phenomenal achievement with him.

First out of camp this morning were Anne Centner, Edward Chapman, Burger Lambrechts and Louise Lambrechts. Having started the race initially staying together, today saw Burger and Louise reuniting so that they could cross that line as a couple. Burger, therefore, was able to share in Louise’s glory as the overall winner amongst the ladies.

For Anne the finishing line was made even more special with the appearance of her husband, Arthur who drove up from Cape Town to surprise her. After being an integral member of the crew in 2006, Arthur had been sorely missed and was welcomed by all into Khamkirri where he could join the crew in celebrating Anne’s phenomenal achievement in the desert. Having taken up position as overall leading lady earlier in the event, Anne should be paraded in front of the women of this country as a reminder of what we are able to accomplish if we just put our minds to it. As one of only two women to finish this year’s event, age is clearly not a factor for this 63-years young Capetonian. 

A group of five consisting of Big Dave Carter, Lionel Dyck, Andries Fourie, Johan Landsberg and Stuart Wainwright represented the second lot of pilgrims to leave the night camp and head towards the finish at Khamkirri. With little distance separating Johan and Stuart throughout the day it was Stuart who reached the finish line two minutes in front despite having been trailing by four minutes at the second Check Point.

There was no change in the overall positioning for Stuart who was in 11th place at the end of the sixth day and finishing the gruelling marathon in the same place on day seven. Johan, however, managed to wiggle into 19th place having initially started the day in position 20.

Big Dave and Lionel Dyck from this group also stayed pretty close throughout this 22 kilometre stint, but it was the only Zimbabwean on the course, Lionel who pipped Big Dave to the post. This ensured that 63-year-old Lionel, a retired army officer, maintained his overall tenth position and Big Dave kept his spot in overall 14th place.

But it was 32-year-old Andries Fourie who clocked up the fastest time amongst this group of early-morning starters. He finished the 22 kilometres in two hours and 25 minutes – one of the faster times of the day and one which helped him climb out of 18th position and take the overall 16th place at the end of the marathon. His highpoint of the event was being able to meet “very special people who have made exceptional achievements, and to have been in God’s creation”.

Out here on his own mission, Marius Andrews, a 43-year-old South African, set off by himself at 06:45. His performance on the last leg helped him maintain his overall 13th position to finish in an overall time of 56:40 for the entire marathon.

The next threesome out of camp consisted of Neil Wightwick, Jean Taris and Craig Petersen who all left at 07:25. Craig Petersen who, after withdrawing from the Addo 100 miler, had something to prove to himself in the Kalahari steadily pulled away from the rest of his group and posted the fourth fastest time on the final day out here to finish in overall eighth position. Neil Wightwick’s position from day six where he held a comfortable 12th position was unchanged at the end of the seventh day. One of the youngsters on the course, at 29, Neil hails from the UK where he is a climbing instructor.

Frenchman, Jean Taris had a slightly longer stint in the windy desert, but nevertheless held onto his overall ninth position. A veteran of some 130 marathons, the 54-year-old lists trekking through the desert as one of his hobbies and tackled the race to discover a new part of the world.

Ronan Gallagher and Iain Lomas were the next two out of camp in the morning at 07:40. Sticking close together they were both through the first Check Point at the same time. But it was the Australian, Ronan, who pulled ahead to finish the leg some seven minutes ahead of Iain. Both maintained their respective positions from the previous day with Iain taking up the fourth position and Ronan claiming overall sixth place.

Setting off at 08:00, a group of three tough competitors headed into the Kalahari to battle out the top positions. Having already scratched his name in the sand on many of the previous legs, Michael Hutchesson was the first of the three to head into Check Point One and maintained his pace right through to the finish line to clock a 02:14 for the 22 kilometre section. It was no surprise to see Michael hold onto his place in second position – a position that he has held for most of the race.

The top South African contender, Greg Nerf was hot on Michael’s heels, but was overtaken by Phil Langman of the UK before Check Point Two. Greg’s overall time accumulation, however, was secure enough to see him retain his third position at the end of the long event. Phil, one of the Kalahari Darts who were out here raising money, took overall fifth position.

Leaving at 08:25 was Michael Firmstone, also a Kalahari Dart, who finished this leg in a time of 02:00, and second to cross the line on the last leg. He holds overall seventh place at the end of the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon.

I guess the challenge of the final day for the organisers was deciding what time to start Chuck Walker to ensure that he was the last to arrive in the finishers’ camp – a tradition that makes the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon unique in South Africa. Leaving the overnight camp at only 09:00 – the American Express was quick to pick up speed and tackled the final day in much the same way as he has performed over the last few legs - - - extremely fast!

Finishing the 22 kilometre stretch in only one hour and 55 minutes – Chuck did not give the rest of the field much time to get to the finish line to welcome him home! But more importantly – he proved that I have the eyes to fish out a winner! Because surveying the athletes as they mulled about at the Augrabies Lodge on day one I spotted the legs of this runner and pronounced him as my favourite for the race. Finishing in an overall time of 29:59 – we can only hope that Chuck takes up the opportunity to defend his title in the desert in the future. 

Congratulations to all those brave enough to start this race; and ovations to those that beat the sand, the rocks, the heat, the snakes, the highs, the lows, the rain (yes it does rain in the Kalahari), the blisters, the pain, the thirst, the cramps, the miggies, the cold and their own personal demons to finish this extreme event!