Stage 5

The longest Stage 5 started at 6am Tuesday and for myself ended 90km (suspected 100kn) later at 4:30am Wednesday. An enforced curfew on anyone not having left Checkpoint 4 before 16:45 Tuesday, preventing them from leaving CP4 until 06:15 Wednesday (50km still to go) resulting in the last competitor crossing the line several minutes ago (8pm Wednesday).

We had two full on river crossing (requiring putting rucksack inside a dry bag or having all your kit getting soaking wet) and monstrous hills! Surprisingly the temperature and humidity combo didn't drop to a comfortable level overnight as anticipated. As a result of river crossings and sheer distant, most people feet can safely be described as trashed, and the medical support crew have been run of their feet. Our time since arrival has been spent on a beautiful white sandy beach but the focus has defiantly been on rest and foot repair.

We finish tomorrow with stage 6. This is a 31km(?) run across a beach which will include three creek crossings just to give those feet a bit more damage. My back is chaffed with sores in a couple of places but hopefully the self botch tape job will do the trick.

Belated Happy Birthday to Olly, Wix, Ems, Gareth and little Dylan Jacob! – Hope I've not forgotten any.

Thanks again for the messages

JQ