Steve Partridge - Day One - Marathon Des Sables

Day One

With a Trois, Deux and Un we were off. The helicopter circled around as the contestants sped to the first obstruction - a jebel up on a high rocky outcrop where we could only pass through two by two. We soon reached Checkpoint 1 and drove on to Checkpoint 2 over the first set of dunes. For many this was their first ever taste of the saharan dunes and most of the dunes here seem hotter than the surrounding area as you go through them whilst giving off clouds of dust.

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With a combination of heat and sport drinks we finished the stage and are looking forward to stage 2.

A Canadian has dropped out and many of the runners have blisters which are being attended to by the doctors and their team. Its 7.30 and most of us are in bed.

A more detailed report will follow tomorrow.