Ryan Sandes - Ultra Marathon long distance runner extraordinaire

Namibia 2009 - seven-day, six-stage, 250-kilometer footrace across southern Namibia.
(all information care of RacingThePlanet )

Pre-Race Part 1.

With the race start just days ahead, the volunteers’ training includes sun, rain, rules and a little golf.

While some guests at the Windhoek Golf and Country Club Resort bronzed themselves near the pool, the volunteers for RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009 stayed in the shade for a day of intensive training prior to Sunday’s race. Delineating rules, competitor regulations and volunteer roles were all on the morning agenda as the volunteers prepared for the seven-day, 250-km footrace across the Namib Desert.

Introductions were made and it wasn’t long before everyone realised just how many of the volunteers were prior competitors or volunteers, including two who have completed the 4 Deserts Series. Thirteen of the volunteers have either volunteered or competed in one of RacingThePlanet’s previous races, in addition to many of the medical and media staff who have also worked in prior events.

“It’s an amazing group of volunteers,” RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009 Operations Manager Samantha Fanshawe said. “Because so many of the volunteers have done this before, they know what is needed. There are very few of them who will be taken by surprise by the unpredictably of what may happen out in the field.”

While the contingent of experienced volunteers allowed for a greater understanding of what is required of the volunteers, the new volunteers added a different point of view.

“It’s always good to have some new people,” Fanshawe said. “They see things in ways that maybe the others don’t.”

The afternoon session included a discussion about some of the race’s highest tenets – fair play and the spirit of the race. The volunteer team went over check points, cut-off times and water rations. Later, on the edge of the golf course, there was a check point simulation where former two-time RacingThePlanet competitor Catherine Jones and Bernd Nordhausen pretended to be two competitors. The volunteers assigned to Check Point Two quickly jumped into action, not only recording names and times, but assisting with packs, bottled water and offering whatever assistance they could provide.

While the racing conditions will be vastly different to the setting in Windhoek, the volunteer team still had a chance to practice their encouragement skills. With training taking place outside on the golf course, the group of volunteers became a makeshift golfing gallery as a threesome came to tee-off. The volunteers stepped aside and conversations quieted. All eyes were on the golfers and as each of the three teed-off, a good-humoured round of applause greeted each golfer.

What had started as a sunny morning, gave way to a rainy afternoon, but a break in the rains gave way to a double rainbow, perhaps a sign of what’s to come next.

Pre-Race Part 2.

Two tenets guide Jacob Hastrup’s method to keeping a light pack.

“I don’t get hungry, I don’t get cold,” Hastrup said. Hastrup, along with his Team Illinois-Denmark teammate, David Kuhnau, both registered packs of 6.2 kg during the pre-race weigh-in for RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009. The 213 competitors were put through a full pre-race check, which included a medical and equipment check. As always, the most popular question: “How much does your pack weigh?”

All competitors need to be self-sufficient for the seven-day, 250-km stage race and most of the competitors were anxious to see how light a pack they could carry. Mandatory items included a sleeping bag, a jacket, gloves and at least 2000 calories for each race day. While some competitors preferred to pack additional items, such as extra clothing, walking poles and, of course, more food, others stuck to the bare minimum. Some were able to relish in the smallest of luxuries. While Hastrup and Kuhnau registered the lightest packs, Illyas Khan had the heaviest pack of the session, with his backpack weighing 15.75 kg. The average weight seemed to fall between 9-10 kg.

Hastrup said he didn’t pack luxuries, but that his two pairs of wool socks were key pieces equipment for the race.

“My pack’s been lighter, 5.8 kg,” said Hastrup, a member of the 4 Deserts Club. “But for this race I need fleece pants, a fleece jacket so that’s 400 grams there.”

A large group of the competitors gathered on Friday afternoon on the lawn of the Windhoek Country Club, backpacks sitting on their back and many of them dressed in the clothes they will wear throughout the race. Some of the more experienced competitors helped their fellow competitors with getting rid of excess weight, suggesting that perhaps they didn’t need that extra pack of instant noodles or suggesting that there were ways to better compress their food rations.

Chuck Walker said he was going to do without any supplementary items, saying a toothbrush and toothpaste were his only extras. Walker stuck to the bare minimum of calories, itemising everything by day and measuring calories out to the very last one. His pack registered at 7.2 kg.

Ed Lang’s pack came in at 9.5 kg. In his first RacingThePlanet competition, Lang said that as soon as he was told there was a 100-km stage, he took out a few things out to keep his weight down. St. John Flaherty thought his 8.2 kg pack was too heavy.

“I probably bought more food than I needed to,” Flaherty admitted.

American Joe Holland said that the race was a chance to understand just how little humans needed to survive, especially since the majority of the competitors came from a world of “plenty”. Holland’s special item was ordinary by most people’s standards.

“As odd as this may sound, one of my favourite items that I’m bringing is a titanium cup so I can enjoy a cup of warm tea in the morning. Now that may not sound like a luxury item but out in the desert when we’re trying to carry the least amount of gear possible, that’s my luxury item,” Holland said.

Like Holland, a warm drink was a special treat for Lucy Hilton. While Hilton said she would stick to instant coffee each day, she packed an instant latte for when she finished the race’s long stage.

Stage 1: Fish River Canyon, approximate distance – 39 kilometers

After spending the night at Camp 1, “Africa’s Grand Canyon,” tucked away in Namibia’s great natural wonder, the Fish River Canyon, the 2nd largest and deepest canyon in the world, and the largest in Africa, RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009 commences. With breathtaking scenery, competitors will start a deep descent into the canyon where the ground will be uneven and rocky and there may be multiple river crossings and climbs depending on the water level. The canyon is teeming with exotic flora and fauna, and there may be sightings of wild zebra, baboon, oryx and other animals. More than 350 million years old, this ravine is made up of spectacular, rich orange hued, horizontal dolomite strata, and hot sulphur springs which at times can be rough and broken. ‘Fish River Canyon’ begins with an easy flat, rocky stretch. Descending into the canyon, will be steep, as will the ascent – there is the possibility of river crossings. The majority of the path will be stony and rocky ground meaning that the footing will be loose and unstable for the most part. Caution should be taken. Approximately 39km.

After exiting the Fish River Canyon, competitors will head towards Camp 2, which is named “Southern Cross.”

Tough first day has many competitors finishing after dark; Salvador Calvo leads the pack with Stage 1 win.

As Kelly Ashton (Australia) began Stage 1: Fish River Canyon, she set her iPod to blare “The Longest Road to Nowhere”.

“I thought it was appropriate,” Ashton said as she began her first RacingThePlanet event.

Indeed for many it was. With competitors trickling in far after the sun set, the 39 km stage was described by many returning competitors as the toughest Stage 1 they had ever completed. Salvador Calvo Redondo (Spain) finished first in the stage at 12:24:17, followed by Ryan Sandes (South Africa) at 12:48:14 and Marco Olmo (Italy), who was third, arriving at the finish line at 12:54:48. The first woman through the finish line was Lucy Hilton (Great Britain), who finished at 13:23:09, while the first team to compete the grueling stage was Team Swana (Israel), who finished at 14:45:47.

With an 8:15 a.m. start, most of the competitors were up far before the break of dawn, be it for nerves or excitement. At 6:30 a.m., a treat awaited the campsite with a performance of the Nama Step by a local cultural group, a dance common to the Nama tribe. Following a course briefing – including strict orders not to run or overtake during the steep descent into the Fish River Canyon – the Nama tribe gave the competitors a blessing.

Stage 1 of the course was described by Alasdair Morrison (Scotland) as the “trickiest” stage of the 250-km, seven-day stage race. The race began with a 4.5 km loop to Checkpoint 1, followed a beautiful but difficult leg of the stage. Measuring 13 km, the competitors were required to do a steep descent, followed by three river crossings and a rocky ascent via aluminum ladders. After the canyon, came a 10 km section and then the final 10 km of the day, which included a steep hill heading up to the site of the next camp, Southern Cross.

“It was a hard first day, by far the longest first day I’ve done and it was difficult to get my footing for the first 20 km, ,” Ben Ferguson (United States) said. Of the competitors who were crossing the finish line after dark, Ferguson said: “To finish on your first day after dark may be psychologically difficult for a lot of people.”

Matthew Williams (Australia) put the difficulty of the stage this way: “It’s like being thrown into the abyss of difficult endurance running, all unexpectedly.”

Many of the competitors struggled in the second stage of Stage 1, spending the majority of their race in the Fish River Canyon. The second-largest canyon in the world, the Fish River Canyon presented a visually stunning and physically demanding challenge. Kenneth Perry (United States) retired with a sprained ankle.

Ricky Paugh (United States) was one competitor who fell into difficulty during the race. “After the third river crossing, my right quad started to spasm. I was going up and down and by the time we got up the ladder, there was a massive hill and by then, both of my legs were in pain. I vomited my breakfast and then a second time, but just bile.”

At Checkpoint 2, Paugh rested for 30 minutes and after re-hydrating, continued on again. Paugh was happy to have made it to Camp 2, but admitted that his focused had changed for the race.

“Before I was hoping to be one of the contenders, but naturally the focus has changed a little bit and it’s a little more about finishing and survival,” Paugh said. “It’s the toughest stage by far that I’ve ever been through.”

While many found the course unexpectedly grueling, others, such as the frontrunner Calvo Redondo, was smiling after the stage.

“It’s very beautiful, I enjoyed it a lot,” said Calvo of the Fish River Canyon as he relaxed in his tent.

Calvo’s fellow countrymen competitors and tent mates were equally proud of his accomplishment and the time he made.

“He finished and then he came and cleaned the entire tent,” said Andres Martin (Spain), gesturing to a spotless tent.

Stage 2: Leopards & Cheetahs, approximate distance – 38 kilometers

The high, forbidding cliffs of the canyon give way to the scrubland of the African Bush in Stage 2. Ground varies between hard, broken rocks to hardened riverbed sand with wet patches. There may be a few ascents up loose, sandy slopes as the path through this area of the African Bush mostly consists of winding roads traversing small mountains and hills. Competitors may be lucky enough to catch sight of a few leopard or cheetah tracks on their journey.

Camp 3, is named, “Nama,” after the indigenous tribe in the surrounding area who form a majority in this part of the world.

With Stage 2: Leopards and Cheetahs complete, Salvador Calvo Redondo (Spain) continues to lead the overall RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009, despite finishing second in the stage to Stage 2 winner, Ryan Sandes (South Africa). Sandes crossed the finish line at 12:17.37 after an 8:15 a.m. start, with Calvo finishing approximately ten minutes behind him. 61-year-old Marco Olmo (Italy) lies third in the race. Lucy Hilton (United Kingdom) continues to lead the women’s division after finishing at 13:02.13 and Team Swana (Israel) are still the leaders in the team division, having crossed the finish line at 14:18.57.

After both a technically and physically grueling Stage 1, many of the 202 starters were appreciative of a more moderate 40.8 km Stage 2. Described by Alasdair Morrison as “basically a day of rock and then sand”, the competitors were asked to make their way through three stages of rocky terrain, following a 60m sand dune, the group’s first introduction to the Namibian sand dunes that they will tackle later this week.

“Today was a lot nicer than yesterday, a lot more pleasant,” Kelly Ashton (Australia) said. “Yesterday was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Today was a bit rocky, a little bit difficult, but I’d rather that than the Canyon again.”

At Checkpoint 5, many of the competitors were all smiles as they stocked up on water and took a rest before the second part of Stage 2. The section prior to Checkpoint 5 was stony and rocky, with a gradual decline. Most were in happy spirits as they reached Checkpoint 5.

“Much easier than yesterday,” assessed Peter Liptak (United States) from the day’s first stop. “Nice and rocky, but it was all fine.”

A few minutes later, Joseph Osha (United States) agreed with the sentiment. As he added some water and set his iPod to Ben Harper, Osha said: “I was so dehydrated yesterday, but today it’s much better. So far, so good.”

However, it wasn’t all coming up roses. Some, such as Jacqueline Furniss (United States), smiled but admitted she was struggling. “I’m really like ‘Why am I doing this?’” Furniss said. “I want to be home with my kids. I haven’t had that epiphany yet, but I’ll tell you when it happens.

While many found Stage 2 to be easier than Stage 1, there were other competitors who felt the exact opposite.

“I thought today was harder actually, the rocks make it so difficult, relentlessly difficult,” said Hilton, who added she was pleased to have maintained her lead in the women’s division. “You’re looking for a smooth path and then you don’t find one. I keep having fights with foliage.”

Wolt Weterings (Netherlands) agreed. “Today was harder for me than yesterday. I don’t know why, maybe I went too fast yesterday.”

Despite leading the race, Calvo Redondo, the RacingThePlanet: Vietnam 2008 winner, said he experienced some pain in his left thigh about a kilometer before Checkpoint 7.

“I couldn’t run and then after the last check point, I began running slowly and then getting faster and faster. I hope everything is okay, I love running so much.”

Stage 3: Huns Mountains, approximate distance – 35 kilometers

Stage 3 begins with large flat areas and easier terrain than the previous stages skirting the Huns Mountain range. Derelict dwellings populate the dirt roads winding through easy to medium ground up and down small rises. There may be a descent into a riverbed, as well as rocky, broken ground with the occasional scramble, towards the end of the stage before returning to easier flattish ground.

‘Huns Mountains’ is a boundless exploration of the African bush, with seemingly infinite horizon of the African plains. The course will be somewhat sandy, with patches of sharp, stony ground

Camp 4 is, “Quiver Forest,” so named due to the native Quiver Tree, an indigenous succulent that grows in this area.

Ahead of the long day, competitors are asked to go through 35 km of rough terrain, including sharp rocks.

The shortest of the stages thus far happened on Stage 3: Huns Mountains and with tomorrow’s 100 km stage looming in the near future, the competitors were more than happy with the moderate 35 km stage.

Leading the front-runners was Salvador Calvo Redondo (Spain), who pulled away from Ryan Sandes (South Africa) during the rocky stage between Checkpoint 10 and 11 and crossed the finish line first at 11:23.30 a.m. With Sandes arriving about five minutes later, Calvo Redondo is now 19 minutes overall ahead of Sandes. Marco Olmo (Italy) lies in third after finishing the Stage 3 third.

Lucy Hilton (Great Britain) was once again the fourth runner to cross the finish line and continues to lead a competitive ladies’ division. The four-member Team Swana increased their team lead by being the first team to cross the Stage 3 finish line.

Competitors were warned during the daily course briefing that a particular 9.3 km rocky stage could cause several problems, including ruining shoes. Some of the runners found the sharp rocks difficult, but Calvo Redondo said that running along the rocky terrain had helped give him the advantage.

“I think Ryan is faster just on the flat running, but maybe I am faster when it is rocky,” the 46-year old said, adding that he trained in the mountains in his home in Leon, Spain.

Frank Bruwer (Germany) said his ankles were sore, but was pleased overall with how the stage went.

“It’s getting to the point where everything hurts,” Bruwer said. “It hurts more than yesterday. I didn’t find the rocky stage really any different than the other rocky parts. The sharpness was not such a big deal.”

During the morning course briefing, competitors were told about a part of the course where they would pass by a farmhouse. Originally, the farmer’s wife had offered to pass out cakes as the competitors came by, but RacingThePlanet organisers informed her that free cake was not part of the seven-day, 250-km foot race in Namibia’s rough country.

Some of the competitors, including Calvo Redondo and Sandes, had difficulty finding the course markers. Katia Figini (Italy) said she lost five minutes as she struggled to find the small pink flags dotting the course.

“We spent about five minutes stopping and looking for the course markers between the second and third checkpoints of the day,” Figini said. “So finally we are here and I am happy.”

Like Bruwer, Frank Fumich (United States) was beginning to feel the pain, in part because he had not brought as many calories with him as he had during previous RacingThePlanet events.

“I’ve had three rough days,” Fumich said. “I decided to experiment with my calories during this race and it’s proved not to be such a good idea.”

As competitors trickled to Camp 4: Quiver Forest under a hot sun, they were treated not only to a stunning view, but also a part of the Huns River, which was actually part of the course. Many of the competitors took the opportunity to use the cool fresh water to wash their bodies and clothes and to clean-up ahead of a laborious Stage 4, which measures 100-km and spans over Wednesday and Thursday.

Said Figini: “I’m hoping they decide to change the number of kilometres we have to do tomorrow and we can do less.”

Stage 4: In the Footsteps of the Bushmen, approximate distance – 100 kilometers

'Long plains with a few dunes and sandy ascents define this stage as what Dave Annandale called, “some of the most beautiful Dunes in the world.” Scenic beauty may distract from the distance this expansive stage covers. This stretch of the course passes through the majestic, centuries old sand dunes – some of the oldest, and tallest in the world.

Camp 5, the eponymous “Springbok” is situated in an area where the local species of deer herds in numbers.

Competitors go through the longest stage of the race, 100 km through the Namib desert.

By the time the mid-morning sun’s blazed, 104 competitors had crossed the finish line of the grueling Stage 4: In the Footsteps of the Bushman. There were 197 starters for the 100-km trek which began at 8:20 a.m. on Wednesday was still concluding Thursday.

First across the line were Ryan Sandes (South Africa) and Salvador Calvo Redondo (Spain) who crossed the line together just before 8 pm. on Wednesday night. The front-runners were followed by ladies’ division leader Lucy Hilton (Great Britain) and then by Marco Olmo (Italy) in fourth.

At Checkpoint 17, the mid-point of the race, Calvo Redondo crossed the check-point line first, at 1:36.30 on Wednesday. The overall race leader sat down for a few minutes, rested and started going just again when Sandes arrived at the checkpoint. After the mid-way point, the two continued to run together.

Wednesday’s temperature at Checkpoint 14 registered a sweltering 43 degrees Celsius at about 2 pm. However, around that that time at Checkpoint 17, cloud had covered the sandy terrain and the temperature was a slightly cooler 33 degrees Celsius.

The top 25 runners passed through Checkpoint 17 Wednesday at 4:19 pm. and it wouldn’t be long until nightfall.

“I’m a bit sore in the knee, otherwise in good spirit,” said Sam Kok-weng (Malaysia) as he sat down in the dark.

“The course is incredibly difficult for a 100 km, especially when you know it’s going to be dark so soon,” Christian Stauffer (Switzerland) said. “It’s almost like they need to make two categories, one for superman and one for the rest of us.”

Indeed, many struggled with the course and tricky terrain between Checkpoint 16 and 17, in particular, a rocky descent that left at least one competitor anticipating someone would walk into a cactus.

As it got close to midnight, Barry Smith (United Kingdom) was asked if he was still happy that he signed up for his first RacingThePlanet event.

“Ask me at the end of the week,” Smith said, who was spotted Thursday morning at 10:45 a.m. nearing the finish line along with his partner Tom Tsang Chiu-tong.

All through the night and early Thursday morning, a steady stream of competitors reached their final destination, Camp 5: Springbok, where food and a lot of rest were much needed.

As John De Bruin (United States) sat in his tent removing the sand from his shoes, the Hong Kong resident was already able to put Stage 4 into perspective.

“At the first checkpoint I was 171, but I crossed the finish line 99th,” De Bruin said. “My strategy was to go slow because it’s a 100 km and I wanted to just do my own pace. I was alone on the course in the middle of the night and my thought was, ‘My mom would kill me if she saw me.’ And then I thought about animals, but then at night it got cold, there was a breeze and I could smell the saltwater and the stars were out. There were shooting stars and it was like having the best and the worst at the same time.”

DeBruin wasn’t the only one with animal sightings. Competitors all over the course saw some of Namibia’s famous wildlife and Hilton even mistook three sets of eyes – she thinks they were zebras – for glow sticks out on the course.

Many described the course as tough and one of the hardest things some of the athletes had ever done.

168 competitors finish the limit-testing Stage 4 of RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009

With the finish line standing tall against a backdrop of dramatic sandy dunes, the longest stage of RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009 – a total 100 km spread over two days – was complete when Alexandra Morrison (Australia) and Camilla Buttery (United Kingdom) crossed the finish line together at Thursday 5:41.25 p.m. The sun was still fading into the background and with the fires going strong, a large group of friends, family, volunteers and fellow competitors stood at the finish line cheering Morrison and Buttery in.

Ed Buttery (United Kingdom), who had moments earlier finished Stage 4 himself, took out a miniature football and rushed back out onto the course to greet his sister Camilla.

Said Ed Buttery of the course, “The last 10 km of the course was okay but there were moments when I was this close to quitting.”

Ed Buttery had arrived at Camp 5: Springbok in a group of 11 competitors, all who crossed the finish line, holding hands and thrusting them up into the air.

Kong Ho-Seong (South Korea) said, “I feel really happy now.” He pointed to the crowd which had welcomed him into camp.

Kong walked the entire course with blind competitor Song Kyung-Tae (South Korea) and his guide Kim Gyeong-Su (South Korea). When Song and Kim arrived together, they embraced and Kim began to cry and the two celebrated their incredible feat.

In total, 168 competitors crossed the finish line, while 197 competitors started Stage 4: In the Footsteps of the Bushmen on Wednesday morning. The stage was not without its dramatic moments. Michael De Freitas (Brazil) temporarily withdrew from the race Wednesday evening at Checkpoint 17, before deciding that he wanted to finish the stage.

“I had a moment where I was frustrated, angry and depressed but then 20 or 30 minutes later, the dust settles and then I wanted to carry on,” De Freitas said.

Nick Chittenden (United Kingdom) finished in the mid-afternoon and as he walked to his tent, he said that he felt that each checkpoint of 10 km felt longer than 10 km. The middle of the race was particularly difficult.

“It’s soul-destroying,” Chittenden said of the toughness of the race. “There were these sand dunes that were so soft they just killed me.”

Miho Okabe (Japan) finished minutes later, throwing her hands up in the air as she crossed the finish line. She immediately thanked the volunteers for helping her get through the race.

“Thank you for all the help yesterday,” Okabe said. “The course was so tough, but it was beautiful, very beautiful.”

Ngiam Geok-Ling (Singapore) was one of the group of 11 to finish together. Of how she was feeling she said: “After I’m done good, before it’s not good. The terrain was quite tough, I was almost falling off. I’m happy I had friends to help.”

Stage 5: Out of Africa, approximate distance – 28 kilometers

Stage 5 will have a complete change of landscape as competitors make their way towards the stunning but harsh Skeleton Coast, where some of the largest and oldest sand dunes in the world exist. The sand dunes are typified by their bright copper tones, as the mineral and metal deposits in the sand have oxidized over time, thus signifying their immense age – some of them reach up to hundreds of feet high. There are areas of the Skeleton Coast that competitors will pass through, that no human foot has ever landed before, due to previous diamond mining restrictions in the area. Soft, loose sand dominates the stage with wicked winds expected.

Camp 6, “Skeleton Coast” is located near a purpose built wind barrier constructed by the local team in order to provide shelter for the competitors at their last campsite.

A 20.7 km scramble up and down the sand dunes of the Namib desert was the setting for Stage 5: Out of Africa. Salvador Calvo Redondo (Spain) was the stage winner, arriving at Camp 6 at 10:06 a.m., just a minute before Ryan Sandes (South Africa). Salvo Redondo continues to lead the race with just one 10 km stage left to complete. Marco Olmo (Italy) finished third in the stage, while Lucy Hilton (United Kingdom) was the first female to arrive, crossing the finish line fourth overall at 10:15.30 on Friday morning. The first team to arrive was Team Illinois-Denmark.

The competitors awoke to bright sunshine the morning after competing the long 100-km stage of RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009. The course was shortened from the original 28 km to 20.7 km, but competitors were warned that the sand dunes would be extremely difficult. But still, 23 people who are out of the official competition started today’s stage, showing not only resilience, but determination to complete as much of the course as possible.

In the end, many of the competitors came off the course smiling and said that seeing the stunning camp site which overlooks the Atlantic and the town of Luderitz was the ultimate adrenaline booster.

“Fantastic,” said Johan Petersen (New Zealand) of the stage. “It wasn’t as difficult as I thought. There was one tricky point, after the second checkpoint where there were these two very sharp dunes. I was on my hands and knees, but once I was over that part it was fine. I was expecting way harder.”

Stephanie Case (Canada) said that she enjoyed the stage tremendously, adding that the time out on the course seemed to fly by. The course of hilly dunes featured some spectacular views.

“The course was probably harder in our heads than it actually was,” Case said of Stage 5. “The views are absolutely amazing and it’s a great feeling because people now realise they are going to finish the race. That’s a pretty good feeling.”

As the competitors crossed the finish line, many of them set their eyes firmly on the Atlantic Ocean out in front of them. Many went for a quick swim in the 16 degree weather water and while most just cooled themselves off, the jovial feeling of nearing the end of the race was unmistakable. Rob Bolton (United Kingdom) who placed 31st today, described the ocean as, “Baltic” despite it actually being the Atlantic.

Of the course, Anthony Leung (Hong Kong) said: “It was fun today, the course was quite runable. There were some spicy sections where you had to crawl on all fours. But really it was just fantastic and it blew away all the frustration from yesterday’s long section.”

Jan Haines (United Kingdom) felt the sight lines for the end of the stage were apt.

“When you can see the water and the camp from the course and especially once you smell the salt water, you feel the adrenaline and it gives you a kick. That’s a real good feeling.”

Stage 6: The Diamond Trail, approximate distance – 10 kilometers

Stage 6 kicks off with a very sandy coastal track bringing competitors, at times, very close to the water’s edge. The notoriously windy Skeleton Coast, and sometimes an impenetrable fog can form making visibility difficult – the Skeleton Coast gets its name from the high number of ships that wrecked in this inhospitable part of the world. The coast is mostly flat, but occasionally relieved by rocky outcrops and small, rolling hills. The land that competitors pass through was previously diamond mine territory. Eventually, the coastal track will lead competitors into the picturesque, historical town of Lüderitz where the race will end with great fanfare.

With music, dancing and plenty of cheering, RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009 officially came to a close as the race finished in the Lüderitz town square. With the mayor on hand to place the medals around the competitors’ necks, it was Ryan Sandes (South Africa) who has won the final stage of the race, an 8 km stage along the Atlantic Ocean coastline into townar 10:19:46. Sandes was followed a minute later by Salvador Calvo Redondo (Spain), the overall winner of the race at 10:20:30. Javier Marina Gomez (Spain) finished third in the stage at 10:20:34, although Marco Olmo (Italy) is the overall third-place finisher.

Lucy Hilton (United Kingdom) won the ladies’ division, her second win after she came first in the ladies’ division and second overall in the Gobi March (China) 2008. Hilton was greeted with hugs and kisses by her husband, volunteer Steve Hilton (United Kingdom). Team Swana (Israel) is the overall team winner.

With a staggered start, the first of three groups of competitors set out from camp at 8 a.m. and Christian Stauffer (Switzerland) was the first person to cross the finish line. He was greeted by a large gathering of staff and volunteers and a crowd of local townspeople. The secod group consisted of the middle of the field set off at 0900 and the front of the field departed at 0945.

As the competitors scrambled down the final hill up to the finish line, it was clear they were giving the stage everything they had.

“This morning was great,” Stauffer said. “I guess I just had some reserves in me for the last 8 km.”

To add to the exhilarating spirit of the morning, RacingThePlanet distributed a 100 Frisbees to the children of Lüderitz. Some threw Frisbees, others entertained themselves on the playground and many others ran behind the competitors as they got close to the finish line.

“I’m so relieved,” Tony Rubato (Canada) said. “I had to run in the last half because I wanted to finish as strong as I could. I’m exhausted, but really happy.”

Paul Berg (Australia) described the stage as “just a walk along the beach.” Berg, along with the rest of the competitors, eagerly wolfed down sandwiches, beer and pizza as part of their immediate post-race treat.

Tears streamed down faces and photographs were abundant. Everyone had a moment (or moments) to capture. One of the loudest cheers of the morning was given to Sieglinde Gontes (Namibia) who wrapped herself in a Namibian flag after crossing the finish line. As blind competitor Song Kyung Tae (South Korea), his guide Kim Gyeong Su (South Korea) and their friend Kong Ho Seong (South Korea) approached the race finish, Kim told Song to go on alone and Song ran the last 10 m in alone.

62-year old Shogo Imanishi (Japan) had this to say about finishing the races. “Yesterday and today was easy. I was able to relax and the scenery is just beautiful.”

For Sandes, Stage 6 was his second stage win, and the 26-year old finished a close second overall. “I’ve been missing it all week, so I wanted to give it one last shot,” said Sandes about his stage win.

Jesse Yoo (South Korea) brought traditional Korean fans as a gift to the local community. Another competitor distributed children's books

Calvo Redondo, Hilton and Team Swana take top honours in RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009 awards show.

Along with a smattering of friends and family who had flown to Namibia specifically for the race finale, the 275 competitors, staff and volunteers gathered at the Canon Village in the Fish River Canyon for the RacingThePlanet: Namibia 2009 awards show. Under the night sky, Salvador Calvo Redondo (Spain), Lucy Hilton (United Kingdom) and Team Swana (Israel) received their first-place awards. Calvo Redondo finished the race in 25 hours and 47 minutes, while Hilton, who also placed fourth overall, finished in a time of 27 hours and 17 minutes.

Prior to the top honours being awarded, RacingThePlanet CEO and founder Mary Gadams awarded two special awards, the Spirit Award and the Sportsmanship Award, recognising individuals who may not have won the race, but who demonstrated all the right qualities in sport. The Spirit Award was given to Frank Fumich (United States) while brother and sister, Ed and Camilla Buttery (United Kingdom) were awarded the Sportsmanship Award.

Fumich joked that he had lost about 14 lbs during the race, but whatever that was left of him was gracious for the award.

Calvo Redondo said, “Thank you to the organisers of this race. It was a really exciting race and I am particularly grateful to Ryan [Sandes] who made this a more spectacular race than I could have imagined.”

With Hilton finishing first, Lia Farley (United States) was awarded second place and Cleo Oliver (United Kingdom) third. Hilton said she was incredibly grateful to the volunteers.

“I didn’t realise how hard it is to be a volunteer until my husband [Steve Hilton] came back today,” Hilton said.

The final awards for the evening were the age group categories. In the men’s category, Javier Gomez (Spain) in the 20-29 category, David Landy (United States) from 30-39, Joe Holland (United States) 40-49, Johan Petersen (New Zealand) 50-59 and Chuck Wilson (United States) in the 60-69 age category. In the women’s age group categories, Stephanie Case (Canada) won in the 20-29 group, Katia Figini (Italy) in the 30-39 group and Nina Breith (Germany) in the 40-49 group.