Wow, what an intro. When people who have done 7of these say its the hardest Day1 ever you have to take notice. 10 miles of the 20 total were through and over the second highest dunes in africa - they were epic! Had a 10 min admin stop at start to sort socks and feet but happy to come in at 5hrs30 and in the mid 200s overall - higher than my 400-500 expectation. Feet not bad; body not bad considering so a few hours before we get up to do it ll again. 24 miles tomorrow....can't wait!

Absolutely killer day. Just under 21 miles in total and said by some people who have done it before that it is one of the toughest days they've done.
As we left the start, ACDC's Highway to Hell was playing. All that the was missing today was the Grim Reaper! 8 miles of undulation and then 8 miles of dunes, followed by 5 miles into a headwind.

Highs: Finishing

Lows: Starting! One blister.

Learnings: If you're 14.5 stone, carrying over 10 kilos and have size 14 trainers, sand dunes are bloody hardwork!

This morning made spicy by a sand storm that prevented anyone getting the cookers going - cold freeze dried food is not good! The first 10 miles were spent chewing sand in the storm but it cleared up after that (although the storm is back in the camp so we've got the same probem). The terrain today was more like running on the surface of Mars with periods of dunes thrown in for good measure! Lots of big sharp rocks to do ankles on and 1 guy fell and broke his leg. Overall it was slower than yesterday but Ben and I did the last leg together as he hit a bit of a dehydration wall. The poles are working their way round the team - Rob is next! Unfortunately the gaiters also split so sand got in and didn't do the toes any favours. 5 painful days left to manage that! Thanks to all for messages, real morale boost.

Day 2 complete! if yesterdaywas brutal today was savage! Last night the wind was ferocious! In a bivouac with no sidesthat means very little sleep and getting sand blasted. Thismorning preparing 4 the race was ridiculous - not possible to cook, so cold chilli con carne at 0700 - mmm! I struggled for the first 10k today,my knee was excrutiating, but managed to get on top of and put the hammer down until about 25kms. Struggled with both my knee and then my feet which are now blistering, just after 30k a bliterburst and i had to stop for 20mins to sort it. i then took it slow in 2 the finish at 38km (23miles). My ranking has dropped substantially, but the game has changed; this is less about racing and more about finishing. The conditions throughout today were pretty awful - very windy and totally sand blasted nearly all the way. That said i am enjoying the massive challenge this has become.

Had about 4 seconds sleep last night. Our 8 man tents don't have doors and we had 30mph winds for much of the night. Sand absolutely everywhere..everything is impossible to do, and unless you had a flame thrower you couldn't light the fuel blocks. Cold, rehydrated chicken korma for brekkie....nice start to do the day.

24 miles today in about 5hr 45 mins. Basically got sand blasted the whole way. Struggled over the last 8 miles, though bumped into Pricey who pulled me through. Bits are just relentless, and again being the big fella of the team, find things slow over the often soft terrain.

It's great to arrive in camp, however there is essentially a sand storm blowing through.....Carry on Camping this is not!

The Golden Joggers are still fairing ok....feet are sore but we're still smiling!

Apart from the messages we have sent to the Golden Joggers, we've also sent one to the front runner, asking him to slow down or watch his back. And another, sent individually to all (about 60) British ladies in the race, with a follow on to our Golden Joggers as follows:

The global appeal of Tonsley Events knows no boundaries. Simultaneously as the Tonsley Business Club meets at the Tattershall Castle on the banks of the Thames, you too, the Golden Joggers, as representatives of Tonsley Racing / Tonsley Events will be hosting a social event for British competitors on your rest day.

Letters have been despatched to the lady runners of the British contingent, inviting them and their British team members to an English Tea Party to be held at tent 109 between 4.30pm and 5.30pm on the rest day (Thursday to the outside world). Guests have been asked to bring their own water supplies, iodine solution and tales of woe. They have also been warned that regrettably, the cucumber has gone off and that sandwiches will not be provided.

I trust you will embrace this and fly the flag for Queen and country.

May all of us at Tonsley Events wish you all the very best on this event and we look forward to hearing all about it! (find a snapper to record it for the web) TE