I have now completed the Gobi Desert Ultra Marathon. I took approximately 50 hours to cover the 150 miles over six days. Out of a field of 155 I came 70th. The whole experience was the hardest endurance activity I have ever under taken. The temperature passed 50 degrees centigrade on a regular basis. This meant that just surviving the race was a real challenge. Many did not as 35 competitors failed to complete the entire race. In those temperatures you really have to concentrate in order to take on enough water and salts. The fear of collapsing midway through a stage was in the fore front of your mind. The first 4 days were 23-27 miles with day 5 being the 50 mile day. Day 6 was a mere 8 miles. I was hugely impressed by my fellow competitors. The finishing line on day 4 was a sight to behold. There were people lying all over the place, many vomiting from heat exhaustion. Some were even on IV drips. However, the next day they were up and ready to go again. In summary an amazing challenge. I certainly felt that I earned every penny of sponsorship.