Run race (Red Bull Dune Dusters) 50:47 [5] 8.0 km (6:21 / km) +39m 6:12 / km
shoes: Asics Kayano 22
Started off conservatively with Brooner and probably hit the first dune in around 30th place. Felt quite comfortable for first half and had got up into 13th and the lead group just 1 dune ahead. Still with Brooner trading footprints, we passed 3 more in a group approaching the really steep dunes. I was then having trouble as my shoes were filling with sand and my toes were getting sore. I couldn't hold Brooner for last couple km's as I couldn't stretch out on anything but uphills because of the sand in my shoes losing a few seconds per downhill and a few more on the flatter sections. Don't think I would have caught him anyway. Finished in 10th place, 30 secs down on Brooner in 9th and 5-6 min off the leaders including Courtney Atkinson and Stu Adams who had won the 2 previous years. Thankfully course ended up about 1km shorter than last year. Can't decide whether it was 'fun' or not. Sand running not my favourite kind. Magical area though. Toes very tender afterwards.