Update for day 2.
Stage 2
On the morning of Stage 2 the runners emerged from their tents to prepare their breakfasts and get ready for the day ahead, a stage of 26.9M/43.3KM with significantly more climbing than Stage 1. A very hot and sunny first day had taken some toll on feet and energy levels but as RD Colin gave final instructions, the field looked determined and upbeat. The day would be warm but not as hot as Stage 1.
The course took the runners out of Camp 2 and through some troublesome cacti but only for less than 3 miles to Checkpoint 1 from where they would ascend the Navajo Trail from the top of which the Vermillion Cliffs can be seen in the distance as well as the rest of the Grand Staircase as it spans to the northern horizon.
At Checkpoint 1 the front runners were bunched together, but as they ticked off the miles, the field settled into what would be their final positions.
At the finish line Tommy Chen clocked in at 5 hours and 8 minutes followed by Peter Osterwalder just under 5 minutes later. Mohamad Ahansal, winner of Stage 1, was third male in 5 hours and 25 minutes. In the women's filed, Australian Sandy Suckling crossed the line first in 6 hours and 16 minutes, followed by Marie-Eve Trudel 20 minutes later. Brit Sophie Power was third in 6 hours 55 minutes. Laurence Klein, winner of Stage 1 for the women was fourth in 6 hours 57 minutes.
Overall after Stage 2, Tommy Chen leads the men with a total time of 10 hours 37 minutes. Mohamad Ahansal is second in in 10 hours 44 minutes and Peter Osterwalder third in 10:47. Laurence Klein leads the women overall with a total time of 13 hours. Sandy Suckling is second only 13 minutes behind and Sophie Power is third with a total time of 14 hours 6 minutes.
In the G2G Challenge, all of the runners are going well. They covered 18.1M/29.1KM on Stage 1 and then 15.6M/25.1KM on Stage 2.After Stage 1, Mattias Metz led the Challenge for the men clocking a time of 4 hours and 11 minutes, Glen Gay 4 hours twenty minutes and 39 seconds. Third was Glen's wife Michelle in 4 hours 20 minutes and 50 seconds. Frank Menkel was third in the men's race in 5 hours 13 minutes. Michelle's time put her in the lead of the women's field with Karen te Boome-Penzen second in 4 hours fifty one minutes, and Megan Lay third in 5 hours 47 seconds. In Stage 2, Glen and Michelle came in together in 5 hours and 12 minutes and third was Frank in 5 hours 45 minutes. Overall, Glen leads the men's Challenge race with a total time of 9 hours 33 minutes and 14 seconds, Michelle is in second overall only 11 seconds behind her husband, and Frank is in third in 10 hours 59 minutes. Currently, Michelle leads, the women's Challenge, Linda Sanders is in second, and Karen in third. Mattias Metz is in third position for the men.
11 runners DNF'd from the G2G Ultra after Stage 1 and another 7 runners after Stage 2. No runners have dropped from the G2G Challenge. All are safe and, while surely disappointed, all are in good spirits.
As the runners bedded down for the night, they talked about the long Stage 3 (52.6 M/84.7KM) ahead crossing their fingers for the forecast cooler weather and, perhaps, even rain.
As experienced Stage racers know, small time gains in the first 2 days can fast disappear on a long day with lots of terrain and elevation challenges.
Stay tuned!