Grand to Grand Ultra 2016 – Final Stage

1 October 2016

The 2016 Grand to Grand Ultra is done and dusted.

We finished the 273km race earlier this morning with a final 12km stage. Although short in distance, it was a tough uphill run with an elevation gain of more than 800m.

But with the finishing line at the Grand Staircase, and spectacular views from the mountain top, plus Coke and pizza after a week of eating freezed dried meals, it was the perfect end to a very unique race.

The Grand to Grand Ultra is a very tough race, probably my most challenging to date. But the area between the Grand Canyon and Grand Staircase is an amazing setting for a multi-stage desert race.

Congratulations to Colin and Tess Geddes, with the support of all the volunteers, camp staff, medics and many others, for organising this amazing race. Big congratulations also to everyone who completed the race.

Florian Vieux of Switzerland and Emile Lecomte of France were the winners of the men’s and women’s categories, respectively.

I finished the race in 43h46 in 21st position overall.

I will write a more detailed blog about the race once back in South Africa.

Please remember to continue supporting my fundraising campaign in support of the END Fund and the fight against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in Africa. Refer to goo.gl/FopK9u to learn more and make a donation.

Together, we can END NTDs in Africa!

Signing off from Kanab.

David