Stage 3:
Competitors began the day with an 8.2 km stretch through farmland, weaving in and out of irrigation systems trying to avoid get their feet wet, although at times it was impossible.   They passed an oasis along a village road, and were greeted by locals greeting them with a chorus of “asalaam alaykum” at many points as they passed through a few small  villages.  After check-point 10, the second for the day, there were even more irrigation systems to negotiate, and competitors were teetering on the edge of some muddy, unstable ground, slipping and sliding everywhere.  “That marshland sorted out my boots,” jested Rod Rutherford (Australia), “they were nice and crunchy when the finally dried up.” 

Brendan T. Rake (Australia) concurred, concluding that despite wet feet the stage was one of the most stunning and varied he had encountered.  “It was a walk in the park today, and the scenery made it all the more rewarding.  The irrigated stretch of land that we passed through was a nice surprise, and when you see something brand new around every corner, it makes the actual physical part easier.” Daniel S. Smith (United States), a six-foot tall competitor said that at times, the water was up to his thighs.

Then, competitors were lead up a canyon alongside a riverbank, up to a ridge where check-point 11 was situated.  The cooler temperatures and constant breeze during the day eased a lot of discomfort, and the mood was generally higher.  What was to come next was a grueling, continuous ascent up to more than 3,200 metres above sea-level.  Medical Director Matt Ladbrook warned the Gobi March 2009 competitors that at this point, they would be operating with 25% less oxygen, and that this would be a strain on their energy levels.  Most competitors complained that this leg of Stage-3 was energy zapping, and that even when they endeavoured to go faster, just simply couldn’t muster the strength.

Competitors steadily rolled into camp throughout the day, with the last competitor Shain Khoshbin (Canada) and Robin G. Bechtold (United States) arriving at 20.07.36.  Robert Follows (Canada) took the day slow but steady, but was in a good mood when he arrived at camp.  “It took a long time for my happy feet messages to reach my brain, but they got there eventually,” he said.  Pine River Racing Team were one of the last to get to camp, but where in excellent spirits.  Shortly after arriving, having had a good feed and some rest, the team was soon up and about playing a makeshift game of cricket with volunteers using a tennis ball, two planks of wood as bats, and some of the camp stools as wickets.  Amazingly, there seemed to boundless energy to run around camp chasing a tennis ball if previously there had been none. 

Anders Haagen (Denmark) and Gonzalo E. Aguilar (United States) withdrew today.  There are now 118 official competitors still in the running. 

In first place came Eric LaHaie (United States) with the time of 04.13.03, with Riel Carol (France) placing in second with the time of 04.19.29.  Third was Sean Abbott (United States) with the time of 04.20.35.  Diana Hogan-Murphy is leading the female division, with completing today’s stage in 05.34.39.  Hogan-Murphy is tied at 15^th overall with David Pearse (Canada) – the pair ran together for the whole stage.  Group Cohesion is the first placing team, and completed the grueling stage in 05.39.36.