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10:35 local time

The Italian locomotives are spreading out the field

At some point I thought that Andrew McLean would make us all work hard to keep catching up to him. Unfortunately, the Canadian ultra runner had to withdraw and is now back home again. We still have to work hard, though. It seems that Stefano and Enrico currently are trying break some records. The two reached Carmacks at 00:50 last night. I was there when they got off the river. Stefano is fine. Just Enrico has got problems with his right left knee. I offered to send a member of our medical team to the next checkpoint. He just said “No problem. Only needs ice”. Well, if there is one thing we have plenty of here, it is ice …

We expect Stefano and Enrico in McCabe by roughly 6:00 PM.

Further back, all athletes have now left Braeburn. Paul Byard was the last athlete to finish the 100 mile distance. He was exhausted but very happy and ready to have a beer with his son Andy and friend Andy Carr. Sarah from Germany came in before on the 13th at 10:02 to place 5th. Patricia Clune and her friend Christine Lundvall placed 6th coming in at 13:30. They were in a good mood and happy to see friends and family at Braeburn Lodge.

Everybody who is still in the race is fine as far as I know at the moment. Again it was a very cold night with temperatures down to – 30 degrees Celsius. For the first time there were great Northern Lights.

Torben who was slowed down before Dog Grave Lake because of a broken sled has been motoring yesterday. “He is going like crazy”, Murray and Gary told me. That way he was able to catch up to his friend Palle. The two Danish competitors left Braeburn in the very early morning hours together.

Frank Janssens from Vancouver is after our locomotives but is quite a bit behind. I have a non-confirmed out time from Ken Lake for him which is 6:00 AM. The sat phone connection was very bad. So, I can’t be sure. In any case we are waiting for him in Carmacks. David Berridge has left Ken Lake together with Frank.

Sean Brown is still in the race, too. It was great to see him come into Braeburn looking so good. For those who don’t know, Sean is back for the third time to try and finish the 300 miles. I have great respect for such determination and hope he will go all the way.

Last in the 300 mile race to leave the 100 mile checkpoint was Marc Allen. “Last year’s race video does not show how hard it is”, was one of his comments before he left.

Mark Melville-Taylor had to scratch due to what seemed to be a flue. It was his second try at the distance to Pelly Crossing and we hope to see him back.

The remaining 460 milers are doing what they should do. They take their time. Andy Heading is currently in the lead by about 6 hours. However, there is still such a long distance to go that it is difficult to say what will happen.