Our first day in the Gobi was amazing....a gorgeous morning, turning into a hot, hot day as we walked across an incredible landscape. We started with 9 river crossings, where most competitors just walked straight through the water in their running shoes. The sensible ones walked through in crocs or other water shoes and saved some blisters as a result. After the inital euphoria of the start, competitors settled down to whatever pace they were hoping to maintain throughout the race. Lots of runners, but a lot more joggers and walkers. Mountains, canyons, and straight, hard, flat plains that went on forever. 38 kms later (although we ALL swear it was slightly longer - particularly the last 2 kms) we came into the town of Tashpushka ... and walked and walked and walked until we FINALLY heard the drums that welcomed us on the far side of town.

Most of the CNCF team did really well, coming in with reasonable times, and not too much the worse for wear. Our environment for the night - a lovely little village, invaded by an unusual crowd...but they don't seem that perturbed. All competitors are friendly and fun to hang with, and there's a vibrant atmosphere here, despite the fact that there's been a few casualties (dehrydation, fainting etc.) and some competitors will not be able to go on.

An early night then for most, and another long day tomorrow. Wish us luck - better still, donate now as the team walks across the desert for the kids....

It was another stunning day as we walked out of the village this morning. A slower start as everyone's first day injuries kicked in, but a beautiful walk with lots of conversations and new friendships made. The pack started to spread out early - runners of course were way out ahead before the first checkpoint - which is where the terrain become pretty interesting.

Up hill and down dale - so to speak - with a lot of particpants stopping for blister work at checkpoint two. Another hot hot day, around 35, with not a cloud in the sky. A long, flat walk across some amazing scenery - dry, with hills surrounding us and checkpoint 3, with only 10.2 to our camp for the night.

Highlight of arrival at camp was stopping into the tent to unpack and change out of our gear, only to have a huge dust storm blow up, and take the tent across the campground, into the arrivals area. A few other tents such as the medical and media tent also taken out, so it was a hot time for a little while...

All good though, with all of the CNCF team again coming into camp in reasonable time and condition. Heat rash, huge blisters, a minor infection are the issues our team have to contend with right now, but everyone is in good spirits, and all love being part of the largest fund-raising team in the whole group.

Darkness comes late, but dinner is early and we rest up for the next stage in hot tents in the heart of the desert tonight. Good company and laughter makes it all easier, and what's more motivating than doing it for the kids??

Stay tuned....

Today was a tough one, with an easy start out soft sand and relatively easy dunes. Through some small villages with the locals out to say hi and clap at the strange group of people passing through....

The second stage was difficult, with mud flats mixed in with river crossings and a lot of ups and downs, which really hurt those with feet issues - pretty much everyone! A quick, unintended swim in one river for an unlucky few made things more interesting .. and the rest of us laugh a bit.

Stage 3 was long and hot, through a canyon and dry riverbed, with a nice little hike up a steep hill at the end to give an incredible view for miles. By stage 4 everyone was pretty tired, and with a slow uphill for 8kms to the end, we were well pleased to see the fluttering flags showing us the way into camp.

The inner strength of the people participating in this event is a wonderful thing to see, as are the friendships being made, and the team spirit that most have. Unexpected pluses from this fund-raising expedition.

The CNCF team are all well, and in reasonably good shape considering the tough conditions. Tomorrow will be more difficult still, but we're in such a lovely setting tonight there will be some fun around the campfire and a lot of laughter - which is what keeps us all going.

That's it for now, more tomorrow night - the last before our 80km day on Thursday.

Wow, what a day....I'm absolutely unable to describe the pain and suffering that some endured yesterday, and exactly how one feels along the way, but the Long March (8okms) is over and the whole CNCF team made it! What some might call a day from hell, other competitors made light of and came home to camp in good shape, but most of the 170 odd that started are completely shattered and just taking their time recovering in camp today before the last few kilometres tomrrow.

What was supposed to be a relatively easy course took it's toll on all with blisters and the small ups and downs became mountains, and what was supposed to be shortish distances between checkpoints ended up going on for what seemed like forever. The last few stages necessitated navigating in the dark with glow sticks - or not, as some of the villagers had taken them, so quite a bit of guesswork going on for some - and a crawl into the camp either late last night or early this morning.

We're all doing OK, and enjoying the camraderie that this type of event brings out. Tentmates and walking partners who previously had no knowledge of each other have become fast & firm friends. The surprise to me was how people pulled their strength from others and helped each other through the various phases, with food, medicines, bandages, and just general support.

An amazingly hard day, and I for one will not be repeating something similar anytime soon, but we made it, and the lives of some of the kids in our care will be enriched because of our efforts. It makes us all proud.

More tomorrow after the final stage....

The last stage in this 'march' is over, and we are done. An easy one compared with what came before, we walked out of our resting place after the long march the day before, on flat, hard packed ground. A couple of not so dry riverbeds, with the rest through villages and with no uphills! This morning we had a staggered start for the first time, with the slowest or walking wounded leaving at 9, the middle group at 10, and the runners at 11 - so that we would all come in to the finish around the same time. That's exactly what happened, and after anywhere ranging between 1 -2 hours, we crossed the line to our medals, sandwiches, shade and cold (!!) beer and soda. Bliss. A short break to celebrate, then onto buses and back to Kashgar for the much needed shower.