Abu Dhabi Challenge - THULE Adventure Team(NZL) first to finish gruelling desert trek

At 13:35, 4 tiny shimmering figures emerged from the massive humpbacked undulations of rose tinted sand towering above the salt flats close to Moreeb Dune on the edge of the “Empty Quarter”.

Current race leaders, THULE ADVENTURE (NZL) had finally made it through, what everyone this year has agreed is the toughest ever stage on the ADAC, 28h30’ after leaving Qasr al Sarab. “I can’t believe we’re here,” spluttered Elina Ussher as she plugged in at the finishing arch.

The entire team was categorical about this punishing stage: “It was much tougher this year, especially with the MTB section in the morning and we had to scramble up the steep, soft sand in the dark.” Yesterday morning, the Kiwis were one of the only teams not to rest at H3 early in the section, opting to run through the hottest part of the day: “We just wanted to maximise our time running during the daylight and were surprised to see team 28 stopped at H3 with the others…” shared Richard and Nathan.