Wellsh weather in Errachidia

We are staying in a lovely Hotel in Erfoud in the Errachidia province with temperatures around 20 degrees C and are fed the best french food we can dream off. All in good spirit and starting to accept our fate. The french organisation has been nothing but brilliant. Say what you want about the Frogs, they have just gone up a few notches in my estimation. Thanks Zoe for putting the photo on the blog. I was there when the helicopter took it. At that stage we were still in the tents. Later the water raised so high the Moroccan Army evacuated us in troop carriers. Overnight the water raised and the whole camp including the admin bit (not shown in the photo) were under water and some tents has washed away. The first stage 30km start at the camp and goes through a couple of (dry) river beds.

The new arrangements are...
The first stage on Sunday is cancelled.
Today was supposed to be the admin and registration day at camp.this has now changed. We will go to another hotel where the French stay and do the admin there. This involve checking our kit, medical checks and handing in all our luggage that we do not carry during the race.
After the admin day we return to the hotel in our racing kit for the night.
Early Monday morning trucks will pick us up and drop us off at the new start point. We don't know yet where it is.

Originally we were all disappointed because no one want to return home saying they have done half a race. Everyone here want to be tested to their full potential. However this soon passes as we realised that the organisers were greatly concerned about our welfare because of the expected high humidity. They expect this to be the hardest race yet despite been 30km shorter. It transpired that in 2006 they had their biggest drop out rate because of humidity. Apparently no one is prepared for that environment and competitors overheat and suffer far more foot injuries. Hydration is also more difficult and the organisers is unsure how much more water we need. Bear in mind more water need to be carried and due to the remoteness of some routes they can not change the frequency of watering points which is up to 20km apart in some stages. In 2006 many were hospitalised and one Englishman had to be induced into a coma and flown to Europe for treatment.

It may be an unexpected adventure and although we enjoy it and are making the most of it, it is not why we are here and we are on pins and needles for the race to start. General attitude about the organisers concern over the safety and conditions....Bring it on, that is why we are here.