Blistering heat and harsh winds marked the day on the White Lady Marathon.

Stage Three of the Desert Ultra began with a fiery sunrise over Brandberg Mountain, casting light on the sandy trails of the Ugab Riverbed, which served as the first 15km of the course. Despite its shorter distance, the stage proved punishing. Runners faced soaring temperatures exceeding 50°C and relentless high winds that lashed across the desert, sapping energy with every step.

Adding to the challenge was the omnipresent risk of elephant crossings, a stark reminder of the wilderness in which the runners compete and one that forced them to keep their eyes peeled. The long, steady ascent from the midpoint tested both physical endurance and mental fortitude, before a gradual descent rewarded participants with the promise of rest at a scenic camp surrounded by boulders and rock pillars.

Jon Shield extended his dominance with another stellar performance, crossing the finish line first in 4:42:00 to win the men’s race. His ability to maintain focus and pace under such extreme conditions continues to set him apart from the field. Carla Andre claimed first in the female race and the second overall position in 5:27:00, her remarkable resilience shining through once again.

Second on the men’s podium was Carlos Constantino, finishing in 5:37:00, his consistency and determination securing a well-earned spot. Harry Edmonds and Kasper Fisker pushed each other hard, finishing just a minute apart in third (6:08:00) and fourth (6:09:00), respectively. Both runners demonstrated impressive stamina as they navigated the unforgiving conditions with Harry taking his first ever GRS Podium. For the women, Rosanna Morani (6:42:00) and Rose Blackie (6:50:00) completed the podium, displaying grit in the face of the brutal stage. Rosana looked as if she might slow due to a foot injury from stage one, but she really wants to take second place and her pace and grit today showed that!

Among the women, Lauren Gregory (7:08:00) and Ioana Barbu (7:12:00) showed tremendous perseverance, solidifying their places in the top five despite the grueling heat and winds. It’s still very much all to play for amongst the female runners, with any of the top five able to potentially take the podium spots.

Though finishing toward the back of the field, Emmanuel Brunner displayed unshakable determination on a day where the desert tested everyone’s limits. The Jungle Ultra Finisher found extreme heat to be his nemesis, forcing him into the shade for almost an hour and dropping him right to the back fo the field. Yet, through the hottest part of the day he trudged on and made it across the line.

In a strong mid-pack finish, Peter Magill managed to strike a balance between pacing and endurance, clocking in at 7:26:00. Peter’s approach to the race was methodical, maintaining steady progress despite the tough ascent and unforgiving terrain, and really coming into his own in the soft sand. Nick Watson similarly showed his best performance, battering forward into the top ten in the first half of the race and finding a great pace in the sand.

For Amy Turner, finishing the stage was a testament to pure willpower. Despite three days of sickness, constant fatigue and dehydration she’s soldiered on, water closely by the ever-present medical team. Crossing the line in 9:50:00, Amy has proven she has the determination to persevere in extreme conditions, even managing a smile as she entered camp.

Kim Sonntag continued to build on her race, finishing in 8:47:00 despite the punishing conditions. Kim’s endurance and fortitude have earned her a well-deserved spot in the women’s top six for this stage. Her performance, underpinned by careful pacing and a positive attitude, is a great example of how preparation and focus can overcome even the harshest environments.

The extreme environment took its toll, with several DNFs recorded, including experienced runners such as James Adams, Hannah Goldring, and Marshall Maine. Unfortunately, this is a symptom of competing in such an unforgiving landscape, where the combination of intense heat, high winds, and unrelenting terrain pushes even the toughest athletes to their limits.

Stage Three has underscored the Desert Ultra’s reputation as one of the most extreme challenges in the world. As the competition presses forward, runners will need every ounce of resilience and determination to conquer what lies ahead.

Tomorrow, the world’s hardest half marathon awaits…