MdS 2009: Stage 4 and Overall Results

Wish I could have posted results earlier, but I missed a small window to post in camp after the Stage […]

By on April 5, 2009 | Comments

Wish I could have posted results earlier, but I missed a small window to post in camp after the Stage 4 results were posted and have been tied up since we arrive back in Ouarzazate yesterday afternoon. Anyway, I finished the full marathon distance Stage 4 in 3:42, which was good enough for 26th on the day. I set a strong, but conservative pace from the start. Such a strategy would maximize my team’s position by minimizing the possibility of my blowing up – it worked. Dreamchasers USA stuck solidly in 3rd place. (Read the race’s article on the Dreamhasers USA team) I also held my overall position of 19th. Quite frankly, I ecstatic with this result. Going into the race, I felt that if I nailed it, I might be able to crack the Top 20. Mission accomplished.

More impressive than the Dreamchasers bringing home the first ever MdS team trophy to the US is Meghan Hicks of California placing 2d overall woman. This is the top placing by an American at the Marathon des Sables since Lisa Smith(-Batchen) won the women’s title in 1999.

Marathon des Sables Bryon Powell Michael Wardian Ted ArcherThe Dreamchaser Team
(l-r: me, Ted Archer, Michael Wardian)
(c) Cimbaly

Bryon Powell

Bryon Powell is the Founding Editor of iRunFar. He’s been writing about trail running, ultrarunning, and running gear for more than 15 years. Aside from iRunFar, he’s authored the books Relentless Forward Progress: A Guide to Running Ultramarathons and Where the Road Ends: A Guide to Trail Running, been a contributing editor at Trail Runner magazine, written for publications including Outside, Sierra, and Running Times, and coached ultrarunners of all abilities. Based in Silverton, Colorado, Bryon is an avid trail runner and ultrarunner who competes in events from the Hardrock 100 Mile just out his front door to races long and short around the world, that is, when he’s not fly fishing or tending to his garden.