Roscoff -- the starting line

Stephanie is ready to go!

Don Winkley & Reiner Koch.  Reiner, a 21-year-old student from Germany proved to be untouchable, winning every stage of the race and averaging better than 8 min/mile for the entire race.

Philippe Favreau & Jean-Claude Le Gargasson battled for 2nd place until Philippe was forced to retire during stage 11 due to an achilles injury.  Philippe was only the third (and last) runner to drop from the race.

"nightlife" -- click here for more pics

Ria Buiten leads Guus Smit and Karlheinz Kobus

Mike Susedik accompanies Eric Krea and Stephanie.  Mike supported Stephanie and me, on any given day helping whichever of us needed him most.  Mike's support was crucial to me when I was struggling with tendonitis of the shins in the middle stages of the race.

Guus Smit runs along the Loire River

Stage 5 finished in front of a chateau in St. George sur Loire

Daniel Muller

FEET!  Click for more feet.

Philippe Grizard (here in Chatellerault) was usually the last finisher, often only minutes under the cut-off.  I struggled with tendonitis of the shins every day starting with stage 6, and could do nothing but walk during stages 8-12.  I saw a lot of Philippe during this time & came to have tremendous respect for him.  It is very difficult psychologically to be chasing the cut-offs every day!

We received a warm welcome in many small towns where we stayed.  This elderly couple brought coffee for the runners before the start of the stage in St Sulpice les Feuilles.

The finish line in Bourganeuf

MORE PHOTOS CLICK HERE!

Guus Smit monkeys around before the start of Stage 11