Day: September 28, 2001

Friday, September 28^th / Day 30

Miles/day: 38.5  (62km)   Total: 1302.7 miles (2 094km)

Daily running time:7h54mn

Daily average speed: 4.88m/h

 Our last cool nights: a col at an altitude of 14868.4ft (4 520 m)

Today, last day high in altitude(Col Cumbre.) After a quiet and fresh night, Serge has left Caracollo at the crack of dawn ,6am. The mountains are quite close, he must cross the eastern part of the Andes, on the east of the Altiplano. He must draw on his reserves to cover the  miles needed to finish the race on time, that is to be in Rio on November 11^th.  After 10.6miles (17km), Serge runs through the village of Leque Palca, lost in the middle of the mountains.It’s market day , busy day. Then he starts the steep climbing to the col which is reached after 21.7 miles(35km).He must struggle against a chilly wind and  a burning sun.The stage drags on.