Noble cause: Mike Denoma, (USA, 284) is running to raise money in the fight against paedophilia. He’s campaigning to close down paedophilia sites. Go to www.race4innocence.com to find out more what this young father of six is fighting against.

Noble cause (2): Karim Mosta (France, 13), who has 18 MDS under his belt, is collecting wheelchairs to distribute to AMH - the Moroccan association for the disabled. He’s managed to collect 50 wheelchairs so far this year.

I won the bet !: Kate Spicer (643) and Emma Sayle (630) both from the UK made a bet on how many people would pull out of the race in stage 4. Emma had predicted 24… she hit the nail on the head!

The million-dollar question : in this morning’s briefing before the race, Patrick Bauer invites Jean-Charles Calvo (172) to step forward. He looks a bit worried especially when the race director asks him if his girlfriend’s name is Sandrine. Yes replies the runner. And do you have a little girl aged 2 and a half? Affirmative. “Well Sandrine wants to know if you’ll marry her”. With tears in hi says, Jean-Charles says « I do » to rounds of applause from the 585 competitors present.

Bye-bye bivouac : The team of 12 in charge of the competitors’ bivouac are preparing to say adieu to competitors tomorrow morning. They’ll be doing a round of honour from 6 a.m., popping into each of the 100 tents. A big moment, full of emotion, for these ultra-marathonians as they wave goodbye to their nannies. And to close the bivouac in style…, competitors have been treated to a classical music concert… 12 musicians from the Opéra de Paris and Egyptian diva Amira Selim…. A final poetic touch under the starry skies of the Sahara.