BUNGAY Black Dog Runner Bob Jack recently returned from South Africa after completing the 10th Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon held in the beautiful and contrasting landscape of the Northern Cape's 'Green Kalahari' on the Namibian border in early October.

BUNGAY Black Dog Runner Bob Jack recently returned from South Africa after completing the 10th Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon held in the beautiful and contrasting landscape of the Northern Cape's 'Green Kalahari' on the Namibian border in early October.

The event was a self-sufficient run held over six legs in seven days with set distances for each day, ranging from 18 to 54 miles. The event went way beyond merely covering 156 miles in extreme conditions.

The temperatures varied from mid 40 degrees celsius to single figures in the evening.

The largest-ever number of 73 competitors from 15 countries started the event which after a rare thunderstorm, was initially plagued by endless swarms of midges that bit all revealed skin.

As the temperatures rose during the week, so did the damage to the feet.

Medical staff acknowledged that by day six, Bob had the 'worst feet in camp'.

Bob was delighted to finish in 66th position. Three competitors had dropped out during the event due to fatigue and extreme blisters.

Bob is now planning another extreme event in 2011 - dragging a sledge, unsupported, across the Arctic Circle in Canada for 120 miles in minus 40 degrees Celsius!