Line Caliskaner vant femdagersløpet Ultra X Jordan

Ultra X Jordan er et fem dagers etappeløp i ultramaraton som arrangeres i Wadi Rum-ørkenen i Jordan som i år ble arrangert for 10. gang. Hoveddistansen er 220 km fordelt på fem etapper, og ble arrangert fra 28. september til 2. oktober.

Line løp de fem etappene på 23:05:19, og vant kvinneklassen med en margin på 48 minutter. Kun en av herreløperne var foran Line i mål. Line var altså nummer to totalt av de 62 deltakerne.

8 days after World Championships 100k I was back on the start line. This time for a stage race (5 days - 223k in total) in the desert. I arrived Jordan Friday afternoon, passed the kit check on Saturday and Sunday morning we left Amman heading for Wadi Rum. I was prepared for a week with baby-wipes, but when we arrived camp we was surprised with showers set up. (The question was will it continue when we move to the next camp?) In camp we settled in our designated tents. I shared tent with coach Sondre Amdahl, Elisabet Barnes, PhD - UltraCoach, Valentina from Ukraine (living in UK), Nate from US (living in Jordan) and Michael from New Zealand.

On Sunday evening it was a short brief about next day’s stage.

Every day the warm water (for coffee, freeze dried food etc) was available 2 hours before the start. Medics and therapists was ready to help with blisters and taping if needed, 1,5 hours before the start. In general every stage had check-point (CP) with access to water, medics, therapists and every 7k. You might think this sounds like a walk in the park. I can tell you it wasn’t. 7k in sand (some of it very soft) under the sun is not easy and to fill up with water and electrolytes is essential to get through the day. After finish line every day we could put our bib no on a list for massage. It was really good the get the legs loosen up a bit to get ready for next day. After massage, a quick shower and some food I spent in the tent relaxing and recover for the day after.

This is pretty much how the week went by. I will make separate posts about each day a bit later for those who are interested. (https://www.facebook.com/line.caliskaner)

We left the desert on Saturday morning heading back to reality with cellphone and internet connection. It had been a fantastic week with memories for life and new friends.

ULTRA X, you really know how make a flawless event and get the best people onboard (volunteers, medics and therapists.) What an amazing group of people. Always smiling, cheering and did everything they possibly could for us. THANK YOU!!