A relaxed and calm night, the impact of three tough stages now taking hold and stage 3 was tough! Stage 4 brings the most climbing which basically has three parts, a tough climb to start, a rollercoaster of gravel roads and trails and then a steep and technical descent to the finish. Once at the finish, runner’s are transported to the Sierpe River for stage 4 camp. There is no coast today, no ocean, no beaches, just an epic backdrop of the Talamanca mountains.

The heat today was intense despite a slight breeze that increased as the day passed. There is little shade and the combination of elements make the day a real tough one. The climbs are steep, the descents equally steep, especially the final one.

Cristofer Clemente Mora started the day strong pushing hard and building a 5-minute lead over the chasers, Cody Lind and Jean-Francois Cauchon. However, the lead was short lived. Stage 4 was the day Cody Lind confirmed his presence on the race. He caught Cristofer, pulled away and looked strong all the way to the line for a very convincing win in 4:49:29.

Jean-Francois also looked strong today, but he was no match for Cody. He enjoyed the landscape and route and did all he could to reduce the gap to Cody and extend the gap to Costa Rican, Carlos, who placed 3rd.

The women’s race was much more of a nail-biter with Katie Young and Lina El Kott Helander running close together early on followed by Sanna El Kott Helander.

As the race progressed, the twins switched, with Sanna leading at the front, it came as no surprise, the twins are mountain and skyrunner’s and the terrain would play to their adventure.

Once in the lead, Sanna opened a gap and finished in 7:21:52 with Katie following in 7:32:01; a great result for Katie.

Lina, nursing her right arm finished 3rd, a very impressive run using just one pole to try to address some of the weakness caused by her injury, 7:34:42 on the clock.

Stage Results:

• Cody Lind 4:49:29
• Jean-Francois Cauchon 5:00:05
• Carlos Calvo López 5:18:31

• Sanna El Kott Helander 7:21:52
• Katie Young 7:32:01
• Lina El Kott Helander 7:34:42

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