Through the Lolldaiga Hills to Ol Jogi

Stage Three carried runners across the vast expanses of the Lolldaiga Hills, a working ranch and conservancy sitting just 20km from Mt Kenya. On a clear day the mountain dominates the skyline, and today’s runners were treated to breathtaking views as they traversed Ole Naishu cattle ranch and wound their way through the wooded foothills that give Lolldaiga its Maasai-inspired name.

Wildlife encounters were once again part of the challenge, with elephant sightings common in this area and a huge roaming herd of giraffe gifting the runners a truly breathtaking view. The final checkpoint sat nestled in a gulley among steep rocky slopes, perfumed by fields of lemon-scented herbs, a brief reprieve before a punishing climb and steep descent into Ol Jogi Conservancy. Here, runners reached camp, considered by many the most beautiful of the race, with the distant roar of lions and baboons rolling through the night air.

It was all change in the men’s race today, as BATUK runner Rupesh Khapung Limbu turned on the afterburners and blasted ahead of Global Race Series Winner Jon Shield. Jon was hot on his heels in the hilly terrain but it wasn’t enough to catch Rupesh, who gained 35 minutes over the climbs. Rupesh puts himself just 2 minutes and 30 seconds behind Jon in the overall standings with a finishing time of 4:28:00. Jon came across the line in 5:07:00 with Angus Wardlaw once again taking third place with a finish in 5:17. Another consistent performance.

In the Women’s race Ioana Barbu once again lead for the majority of the field, but it was Jacqs Manson and Hollie Woodhouse, working together to reel her in, that took the stage win with a joint first place. It was a game of cat and mouse as the pair closed on Ioana, with the Ice, Highland and Mountain ultra winner stretching her legs on the straights and losing time on the hills. Hollie and Jacqs finished in a strong 6:02:00, with Ioana just 8 minutes behind in 6:10:00. Jacqs now brings the overall gap to the race lead down to 26 minutes.

The mid-field runners worked together to navigate Lolldaiga’s steep climbs and rocky gullies. Times clustered tightly between 6:30 and 7:30, with Kevin Grant (6:35:00) and Juan Jose Fernandez Catalina (6:40:00) leading a determined group through the technical terrain. Amanda Persson (6:40:00), Janessa Wells (6:46:00), and Liz Fife (7:06:00) continued their consistent performances, showing grit and resilience in tough conditions.

Camaraderie was once again a defining feature of this section of the field. Pairs and small groups paced together, encouraging one another through the long final climb into Ol Jogi camp.

As always at this stage of the race, Lolldaiga’s demands took their toll. Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone (10:16:00) and Annick Welfring (10:19:00) dug deep to reach camp after more than ten hours on the course, with Olivia Keating (10:32:00)and Pavlína Marková (11:11:00) following in determined fashion. Among the men, Marnix Tiemessen (10:11:00) and Tony Howarth (10:15:00) exemplified persistence over speed, with Mal Smith coming in with a time of 10:44:00 as the final finisher.

A number of participants were listed as “SC” (short course) after being rerouted to ensure safety and arrival at camp before nightfall. While disappointment was clear, the resolve to push on remains strong, and the spirit of the event shone through.

Stage Three was a turning point. Rupesh Khapung Limbu has now stamped his authority on the men’s race, while the women’s standings are tightening with Hollie and Jacqs stage victory bringing them closer to the front. With the hardest terrain still to come, nothing is settled. Every climb, descent, and kilometre still matters.