It takes place in the Kalahari Desert, with a route that passes through the Augrabies Falls National Park as well as Khamkirri, Thorntree and Dabaras private game farms. Participants run in the footsteps of the ancient Bushmen through the fertile vineyards of the Orange River Valley, across rocky outcrops and into the desolate Great Kalahari Desert.
The contrasting environment, with average day temperatures reaching in excess of 40 °C dropping to below 5 °C at night, presents a daunting challenge. After day two of the marathon, Daniel Rowland was in first place, while his brother, Brian and father, Jonathan occupied the eighth and 20th positions out of 63 runners.
Should he triumph, the Bulawayo-born Daniel would have made it two major races this year, after he who won the Atacama Crossing earlier this year. The two races have a similar format, giving the former Christian Brothers College man an advantage.