Page 31 of Runner 13

The Ultra Bros Podcast

Hot & Sandy Edition

Mac: Hello, bros and bro-lasses! Mac here for a quickie, because guess what?

I finally get to leave the confines of this podcast booth – all right, all right, the cupboard under the stairs I’ve converted for the cause – and head to Morocco myself.

First of all, I want to say ta very much to everyone who’s been getting in touch since our last live podcast. Especially huge thanks for all the messages of support and well wishes for Jason.

I’ve got them lined up and ready to show him when he wakes up.

I know how chuffed he’ll be. Things were a bit touch and go – classic Jason, bringing the drama – but the latest report is that he’s turned a corner and is on the mend.

A reminder that if you want to connect with other listeners, leave a message for Jason or send in a burning question you want me to ask our mystery guest, you can join the chatter on our Ultra Bros forum.

It’s pretty lively over there. For Ampersand noobs like me, I’m learning a lot.

Like, did you know that Boones had a daughter?

Someone who ran in Big & Dark back in the nineties posted an image of Boones with a little girl at the starting line.

Imagine having Boones for a da. Doesn’t strike me as a warm and friendly hug-a-minute type.

I wonder if she’s a runner? In addition to learning some new trivia and bonding with other Boones-race obsessives – excuse me, Booneshounds – you can contribute to the book of condolences we’ve set up for Nabil’s family.

There’s a fundraising page too, should you feel inclined.

There’s been an outpouring of messages and support already and it warms my normally feckin’ freezing cockles to see the racing community rally round like this.

Keep donating and keep writing. But the race must go on …

and speaking of, day two of the Hot & Sandy has taken another unexpected turn.

Our man on the ground texted in – it’s too difficult for him to speak on the phone, since Boones and his security team is on high alert after the last podcast release.

Still, his message delivered a shocker: that Boones didn’t actually start the second stage of the race.

Some chap named Henry did. Now, I’m not the sleuth Jason is, but if we’re talking about Henry Roth, then he’s the CEO of Blixt Energy, the same guys who sponsor our podcast. I swear we had nothing to do with it!

So is Blixt running the show now? Have they taken over the Ampersand races?

Have we seen the end of the Boones era? While you chew on that, how about an update on the race itself?

The GPS tracker shows that without Nabil and Farouk, the front runner is now Rupert Azzario.

He’s had the lead for almost the entire stage, so I doubt if he’s going to let it go now.

If he can establish a good time in these early stages, then it is going to be very difficult for the other elites to catch him over the long day.

He’s got the strategy down pat – no matter what Boones seems to throw at him, he overcomes it.

Looks like he’s about to do the same for this one and come out of it a lot richer.

There’s also another dot to keep an eye on.

One of the fun runners seems to be making their way through the field.

Isn’t that interesting? They’ve been keeping up with the elites, even passing some of them.

I wonder what Boones will do about that.

Or maybe it’s not up to him any more and Blixt is calling all the shots?

Let me know your thoughts on the forum. I need you all to be sleuth-Jason to my ignoramus-Mac.

Back with another live after the second stage has finished.

The Ultra Bros Podcast is brought to you by Blixt Energy.

For when ‘I can do hard things’ just isn’t enough.

Blixt. Fire up your fortitude.