Jason Black completes gruelling unsupported endurance race in Oman

Letterkenny endurance athlete Jason Black has completed the gruelling 2018 BikingMAN Oman, a 1,050km unsupported race.

BikingMAN Oman started and finished in Muscat. It was the first ever self-supported ultra-cycling race in the middle east.

Black had several long delays due to punctures and was up in second in the race at one stage. One puncture cost the Letterkenny man seven hours.

The race got underway early on Sunday morning and competitors had a maximum of five days to complete the course.

Searing temperatures of over 30 degrees heightened the pressure on the competitors. Black – who later this year will compete in the Race Across America with Joe Barr – prepared using a turbo trainer beside heat lamps at home.

Riders had to carry everything they needed, including refreshments, medical supplies and bedding.

The course included the Hajar Mountains, Jebel Shams Pass, the Ash Sharqiyah Desert and Arabian Seaside Roads.