LEIGH Striders’ Elisabet Barnes upheld her status as Queen of the Desert, after triumphing at the Oman Desert Marathon.

Barnes, who won the 250km Marathon des Sables earlier in the year, is clearly a glutton for punishment as she took part in the five-day 165km event, between November 7 and 12.

Like in the MdS, she won every stage of the women's race in conditions that exceeded 35C – with the race organisers starting the race earlier after the first day.

The self-sufficient race saw all competitors carry their own food, clothing and equipment for the week (although sleeping bags and tents were provided by the organisation) and, aside from a few kilometres it was all sand and very tough going.

But Barnes was not to be denied.

“It was fantastic to experience the friendly and generous Omani culture and to be able to race with people from so many different countries,” said Barnes, who also had to contend with insects, lizards and scorpions on her travels.

A top field of elite runners took the top positions, with three continents on the women’s podium with Silvia Amodio from Uruguay in third, last year's winner, Aziza Raji, from Morocco, in second, and Barnes crossing the line in first place.

The race was made up of six stages, the longest a marathon, starting by the Wasil Castle in Bidiya, East Oman, and finishing by the Arabian Sea.