Ray Zahab has been in the Gobi Desert for a month now as he continues his attempt to run through that massive and demanding environment. When he’s done, he hopes to have covered 2300 km (1430 miles) in approximately 35 total days, averaging roughly 70 km (43.5 miles) per day. Along the way, he has been interacting with the locals that inhabit the Gobi and learning about the effects of desertification on their lives and homeland. As is typical with one of Ray’s expedition’s, he is also sharing those insights and experiences with classrooms around the globe.
Yesterday was a rest day for Ray and his support team as they prepare for their final leg of this journey. With just 320 km (198 miles) left to run, the toughest challenges may still lay ahead. The route will now take our intrepid ultrarunner into one of the most desolate and difficult regions of the Gobi yet. A region that is seldom visited and largely unexplored. So much so, that Ray says that the team will share their video with the Mongolian government to help them understand the environment he’ll be running through much better.
As he enters the stretch run, Ray is planning on reach the finish line this coming weekend. It won’t be easy however as this next segment is incredibly dry, warm and utterly devoid of places to resupply. They are leaving the last settlements behind as they move into this “No Man’s Land.” Over the next few days, they’ll have to rely on themselves and the supplies they’ve brought along to see them through to the end.
Stay tuned for updates and check out the video below to see what Ray has been dealing with on his run so far. The Gobi looks incredible but I’m not sure I’d want to run for 35 days across it.
Expedition Gobi – Khongoryn Els (Singing Sands) from GOi2P on Vimeo.
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