Gobi March 2007

1. Gobi March 2007 By John McKenna Managing Director www.Travel-the-Real-China.com

2. Gobi March 2007 The Race Concept The Gobi March is a self-supported footrace across 150 miles (250 kilometers) within the Gobi Desert in China. The race consists of six stages, lasting 7 days, with distances ranging from 10 to 50 miles (20 - 80 kilometers) per stage. Checkpoints are conveniently positioned along the course every 7 or 8 miles (10 - 12 kilometers). Competitors are required to be fully self-supported throughout the event and must carry all their own food, gear and clothing which they will need to complete the 150 mile (250 kilometer) course. Water and a place in a tent is provided daily..

3. Gobi March 2007 A Global Desire Individuals and teams, from 23 countries competed in the Gobi March (China) 2007, the first event of the year in the grueling 4 Deserts series.  Normally the field is limited to 100, however due to an overwhelming demand, was expanded to 180 to accommodate a record number of applications from all over the world.This year's event took place in the remote areas surrounding the oasis of Kashgar located in the far northwest of China in Xinjiang Province, also a major focal point of the ancient Silk Road . The course surrounded the little known area of Tashkorgan, off the Karakoram Highway , the highest paved road in the world.  In the shadow of the famous mountains K2 and K5, and starting at an elevation of 2399 meters (7870 feet), the Gobi March took competitors through many gorges, canyons, dried river beds and flat desert before crossing a 3815 meter (12,516 foot) mountain pass.  Competitors also spent one night in a Tajik village which welcomed them warmly, their first-ever foreign visitors.   The finish was in front of the 400-year-old Id Kah Mosque in the center of Kashgar where the governor of the province presented medals to finishers Thousands gathered to watch the courageous athletes finish this amazing 250km race.

4. Gobi March 2007 Race Location Tashkorgan County, the location of the Gobi March (China) 2007, is located south west of Kashgar, in the eastern part of the Pamir Plateau, where the Kunlun, Kara Kunlun, Hindukush and Tian Shan mountains come together, at the borders with Afghanistan (Wakhan Corridor), Tajikistan (Gorno-Badakhshan Province) and Pakistani-controlled Kashmir. The county seat is the city of Tashkorgan.

5. Gobi March 2007 Race Stages Stage 1:   Tajikistan in China (37 kilometers) Stage 2:   Datong Fork (39 kilometers) Stage 3:   Stairway to Heaven (42 kilometers) Stage 4:   The River that Never Ends (38 kilometers) Stage 5:   The Long March (82 kilometers) Stage 6:   In the Shadow of Chairman Mao (12 kilometers)

6. Gobi March 2007 My Race Stages Stage 1:  Tajikistan in China (37 kilometers) For me, this was by far the hardest stage of the race, with a full pack weighing about 13kg.This was the first day out on my feetand it became a long day of around 8hrs. I didn’t manage my electrolyte intake very well – think I overdosed. I felt sick and could not eat for most of the day, and came in completely wrecked. I was disorientated on what to do once I arrived; with head spinning I needed to get myself some food and to look after my feet before getting to bed. The fast guys have already been in camp for 3 to 4 hours so they are all settled; more runners will arrive after me later on into the night.

7. Gobi March 2007 My Race Stages Stage 2:  Datong Fork (39 kilometers) Felt much better this morning. All the food I have experimented with over the last few months has worked out very well. I reduced the electrolyte intake today and felt much better; really enjoyed the day.

8. Gobi March 2007 My Race Stages Stage 3:  Stairway to Heaven (42 kilometers) Getting stronger and enjoying the days now; food and feet holding out; no blisters …yet. Went to 3815m where it snowed at the top of the mountain; very hard climb to the top; seems to be no air; rainedon the way down; perfect sunshine for the rest of the day. Rivers are now much higher than expected, which made it more fun with the crossings.

9. Gobi March 2007 My Race Stages Stage 4:  The River that Never Ends (38 kilometers) Just getting better and better; everything is working out brilliantly.

10. Gobi March 2007 My Race Stages Stage 5:  The Long March (82 kilometers) This is the day everyone worries about. It’s called the “Long March”, is in every ‘Racing the Planet’ race, and we get 24 hrs to complete the distance. We started with a straight-up climb of 500m. I was almost done in after this. We then followed riverbeds, roads, camel tracks, went through villages, schools etc and ended up at checkpoint 6 on the edge of a vast desert plain. From here we headed into the desert for the last two check points around 24km; this was all done at night and the calmness of the desert and fabulous night sky was amazing to experience. Now feeling strong and excited as I finished at 2-30am with a time of 17.5hrs. It was a great day.

11. Gobi March 2007 My Race Stages Stage 6:In the Shadow of Chairman Mao (12 kilometers) This was an easy 12k and we weaved our way through the narrow lanes of the old district of Kashkar, through courtyards , schools etc. We finished the race in front of the famous 400 year-old mosque in downtown Kashkar amongst locals dancing, and with thousands of onlookers. It was a great way to end a truly amazing week. I would love to do this again.