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The Gobi March celebrates its fifth year with competitors from 29 countries expected for the second leg of the 4 Deserts which begins on 8 June in Kashgar, China; money will also be raised for the earthquake victims in China
(21 May 2008, Hong Kong) -- In the far northwest corner of China, along the ancient Silk Road, the next leg of the 4 Deserts, the Gobi March, is set to begin in an area which has rarely seen tourists before, Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture. Located on the border with Kyrgyzstan, the Kizilsu Kirghiz Autonomous Prefecture's Kirghiz population constitutes about 30% of the prefecture with Uyghur and Tajik minorities making up the remaining population. It is in this area that the competitors will traverse the toughest terrain and most brutal climate on Earth in what is also known as the "The Race of No Return."
This year's Gobi March again features some of the best endurance athletes in the world, as well as many who simply want to finish and raise money for a great cause at the same time. The field includes: best-selling author and "Ultramarathon Man," Dean N. Karnazes of the United States, Kenneth "Tintin" Johansson of Sweden and Bush Doctor, Paul H. Liebenberg of Australia -- three competitors who are vying to be the first in the world to complete the 4 Deserts in one calendar year. The field also includes Chile's top ultramarathoner, Juan Encina, and the champions of Hong Kong's most prestigious endurance event, the Trailwalker, Siu Keung Tsang and Ka Wai Wong both of Hong Kong.
Teams in the event include the following: a group of eleven raising money for The Christina Noble Children's Foundation; a team from Microsoft raising money for Save the Children; a team of bankers from UBS in Asia; the first ever team from Spain, Team Llieda Extrem; Team Tri-Seekers of Singapore; Team Moonwalkers of the United States; and the official team from China, Team Esquel. There is also a contingent of four brothers from Australia, simply known as The Prendivilles, who will be competing as individuals to raise money for The Scott Kirkbride Melanoma Research Center in Australia.
The Gobi March 2008 will begin on the edge of Kyrgyzstan and wind through mountainous terrain with altitudes reaching about 3,000 meters (10,000 feet). Competitors will be taken through what the locals refer to simply as "The Gobi" – which means rocks and barren terrain, small, but steep mountains, grassy oases, freezing rivers and villages so ancient that the only mode of transport is by donkey.
Competitors in the Gobi March will have access to a cybertent which will feature ten Intel-powered aidstation laptops. Breaking news from the field will be sent utilizing these Intel-powered laptops and BGAN satellites.
The Esquel Group, one of the largest employers in Xinjiang Province, is again working with RacingThePlanet with regard to government and community relations. In addition, The Esquel Group has sponsored the official "Team China."
The Coca-Cola Company will be supplying more than 10,000 bottles (1.5 liter) of water for the Gobi March. The Coca-Cola Company has been involved with the Gobi March since its inception in 2003.
RacingThePlanet, in conjunction with The Esquel Group, will be making contributions of books to six schools along the course. In addition, RacingThePlanet will be raising money for the earthquake victims in Sichuan Province by selling special RacingThePlanet frisbees and by auctioning off three hot showers to competitors at the end of Stage 4 (Note: competitors are allowed no outside assistance during the event).
Writers from Hong Kong, Malaysia, Brazil and the United States will be at the event to capture stories for newspapers, magazines and websites worldwide. Television coverage will also be provided of the event.
Website coverage of the Gobi March (China) 2008 can be found at www.4deserts.com featuring hundreds of pictures, breaking news texts, daily journals, video clips, field updates and full results.
About RacingThePlanet Limited
RacingThePlanet Limited is an international outdoor lifestyle brand and global leader in organizing some of the world's most prestigious outdoor events including the 4 Deserts, a series of 7-day footraces across the world's largest and most forbidding deserts. These events include the Gobi March in China, the Atacama Crossing in Chile, the Sahara Race in Egypt and The Last Desert in Antarctica. These locations represent the driest, hottest, coldest and windiest places on Earth. In addition, a fifth annual event 'RacingThePlanet' roves to a new country each year. The 4 Deserts and RacingThePlanet events attract individuals from all backgrounds and from all walks of life, the majority being professionals including bankers, lawyers, airline pilots and medical doctors. For further information about RacingThePlanet, please visit the website at www.racingtheplanet.com or www.4deserts.com.
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