Zahab goes it alone in the Gobi
Canadian adventurer Ray Zahab has already run a staggering 2,000km from his start point in Mongolia and still faces a final 300km before he reaches the planned finish line…
Despite starting this unprecedented challenge with a running partner Kevin Lin, Ray is now facing long days of the barren landscape on his own after injury forced Lin to withdraw.
Zahab commented:
“I’m going to really miss Kevin, but hopefully we’re going to join back up at the end of the expedition, and I’m looking forward to that! Right now my body is beat up and, I’ve lost my third layer of facial skin from the driving winds and the constant heat.”
inov-8 athlete Zahab has not let anything hold him back, completing on average 70km a day as he reaches the end of this epic journey. Zahab is now heading in a westerly direction not far from the Chinese border and will finish his 2,300km run inside Mongolia.
Ray Zahab
Zahab has fallen for the country and has been warmly welcomed by its inhabitants. The renowned international explorer has been welcomed at Mongolian villages, stumbled upon local festivals and even taught how to make alcohol from milk. Zahab has also met many curious schoolchildren who he has inspired with the tales of his experiences, something he does back in North America through his foundation impossible2possible.
During the Gobi Expedition, professional photographers and videographers are capturing footage and photos of the desert, the people and the expedition. At the end of the expedition, footage will be made available to schools for free download, for use in classroom projects across North America as part of the impossible2Possible Youth Expedition.
For now though Zahab is focussed on the remaining challenge as the terrain he encounters stretches out into pure desert conditions with seemingly never-ending miles of sand ahead. To overcome these harsh conditions Zahab has selected the best equipment available.
British-born brand inov-8 are the company Zahab has turned to supplying his chosen footwear, the inov-8 Trailroc 245, inov-8 Roclite 243 and the inov-8 Terrafly 303. Zahab is also using inov-8’s new clothing range to keep him protected in the extreme remoteness of the Gobi, selecting the inov-8 Race Elite Stormshell and also Race Elite Windshell and he will carry his day supplies in the Race Elite, Race Pro and Race Ultra Vest packs.
The inov8 Race Elite 70 windshell
As Zahab commenced what is considered the most gruelling section of the run he said:
“Running alone can be mentally tough but I can overcome that through positivity. Physically though you have to be prepared. I have trained extremely hard for this but as in the real remoteness of the desert it’s reassuring to know that my footwear and my kit are as resilient as I am. It’s an enormous challenge but I’m loving every minute!”
