Gobi March (China) 2008 Fundraiser
Imagine running 250 kilometers in seven days ... across the world's largest cold winter desert ... over mountains, grasslands, salt flats and sand dunes. That's what nearly 200 individuals from 23 countries will be doing this June, and six of them will be competing in support of the ground-breaking research being conducted at the Scott Kirkbride Melanoma Research Centre.
Total Funds Raised: $28,750
The Challenge
The Gobi March is a footrace across 250 kilometers of the Gobi Desert of northwest China, which comprises one of the legs of the 4 Deserts, a unique worldwide endurance series.
Competitors are required to be fully self-supported throughout the event, which means they must carry all the food, gear and clothing they will need to complete the course. The only assistance provided is water, tents and medical assistance.
The weather in the Gobi (Mongolian word for "waterless place") can be very extreme - competitors must be prepared to deal with anything from snow to temperatures above 40°C, violent sand storms and strong winds.
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[L to R]: Jamie & Garry Prendiville, Mark Dawson, and Bill Biffin
The Team
In 2005, the Prendiville family entered the record books as the largest group of siblings to swim the English Channel, and raised more than $3,500 for the Scott Kirkbride Melanoma Research Centre in the process.
After a well-earned break they're back at it, and are determined to exceed their previous efforts in every way. Competing this time will be brothers Garry, Patrick, Michael and Jamie Prendiville, along with family friends Bill Biffin and Mark Dawson.
Together they'll race across the Gobi desert, and once again will be raising awareness and funds for the SKMRC.
| Latest News (also see the official breaking news) |
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| April 6th 2008 | Follow Patrick Prendiville's preparations in his Gobi March blog |
| May 20th 2008 | Follow Jamie Prendiville's preparations in his Gobi March blog |
| May 26th 2008 | Gobi March (China) 2008 Press Release |
| June 4th 2008 | Follow Garry Prendiville's preparations in his Gobi March blog |
| June 8th 2008 | The 2008 Gobi March (China) has begun! You can see all of the Pre-race photos and read the Pre-race update on the race website. You can email the team during the race with messages of support, or just follow the daily updates on the official website. There is also a collection of videos - be sure to keep an eye out for the SKMRC team! |
June 8th 2008
(Sunday night) | Stage 1 is now complete! You can see all of the Stage 1 photos and read the Stage 1 update on the race website. For a more personal account, you can read Jamie and Patrick's latest blog entries. This first day saw temperatures of around 35°C (100°F) and several competitors requiring IV fluids. The leaderboard positions after the first Stage are Bill (#33), Patrick (#43), Michael (#47), Jamie (#71), Mark (#89) and Garry (#90).
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June 9th 2008
(Monday night) | Stage 2 is now complete! You can see all of the Stage 2 photos and read the Stage 2 update on the race website. For a more personal account, you can read Jamie and Patrick's latest blog entries. Stage 2 was predicted to be the most difficult section of the course due to a series of small clay-like hills called "The Red Zone", which weren't made any easier with the day's soaring temperatures. The leaderboard positions after the first 2 Stages are Michael (#34), Patrick (#42), Bill (#73), Jamie (#85), Mark (#98) and Garry (#104).
Photos:
1. Bill makes his way down one of the many clay hills in "The Red Zone".
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June 10th 2008
(Tuesday night) | Stage 3 is now complete! You can see all of the Stage 3 photos and read the Stage 3 update on the race website. For a more personal account, you can read Jamie and Patrick's latest blog entries. The day that started off with a relatively easy leg racing through farmland and villages, but then slowly turned into a hard climb up to "Heaven's Gate" at an altitude of 2500m. The leaderboard positions after the first 3 Stages are Michael (#33), Patrick (#52), Bill (#87), Jamie (#90), Mark (#94) and Garry (#96).
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June 11th 2008
(Wednesday night) | Stage 4 is now complete! You can see all of the Stage 4 photos and read the Stage 4 update on the race website. For a more personal account, you can read Patrick's latest blog entry. This leg of the race saw competitors shed their packs and trek to the highest point of the race, a natural rock bridge 3000m above sea level called "Heaven's Gate". They then sped down a series of makeshift ladders to reclaim their packs, and finished the day's leg by crossing mountain ridges, a dry riverbed, and a grassy valley that quickly turned into an arid length of desert road leading into the night's camp. The leaderboard positions after the first 4 Stages are Michael (#27), Patrick (#56), Bill (#83), Jamie (#94), Mark (#96) and Garry (#101).
Photos:
1. Bill makes his way down one of the ladders on his descent from Heaven's Gate.
2. Mark and Garry pass other competitors as they head up the loop track.
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June 12th 2008
(Thursday night) | Stage 5 stretches over 2 days, with competitors allowed to sleep at the half-way checkpoint if they desire. You can read Part 1 of the Stage 5 update on the race website.
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June 13th 2008
(Friday night) | Stage 5 is now complete! You can see all of the Stage 5 photos and read Part 2 of the Stage 5 update on the race website. For a more personal account, you can read Jamie and Patrick's latest blog entries. Stage 5 was the longest of the stages at 79km, hence the title 'The Long March'. It began with a gradual 300m ascent - the last climb of the race and one of the most scenic, with stunning views along the way. This was followed by a steep descent, and then a long day of the dreaded, rocky riverbeds. Competitors had until 11pm Thursday night to reach the half-way point, and then until midday Friday to finish the stage. The leaderboard positions after the first 5 Stages are Michael (#71), Patrick (#96), Bill (#109), Jamie (#114), Mark (#115) and Garry (#117) - the boys did this stage as a team, covering the 79km together in a time of 24:08:55.
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June 14th 2008
(Saturday night) | Stage 6, and therefore the 2008 Gobi Desert March, is now complete! You can see all of the Stage 6 photos and read the Stage 6 update on the race website. The leaderboard positions across the finish line were Michael (#72), Patrick (#97), Bill (#113), Jamie (#116), Mark (#118) and Garry (#120). Congratulations to all six on an absolutely awe-inspiring effort!
Photos:
1. Patrick was the first of the team to cross the finish line, running Stage 6 in 1:20:49.
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