Gobi Wrap-Up, Intro to Verbier

Thanks to everyone for following along while Team Stray Dogs GoLite raced through the high mountain desert of China during the 2007 Gobi March organized by Racing the Planet. A special thanks to all of you who sent the Stray Dogs e-mail messages during the race, posted your comments here, and sent your personal e-mails to me (Heather, Marshall’s wife) while Marsh was away. Your interest and support are GREATLY appreciated! Truly. Our sincere thanks.

The Stray Dogs, Marshall Ulrich (Marsh), Mark Macy (Mace), and Bob Haugh (Dr. Bob) all returned to the States on Monday June 25, 2007. All reported having a GREAT time, in a beautiful place with spectacular scenery, warm and welcoming locals, wonderful people – racers, volunteers, and race organizers all. They were impressed with the race organization, including a well marked a course with a variety of terrain and scenery; plenty of water, both at the aid stations and hot water at night to cook with; great local entertainment at various locations; and good accommodations, as the tents were more than sufficient, and who else would ever get to stay in the homes of locals in a small village in the middle of nowhere in western China!?! They were also impressed with the Charity work that Racing the Planet does through Operation Smile, an organization that provides surgery to children born with cleft plates and other deformities. Without this organization, these kids would never have surgery at all.

The bug that had hit Mace, and then Dr. Bob, during Stage 4 (remember the 11:30 minutes to complete 29 miles?) and into Stage 5, the Long March of 50 miles, which they were able to complete in 18 hours, hit Marsh on the way home. Oh, and I go it too on Wednesday night and Thursday. While it didn’t last very long, it was very intense! I have no idea how Mace and Dr. Bob continued to race when they had it!!! Or, how Marsh managed on the plane rides home. Icky. That’s my professional medical comment ;-} It proved to me, yet again, that these are TOUGH and DETERMINED guys. Anyway, with the timing and the spread of the bug, it was apparently some kind of virus not necessarily related to under-boiled water. I hope the other racers, and their families, are feeling okay!!

Marsh continues to fight a bit of jet lag, but doesn’t want to get too used to the time in the States, as we’re off on Monday to France and Switzerland for 16 days! That’s right. There’s no stopping Marsh! So… what’s this adventure all about?

Well… first, we are very excited that Marsh’s youngest daughter, Ali who is 17, will be joining us! We will flying to Geneva, Switzerland, and then drive to Chamonix, France to stay for a few days. Ali had expressed some interest in mountaineering awhile back, so Marshall did some training with her on the glacier just above our house (how convenient is that?), including roped travel, using crampons and an ice ax, and self-arrest. Depending on Ali’s fitness level (Marshall had made a training schedule for her) they may attempt to climb Mount Blanc! Marshall reached the summit of Blanc last year, but is thrilled about the possibility of introducing Ali to mountaineering… and, in the Alps no less! What a lucky kid (as another example, she got her SCUBA deep water dive to complete her PADI training in Cancun and Cozumel, Mexico a few years ago). I’ve also heard rumors of parasailing… hmmmm. A drive through the tunnel to Italy (near Torino, where the 2006 winter Olympics were held) for a different view of the Alps may also be in order. Whatever Ali wants to do, we’re delighted that she will have the opportunity to see a bit of Europe, as travel is such a great learning experience.

After Chamonix, the working part – and the real focus of the trip – begins. We will drive to Verbier, Switzerland for an Olympian training camp and the Verbier Ultra Run. Marshall will be working with host Betsy Magee as a coach at the Verbier Olympian Training Camp. Betsy, through her company Extremeworkout, sponsors the camp and has invited Olympic candidates from distant parts of the world to train for their dream. The camp is invitational and Betsy works with the Olympic Committees of the countries represented in order to offer this experience to the young Olympic hopefuls. Assistance with travel and accommodations is provided and runners are encouraged to bring family and friends to enjoy the Swiss Alps. Marsh is honored and delighted to have been invited to coach this Olympian camp and to work closely with his dear friend, Betsy who makes it all happen. Other coaches include Lahcen Ahansal from Morocco, 10 time winner of the Marathon des Sables, and Jackton Odhiambo Wasiema from Kenya, marathon champion and coach. Many of you already know of Jackton since you have so generously sent shoes for his runners! THANK YOU!!!

The young Olympic hopefuls will culminate their training by competing in the 20km Verbier Ultra Run. On race day, July 14th, camp participants and ultra runners from around the world with enjoy the most scenic quality of any race course in the world traveling along the breathtaking mountain tracks and pathways. There are frequent aid stations and there is a pasta party the night before the race and an awards ceremony after the race. To learn more, please go to http://www.extremeworkout.com/verbierrace2007k.htm.

Marsh's hero and mentor, Ted Corbitt, the father of ultra running in the U.S., will also be in Verbier. What an honor it will be to spend more time with Ted, a true legend and a gentleman. To paraphrase a post on the UR list recently, Ted never had to make up categories to be winner. He just went out there and got it done. You will not meet a more understated, humble, kind, focused, or accomplished ultra running champion anywhere.

Ali and I will assist with the Olympian Training Camp and Verbier Ultra Run as we can, and simply enjoy the amazing opportunity to meet young runners from places like Kenya, India, and Morocco, as well as elite ultra runners and champions from around the world.

After Verbier, we will spend a few days in Zermatt, Switzerland, in the shadow of the Matterhorn. Ahh… such a beautiful place!

We’ll try to post a few updates from Europe to let you know how it’s all going! Maybe Ali will have a story to tell about her first climb!? Stay tuned!!

Team Stray Dogs GoLite Win 3rd Place in the 2007 Gobi March in China!

They did it! Team Stray Dogs GoLite finished third in the 2007 Gobi March in Kashgar, China!

Marshall Ulrich (55), Mark Macy (53), and Bob Haugh (55) finished the final 6-mile stage (stage 6) in 1:14 to hold onto their third place finish with a total combined time of 50:48 for the approximately 155-mile race. Overall – for both men and women – they were in 78, 79, and 80th place out of the 157 people that finished the entire course. Here is the information for the Stray Dogs, stage-by-stage.

Stage 1, 22 miles, 05:45:52
Stage 2, 22 miles, 05:32:55
Stage 3, 25 miles, 08:41:00
Stage 4, 29 miles, 11:33:46
Stage 5, 50 miles, 18:00:36
Stage 6, 06 miles, 01:14:14

Total +154 miles in 50:48:23

CONGRATULATIONS STRAY DOGS!

Having only a 7 minute lead going into the final “sprint” stage (a 10K), the Stray Dogs were able to hold off fourth place team Who’s Damien who finished the stage in 1:36 for a total combined time of 51:18. Not bad for a team of 50-something-year-olds who were competing against other teams whose oldest single member was 41-years old, with an average age for their team competition being less than 34-years.

Team Saigon won the team division by completing Stage 6 in 1:07 for a total time of 39:07. Team WSPA was second overall, finishing the final stage in 0:59 for a total combined time of 39:39.

The only other teams to finish the entire course (based on the unofficial times posted on the race Web site today) were China at 60:38 and No Mad at 63:19.

The overall winner of the race is was Mark Tamminga 29:07. Lucy Brooks won the women's division in 29:09, with her fiancé Stephen Hilton finishing right beside her, despite separating his shoulder during Stage 5, placing 2nd and 3rd place overall.

Our friends Alex Nement and Frank Fumich came in 28th and 29th overall, each with a total combined time of 39:35. William Laughlin, who we met at the Sahara race and who is being coached by Ray Zahab, finished 5th overall in 31:16. Wow – way to go guys!

CONGRATS to all of the teams and individuals that completed the 2007 Gobi March!! As one competitor wrote in his blog at the beginning of the race, the real competition for most of the runners were the course and themselves. Each and every individual can be proud of their efforts!

THANKS to GoLite www.golite.com for title sponsorship of the Stray Dogs in the 2007 Gobi March! Your lite-weight equipment made "lite speed" possible for the Stray Dogs across the desert in China.

Thanks also to LEKI, Pacific Outdoor Equipment, ENGO Blister Prevention Patches, Injinji, Dermatone, Exofficio, and Larabar for providing support to Marshall and the Stray Dogs for the 2007 Gobi March; and to all of Marshall's sponsors for your continued support. Please, take a minute and visit their sites (see the links on the right).

Once again, please – if you’re able – send a donation to the Religious Teachers Filippini to support their mission to “Go and Teach” in some of the poorest countries around the world. As always, 100 percent of your donation goes directly to the women and kids, and is tax deductible. To learn more, go to the fundraising page of Marshall’s Web site at www.marshallulrich.com. Send your check today to:

Religious Teachers Filippini
Mission Fund/Marshall Ulrich
455 Western Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960

The Stray Dogs ran HARD in the desert, including a bit of suffering, to ease the suffering of women and children around the world. Won’t you help? You can make a difference; saving the world one woman, one child, at a time.

THANKS again for following along during the Stray Dogs epic adventure across the Chinese desert during the 2007 Gobi March!

Stray Dogs Third After the Long March/Stage 5

Completing the 50-mile Long March/Stage 5 in 18 hours, Team Stray Dogs GoLite is currently in third place overall in the team competition with a total combined time of 48:34. But, Who’s Damien is right on their heals with a total combined time of 49:41 after an aggressive finish time of 15:51 in Stage 5.

Tantra, which had been leading the team competition, appears to no longer be ranked, so Saigon appears to have taken over the lead with a total combined time of 38:00, followed by WSPA at 38:40. Only two other teams remain active, China at 59:06 and No Mad at 60:27.

Out of curiosity, I wondered how the Stray Dogs compared in average age with the other top teams. Here’s what I found, including their overall time through Stage 5.

37 years, 38:00, Siagon
30 years, 38:40, WSPA
54 years, 49:34, Stray Dogs
38 years, 49:41, Who's Damien
35 years, 59:06, China
35 years, 60:27, No Mad

Not bad for a bunch of “ol' dogs” huh?

With only a 6 mile “sprint” to the finish tomorrow morning in Kashgar, it will be interesting to see if the Stray Dogs can hold onto their 7 minute lead. Check in tomorrow for final results!

In the meantime, I thought I’d share a posting on the race Web site http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/ by Ann Beman titled “Stray Dogs stick with their pack.” Thanks to Racing the Planet for highlighting the Stray Dogs!

Marshall Ulrich, Mark Macy, and Robert Haugh first met in a box canyon in the Utah desert. They were individual members of separate teams competing in the first official Eco-Challenge adventure race in 1995. But their teammates had fallen by the wayside. Still strong and not accustomed to giving up, Ulrich, Macy, and Haugh forged on, each fending for himself – like dogs who have strayed from their packs. In that fateful box canyon, they formed a new pack.

Together again 12 years later, Team Stray Dogs are still going strong. Between them, the three 50-something-year-olds have competed in hundreds of ultra distance events, multi-sport adventure races, and generally superhuman feats. They're here in the Gobi March 2007, experiencing overwhelmingly beautiful scenery, the rich hospitality of poor villagers, high-altitude passes, blizzards, scorching heat, donkey cart rides across rising rivers, and gastro-intestinal challenges.

Ulrich alone has completed more than 100 ultramarathons, including four Badwater Ultra wins. The Badwater event starts below sea level in California's Death Valley and ends above 14,000 feet on the peak of Mount Whitney. Ulrich not only remains the only person to run Badwater self-supported, towing his own water and gear behind him on wheels, but he also has run the event as a quad. In other words, back and forth twice – 400 miles through the Mojave Desert. This year will mark his 20th crossing of Death Valley. Nevertheless, Ulrich's greatest achievement, and that of Team Stray Dogs in general, is humility.

“We just sit around and talk about our aches and pains and how to mitigate them,” says Ulrich, explaining why he, Macy, and Haugh decide to enter events together. With 4 Deserts events, such as the Gobi March (Ulrich also competed in the Sahara Race 2005), they appreciate the multi-day stage format. “It's nice to have the downtime to recover,” Ulrich says.

In preparing for their catalog of endeavors, Macy says it's as simple as training for life. “I didn't do anything different to train for this race than what I do every day,” he says. Macy has the advantage of living in the mountains of Colorado. He also rides a mountain bike three or four days a week, and paddles regularly. He also likes to mix things up a bit, now and then throwing in a new athletic discipline such as a 100-mile snowshoe race in Alaska, for example.

As for Haugh, a pathologist who lives in the lower-altitude state of Kentucky, he concedes that he was clueless at first, but now trains more than he ever has. “Bob has the greatest capacity to keep going,” says Ulrich. “He keeps coming back for more.”

The Stray Dogs all keep coming back for more, and for many reasons: for camaraderie among friends, as a vehicle to fundraise for Religious Teachers Filippini, because it's something they've “just gotta do,” and because, says Macy, “You don't ever get to come to places like these [otherwise]. That's what keeps us coming back to things like this.”

In closing, if you can, please send shoes for the runners in Kenya and help the Sister with their mission to “Go and Teach” women and kids around the world. And, check in tomorrow to see how Team Stray Dogs GoLite finishes in the 2007 Gobi March!

Your Shoes for Runners in Kenya

Clean your closet this weekend, and do some good along the way, becuase:

“One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

Your “trash” = your old running shoes. For runners in Kenya their “treasure” = your old running shoes!

Yes, that right! Now you can DO SOMETHING with your old running shoes. Clean out your closet today and send your old shoes TODAY to:

Marshall Ulrich
515 Brook Drive
Idaho Springs, CO 80452

… and he’ll get them to runners in Kenya! How? Well, in July Marshall is coaching Olympic hopeful runners in Verbier, Switzerland at a camp organized by Betsy Magee before her Verbier Ultra on July 14, 2007: go to http://www.extremeworkout.com/verbierrace2007k.htm for more information. Marshall will be coaching with Jackton Odhiambo Wasiema, a wonderful runner from Kenya. Jackton made this request to Marshall, and we are more than happy to help – and hope you will help by sending your shoes!

Well I have some program back here in Kenya for athletics and I would kindly request you to help me if its possible with you. I have a team of about 20 Athletes whom I am training and most of them come from disadvantaged families thus they depend on me to support them in providing them with training equipments e.g. training shoes and running kits.

So I would like to request you if it’s possible with you, because I will be coming to Swizz in July you try and collect for me used training shoes from your friends so that when I come I can get them back for these Athletes. I have talk also to Betsy and she will also try to get me some. Otherwise thank you in advance and hope to hear from you soon.

Yours in athletics
Jackton Odhiambo Wasiema

Now, it may seem strange for you to send your shoes to Colorado, so that Marshall can carry them as luggage to Switzerland, and then Jackton can take them home as luggage to his runners in Kenya. But, that is the way of the world – or, the way of Africa. You see, last year Betsy purchased shoes and shipped them to Jackton in Kenya, but he never got them. What happened to them? Well… that’s hard to say. But, by having Jackton carry them back as luggage the shoes have the best chance of getting to his runners.

We don’t want “totally trashed” shoes, of course; but, good shoes with “too many miles” for YOU will be better than no shoes to Jackton’s runners in Kenya.

Marshall departs for Switzerland on July 2, 2007, so please send your shoes TODAY.

The runners in Kenya will benefit greatly, and your generosity will be truly appreciated.

Thank you,
Heather Ulrich
heather@marshallulrich.com
www.marshallulrich.com
http://marshallulrich.blogspot.com/
www.teamstraydogs.com

Call from Marshall - Stage 5 in About 18 Hours

Just a very quick update tonight, as I just heard from Marshall via phone. It was wonderful to hear his voice!

Team Stray Dogs GoLite finished the long stage in about 18 hours, but Marshall wasn’t sure where they stand in the team competition. However, he said that he was told by RD Mary Gadams that about half of the teams had dropped out of the team competition (remaining members can continue on as individuals). Whether or not the drops included any members of the three teams ahead of the Stray Dogs is unknown but, at worst, it appears that the Stray Dogs remain in fourth place overall in the team competition.

During Stage 4 (remember, the 29-miles took them 11:33 on the 20th) both Mace and Dr. Bob got quite sick – possibly from hot water that was not properly boiled (Marsh had waited for very hot water the evening before, only because he wasn’t that thirsty and waited for hot water to cook with, and did not get sick). Marshall said that they just kind of “hobbled in” to the finish that day. But, of course, they kept going. And, I bet Mace and Dr. Bob didn’t complain, either!
The good news is that both Mace and Dr. Bob are recovered and feeling well. Only a bus ride to Kashgar and a 6 mile stage tomorrow.

Marshall said that the mountain stages, in particular, were absolutely stunning.

Stage 4 Results, Stage 5 In Progress

It appears that Team Stray Dogs GoLite may have had a difficult day yesterday, June 20th during Stage 4, which was a relatively flat course that took them over a rocky river bed for the first stretch, through a canyon, a leafy section through a village, under a bridge, through a dry river in a canyon, and into camp at the base of a side valley. This 29-mile stage took them 11:33, much longer than the top four finishing teams of the day who finished in 6:05 to 7:27. However, it appears that the Stray Dogs are still in fourth place overall in the team competition, with a total time of 31:33.

According to the unofficial results on the race Web site, No Limits remains in first place at 20:58, WSPA second at 23:42, and Saigon third at 24:22. Behind the Stray Dogs in fifth place is China at 33:08, Canada in sixth at 33:42, and Who’s Damien in seventh at 33:50. The remaining three teams range from 37:07 to 44:13. It appears that teams Canada II and Tantra are out of the team competition as apparently one member each as withdrawn from competition.

I did get a message from Marshall dated June 18th at the end of Stage 2 from Langer Village, where they had stayed with local families. He reported that “Things are going very well. Bob, Mace, and I have been having a great time. It was a little hotter today and when we finished we were a bit more tired, but doing very well. I think we are around 63 place and fourth team. The members of the first place team were separated by an hour or so, so I don't know if they will penalize them, but we feel we are doing well and our best.”

I did notice that the original times posted for some of the teams in the early stages were different for different members of the same team, thought that was a bit strange, but figured it was a typo. However, now it appears that perhaps some teams were not traveling together, which is against the rules. I’m not sure if any penalties were or may be applied, but for now it appears that Racing the Planet has given the team the slowest individual time for each stage. Hmmm… what’s the *right* thing to do here??? I'm open to comments!

Anyway, Marshall also reported that “The scenery continues to impress all of us!” and, regarding their stay in the Tajek village, “What a treat! The people are awesome and welcomed us into their homes. As I sit here I listen to the traditional music playing and it is mesmerizing. We went down and washed in the river which was unbelievably refreshing.” He also mentioned “What a great group of volunteers and people participating in the race.”

There is some Stage 5 news available, but no team results as of yet.

In an attempt to keep people from getting too spread out over the 50-mile stage, there was a staggered start to Stage 5 on June 21st. The slowest 50 teams started off from Camp Shepherd’s Canyon at 7 a.m., with the remaining 113 competitors (which should have included the Stray Dogs) starting at 9 a.m. Competitors climbed up the side valley – a steep 656-foot climb that brought racers to the top of a mountain pass at 7,052 feet with a beautiful view. After the mountain pass, the course descended into a canyon with many river crossings, some thigh deep and others too deep to cross, so the racers rode donkey carts across the river between checkpoints 20 (17 miles into Stage 5) and 21 (distance unknown).

“Donkeys are the transport of the desert,” wrote Mildred Cable and Francesca French in their 1940s era travel memoir, The Gobi Desert. And, in 2007, competitors can attest that Cable and French's statement is true ... still ... 75 years later. In fact, donkeys have played a crucial role throughout this year's Gobi March. At the camp at the end of Stage 2 in the Tajik village, about 10 of the long-eared, whip-tailed beasties hauled water and gear to checkpoints in the high pass. Four more Eeyore-look-a-likes carried water to checkpoints for the long stage. And a pair of the sure-footed animals are trailing the last racers into the finish line of the long stage, with their guides picking up armfuls of pink course markers swept from the course. Thus, donkeys will complete the Long Stage ... and without a stitch of Lycra on their weary haunches.

After the donkey-river crossing, there was another climb up to a sandy plateau. Temperatures reached 91 degrees and, reportedly, when there was no wind the heat was stifling. Checkpoint 23 (approximately 37 miles into the stage) was made a mandatory 2-hour stop for all competitors for safety reasons, due to the extreme heat (hhmmmm…. 91 doesn’t sound that extreme?) and the overall length of the course. Tents and hot water were set up at Checkpoint 23 for those who wanted to take a break, and competitors were allowed to sleep there until 6.30 a.m. on Friday, June 22nd (remember, they are 14 hours ahead of CO time). Glow sticks were attached to all the course markers for those who traveled through the night.

The final stretch of the course went off the plateau and arrived at Camp Vista Qi Pan, which is perched at the edge of a stunning gorge. At 9.01 p.m. on the 21st, almost exactly 12 hours after starting (including the mandatory 2-hour stop), Mark Tamminga crossed the finish line, followed by Lucy Brooks and Stephen Hilton. Stephen was holding his shoulder carefully, as a fall during the day had caused an anterior dislocation of his shoulder, which had to be relocated by medical staff at Checkpoint 22, 31 miles into the stage. Ouch!

Regarding YOUR messages, Marshall said, “It’s great to hear from everyone. Crash and Splash e-mailed me, Juli Aistars, and Tom Triumph.”

I’m sure there have been many more messages since Tuesday as well. THANKS to all of you who have (and continue to) send messages to the Stray Dogs!

THANKS again for checking in!

Stage 4 – Everyone is Done, But No Results… Yet

All competitors finished 29-mile Stage 4: The River that Never Ends, by 11.25 p.m. local time in China on June 20th. However, no results have been posted on the race Web site, so I can’t tell you how Team Stray Dogs GoLite did in Stage 4. But, have patience… remember… they are in the “middle of nowhere” in western China! The amount of material that Racing the Planet is able to get on the Web site is really quite amazing.

According to reports on the race Web site, today's course was long, relatively flat, and quite varied. Although different from yesterday's course that included a mountain climb, competitors found it equally tough. Starting at 9:30 a.m., competitors traveled over a rocky river bed for the first stretch, then through a canyon, followed by a leafy section through a village with orchards on both sides. Competitors then went under a bridge, through a dry river in a canyon flanked by dry hills, and ended at the Shepard’s Canyon camp at the base of a side valley.

Many competitors enjoyed the varied course, and the river crossing was welcomed as it gave racers a chance to freshen up their feet. Generally with the better weather and more even terrain, competitors were able to enjoy the scenery a bit more, some taking photos and chatting with the locals. However, today’s heat caught some competitors off guard and getting sufficient hydration was critical, as well as salt and electrolytes. The Stray Dogs have lots of experience in heat, including experience at Badwater, the Marathon des Sables, and the Sahara Race. Marshall has completed Badwater (146 miles to the summit of Whitney) 13 times, won Badwater four times, and has crossed Death Valley 19 times (he will be attempting crossing number 20 this July!). These guys have thousands of miles of racing experience in their feet, and know how to take care of themselves.

Lucy Brooks did incredibly well again together with her running partner and fiancé Stephen Hilton. They both arrived first across the finish line at 2.03 p.m., or in 5 hours 33 minutes. This is the fourth day in a row that Lucy has been the top woman competitor and among the leading group. In fact, Lucy is the first woman to be leading a 4 Deserts event (jointly with Steve). Even more amazing? Three weeks ago she had a scan and was told that she had a stress fracture in her foot and wouldn’t be able to run for six weeks. She said that, “Today the fracture has just started to hurt.” The rest of the leaders included the usual suspects - Henrik Eiberg, Mark Tamminga, and William Laughlin (Ray must be proud!).

Coming in the middle of the pack was Jacqueline Eastridge, arriving at about 6 p.m. She had stopped during the course to help a fellow competitor who was feeling sick with stomach cramps due to too much salt intake. It’s wonderful to hear that competitors are helping each other out, which is typical at events like these, as they draw good people!

The camp at the end of Stage 4 was reported to look like “a beachside holiday resort with bare chests (men only), bare feet, sandy banks, and sun shades.” The ascent through the side valley where the camp is located will be the start of tomorrow's Stage 5: The Long March of 50 miles. Reportedly, “Tomorrow’s long stage is looming large in the minds of all the runners” but I have a feeling the Stray Dogs are looking forward to it! The longer, and more difficult, the better. And, at 50 miles, with a reported climb of 4,000 feet and a 4-5,000 foot descent, it should be plenty tough for everyone! But, while the Stray Dogs may not be as fast as they used to be (Marsh and Dr. Bob are 55, soon to be 56 just days apart in early July, with Mace being the “baby” at 53), they are consistent and have amazing endurance!

Lucy reported that, “The emails we have had from friends and family have been so touching. Once I read them at camp I felt like I couldn’t let them down. The volunteers have also made a real difference, having them cheer you on rather than throwing water at you really gives you something to look forward to.” So, remember to write to Team Stray Dogs GoLite from the race Web site http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/.

And, please send a donation for the women and kids – supporting the “real work of peace and justice” – if you haven’t already.

Religious Teachers Filippini
Mission Fund/Marshall Ulrich
455 Western Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960

THANKS again for checking in!

Stage 3 – Partial Results, Stray Dogs Still in Fourth Place

Team Stray Dogs GoLite remain consistently in fourth place: for the day they finished in 8:41 with a total time of 19:59. Way to go Stray Dogs!! Check out the Web site at http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/. The scrolling photos on the home page include the Stray Dogs, Mace, Marsh, and Dr. Bob decked out in their GoLite gear. It’s nice to see their faces, if only briefly in a photo!

Team No Limits was again first in the team competition at 7:07 with a total time of 15:18. WSPA finished in 7:53 and is second overall with a total time of 17:22. Team Saigon finished in 8:22 with a total time of 18:17. Our friends Alex and Frank, racing as individuals but thus far have finished together in each of the three stages, finished 8:08. Ten hours into the race 86 competitors had made it to the finish, but additional results are not currently available.

Breaking news from Racing the Planet was that William Laughlin (US) – who is being coached by our friend Ray Zahab, by the way – was the first to complete Stage 3 on June 19th in 5:51. All competitors made it over the mountain pass but, due to bad weather and remote location, their satellite connection has been unstable and they ask all of us tracking the race from home to bear with them.

According to reports from Camp Langerville at the end of Stage 3, the course was the toughest so far, with the ascent challenging even top racers. They started at 7.30 a.m. from the Tajik Village where they had spent the night and climbed more than 5,900 feet to go over a mountain pass at 12,464 feet (previous reports were 13,500 feet) high. The first section of the ascent up to Checkpoint 1 was runnable for some of the faster competitors, but the top section was difficult for all due to both steepness of the climb, frequent switchbacks, and the altitude. Almost all competitors were reduced to a slow trudge up to the checkpoint at the pass. I’m sure Mace was in his element, as Marsh often comments that Mace is one of the strongest uphill (actually, up mountain!) runners he knows.

At the top temperatures dropped to 37 to 39 degrees Fahrenheit with light snow and even mild hail falling. Hmmm.... doesn't exactly sound like a "blizzard" as they had reported. The views, apparently, were incredible. Will commented, “That was wonderful, it's so beautiful up there... so beautiful” with a dusting of snow and a huge bird of prey circling. I’m sure the Stray Dogs loved it too!

The descent down the other side was steep with some competitors bombing it down the 10 miles of mountain trail reaching Checkpoint 3 at the bottom. Marsh was in his element here, as – although Mace can beat him up hill – Marsh says that he usually catch Mace on the descent. Of course, I know that Marsh, Mace, and Dr. Bob were together the entire time. They make a great team. Everyone has their strengths, and their weaknesses, and you never know when it’s your turn to have a difficult day.

The final section coming to Checkpoint 4 and the campsite was a difficult course over a rocky riverbed, requiring 5 to 30 crossings, depending on how racers navigated their course. One racer was able to keep his feet dry despite 5 crossings, while others where shin deep in water. Hopefully Mace was nearby if the water was very deep, as swimming is not Marsh’s strength.

Arriving at camp in the rain, most racers asked where the desert weather was that they had expected. Organizers and medical staff had been preparing for the hottest Gobi March ever and the rain and cold took everyone by surprise. Of course… there are still a lot of miles and terrain to cover so… you never know! At about 5 p.m. the weather cleared, allowing racers to warm up, volunteers to dry off and remaining racers to have a better time of the course.

Competitors should actually be starting Stage 4 now: The River that Never Ends, an approximately 28-mile stage. Send your messages for good luck to Team Stray Dogs GoLite from the race Web site!!!

Stage 3 in Progress, More on Stage 2

Yeeeee….ahhhhhh! A blizzard at the top of the 13,500 foot pass!!

Marsh often comments that, the worse the conditions, the better for him and the Stray Dogs. Why? Are they crazy? Well, some people may think so. But, Team Stray Dogs GoLite are, I would venture to say, the most experience racers out there and have earned a reputation for persisting, no matter what. You would be surprised to learn the things that these guys have suffered through during adventure races:

• Days without food in British Columbia
• Altitude sickness in the Himalayas in Tibet
• Being lost for 12 hours in Patagonia
• A capsized boat in the South China Sea in Borneo
• Hypothermia on the top of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco
• Five days without getting to their gear boxes in Fiji

This may sound strange to some of you – yet make perfect sense to others – but Marsh says that “to appreciate the profoundness of life, we have to live it to its fullest, both the joy and the suffering.” Oh… and “humor is the antidote to misery.” With Mace there (and maybe Alex and Frank are nearby?) I would guess that there’s been a good bit of laughter… along with a bit swearing too. Because, don’t get me wrong… they are human!

Anyway, what I know about Stage 3 so far is that the competitors set off from Langer Village at 7.47 a.m. on June 19th. This Stairway to Heaven stage is reported to be the most technically difficult, taking them over the 13,500 foot pass. At 25 miles, race organizers thought that may take some of the field up to 15 hours to finish Stage 3. Then, at 6.57 p.m., reported from “circa Camp 4” the breaking news was that all the competitors had made it to the top of the pass, where there was a blizzard. Further, the support convoy is having difficulty reaching camp due to flooded roads. Remember… before the race started, organizers said that the race stages were “anticipated” to be as they set out, although the course may be modified daily depending on expected levels of the rivers or poor weather conditions.

I have gathered some more information about Stage 2 on June 18th from the race Web site, including the fact that it was actualy almost 24 miles long, which the Stray Dogs finished in 5:32.
The runners started that stage at 9:01 am under clear skies. The weather stayed clear throughout the day, cooling off into a light drizzle by late afternoon. The lead runners reached the first checkpoint, 6.2 miles away, just over an hour later, and proceeded to blow through the third and fourth checkpoints, finishing in 3:26. The last runner, John Beall, crossed the finish line at 7:39 pm, almost 11 hours after he started.

The course followed the Tiznap River gorge for 12 miles straight through the first checkpoint. Continuing downstream, runners enjoyed stunning vistas around nearly every bend, where they were dwarfed by sheer rock faces hundreds of meters high. Just before the second checkpoint, at the fork of the Tiznap and Zerapxen Rivers, an unexpected course turnoff under a bridge and along a rushing irrigation canal caught many competitors off guard. The hairy section behind them, runners turned upstream along the Zerapxen for a tough second half in the afternoon heat, following the bank 11 miles to the Tajik village of Langer, their home for the night.

The entire town came out in traditional dress to greet the competitors as they staggered up the last hill to the finish line. Tajik dancers in traditional costumes greeted the first to finish. The women wore elaborate headdresses and bright, ankle-length dresses. The party at the finish line continued all afternoon, with karaoke performances interspersed with the dancing. The local children added to the atmosphere, keeping watch over the road and drumming enthusiastically whenever they saw runners approaching.

The Tajiks are of Persian descent and look markedly different to the Uyghurs the racers met in Kashgar. Their eyes and faces give a fascinating glimpse into their mixed Mediterranean and Mongolian ancestry. The finish line festivities gave everyone a good chance to get to know them a little better.

While the racers expecting to sleep in the usual army-style tents, instead they were billeted with local families for a one-night home-stay. The families came to the tea-tent house to meet their racers, with names written on scraps of paper. It didn’t take long for all the racers to settle into their new accommodation. The traditional houses all have a large communal living room with a raised platform for sleeping, with light filtering in from a skylight highlighting gold embroidery in the blankets covering the sleeping platforms, and brightly patterned rugs drape the walls. The families kept the racers supplied with hot water, attention, and in some cases Jackie Chan films. Although the racers are self-supporting could not take full advantage of the villagers’ hospitality, the volunteer crew happily accepted tea, bread and fresh apricots all day. The tranquility and kindness of the people they met this remote area have had a huge impact on the racers and crew.

Good thing the runners had nice homes to rest in before facing the technical, and weather-related, demands of Stage 3!!

More later...

Here are a couple of pictures from the Racing the Planet Web site. Photos by Simon Narramore. What beautiful kids and young women!

Stage 2 – Preliminary Results

Results were just posted on the Gobi March race site http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/. To get a message to Marsh or any of the Stray Dogs while they’re in China, go this site. Under “Race Coverage” select the last item from the drop down list, “Email Competitor.” I know they’d LOVE to hear from you!!

Team Stray Dogs GoLite is definitely consistent… as are the other teams so far. Of course, there are a LOT of miles to cover yet, and I'm guessing that the long stage, Stage 5 on days 5 and 6 will be the most telling.

The Stray Dogs finished Stage 2 in fourth place for the day in 5:32, and are in fourth place overall with a total combined time of 11:17.

Once again, Team No-Limits finished first for the stage in 3:56 and are in first place overall at 8:12.

Team WSPA was again second, at 4:41 and a total of 9:27.

Team Saigon was again third, at 4:45 and a total of 9:54.

Behind the Stray Dogs, team Gobi Canada finished fifth at 6:13 and remain fifth overall with a total of 12:34.

Team China is close sixth with a total time of 12:48.

Other teams range from a total time of 14:00 to Gobi Canada II in last place at 18:14.

Stage 2, Datong Fork, was approximately 22 miles, winding further into a river valley, a steep-sided gorge with fissured mountains rising sharply on both sides in the Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous Region in China. More on Stage 2 when information is available.

Tomorrow, 25-mile Stage 3: Stairway to Heaven.

Thanks again for checking in! And, be sure to send the Stray Dogs a message from the race Web site.

More About Stage 1

By now (9 a.m. Monday, June 18th here in Colorado) the racers have actually already finished Stage 2 (remember, they’re 14 hours ahead in China). However, no results have been posted yet, so I’m not sure how Team Stray Dogs GoLite did in the second stage. I have received “Breaking News” e-mails that, as of 7:39 p.m. in China, the last competitor had arrived in Camp Langerville, which is not really a camp, as tonight the racers will not be staying in tents but will be staying in local Tajik village houses. Cool, huh? These races provide a very unique insight into the countryside, the cultures, and the people of the host countries. Makes me wish I could have volunteered again this year, as I did for the Sahara Race in Egypt in 2005. I would encourage everyone to think about doing a Racing the Planet event (or similar races), either as a competitor or volunteer. Truly, it is a unique and amazing experience!

I’ll provide more information on Stage 2 when it’s available but, for now, here’s some more information about Kashgar, the drive to the first camp, and Stage 1.

Before leaving Kashgar for the fist campsite, racers experienced a bit of the city, where the population is largely Muslim Uyghurs. The city is dotted with mosques; men wear colorful, square Muslim caps and sport pointy beards; and exotic spices fill the air where food is being cooked. Currently Kashgar is a Chinese city, but with a charming twist. The Uygur influence not only colors the sights and sounds, but the hospitable Muslim culture also gives the place a different feel to the rest of powerhouse China.

After a 9 hour drive west from Kashgar through the sheer mountains, complete with hail and pouring rain, the buses arrived at Koguxluk School where race organizers directed them into dormitory rooms at the boarding school. Due to the weather, the race staff made a safety decision to stay at alternative accommodation, rather than the tented camp a few hundred meters down the road. The staff and competitors moved desks, scooted chairs, and found a warm place to lay down their sleeping pads under the stern gaze of Marx and Chairman Mao posters on the walls. Doctor Grant reported that “It was a dark and stormy night…no really, it was dark and storming. Hard.”

After the “dark and stormy night,” racers moved to starting area in the Tashkurgan Tajik Autonomous Region in China, where the first two stages are being held. Geographically, the Tajik region borders with not just one, but several of the Central Asian 'stans', including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. The population of the county seat, Tashkurgan, is almost 30,000, more than 80 percent of which are ethnically Tajiks, from neighboring Tajikistan. In fact, the road leading to Tashkurgan comes within 6 miles of the Tajikistan border, and is almost 2,500 miles west of Beijing. The people here share the exquisite features of all the people in this area: near black hair, together with fair skin and hazel, green or even blue eyes.

Tashkurgan itself is a Wild West junction of grocery stores and other basic convenience services. It is a market town for sheep and wool products – such as carpets. The town has fallen under both Chinese and Persian influence during its 2,000-year history. In Uygur, 'Tashkurgan' means 'stone fortress' or 'stone tower', believed to be named after a centuries old fortress that once dominated the town. Outside the town, the mud home villages are more picturesque, strategically located in favorable spots along rivers for growing corn or wheat and keeping goats and surrounded by tall, slender poplar trees as a defense against the wind.

The average altitude of the county is over 13,000 feet, and the most breathtaking thing about the area is the mountains. The most beautiful is Mt Muztagh 24,751 feet - said to be one of the five most beautiful mountains in the world. The local name of the mountain is Muztagh Ata, or 'Ice Mountain’s Father.' It has a huge snowy dome, and is popular climbing peak for mountaineers. Hmmm… think Marsh will want to go back and do some climbing?

The morning of the 17th was cool and bright, and racers took in an almost 360 degree view of mountains. Before starting the Stage 1, they were treated to a colorful display of traditional Tajik dancing. At 10.30 a.m., Mary Gadams started the field and they took off over a bridge and into the river valley.

The course followed the road and shepherd trails downstream along the left bank of the river, crossing over to the other side and back twice on the course. These crossings were over bridges, however, so racers kept their feet dry. Some of the crossings were over traditional bridges built out of wood, and would only support a few racers at a time.

The course then followed the river and cut through a steep-sided gorge with fissured mountains rising sharply on both sides dwarfing the tiny villages at their feet that eek out a living from small wheat fields chiseled out of small stretches of flat land. The mountain scenery kept everyone craning their necks to take it all in. Grey and pink sheer rock slopes at some points were so high that racers could only just see the sky from the floor of the valley. The steely colors were interrupted by unexpected patches of lush, green, sunlit vegetation where families have built homes on south-facing river banks.

Reportedly many of locals in the villages that the race passed through had not seen foreigners before, thus curious villagers of all ages lined the route and sat with volunteers at checkpoints. By 1 p.m., 14 racers had passed Checkpoint 2, including Team Stray Dogs GoLite and Team China in the middle of the pack. The weather was kind during Stage 1, but the rough terrain started testing racers. The first blisters started to appear (although not for the Stray Dogs, I’m sure, as they have ENGO Blister Prevention Patches http://www.goengo.com/ and are wearing Injinji socks http://www.injinji.com). There were also some minor injuries, mainly grazes, from racers slipping on the rough terrain. With the help of their LEKI trekking poles http://www.leki.com/, the Stray Dogs should have been able to stay upright!

At the end of Stage 1, competitors arrived at Camp Yarkand River, where they huddled in their tents trying to stay dry as rain suddenly hit what was a clear and sunny day. With warm clothes and sleeping bags from GoLite http://www.golite.com/main/home.aspx and sleeping pads from Pacific Outdoor Equipment http://www.golite.com/main/home.aspx, I bet the Stray Dogs were plenty warm! Camp Yarkand River was located at Dara village no. 4 and the villagers there were every bit as curious about their visitors as the ones racers met on the course, crowding tent entrances and peeping through the windows of the tents.

Stage 2 headed further into this valley and brought more challenges to the field. More on Stage 2 when information is available.

Once again… if you can, please send a donation for the women and kids to:

Religious Teachers Filippini
Mission Fund/Marshall Ulrich
455 Western Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960

Thanks for checking in!

Stray Dogs – Stage 1, Fourth Place

Team Stray Dogs GoLite completed the first stage of the Gobi March in 5:45 (5 hours 45 minutes), putting them in fourth place in the team competition! The first place team, No Limits, finished in 3:42, only 4 minutes behind the individual stage winner, Henrik Eiber from Denmark (who we met at the Sahara Race in Egypt in October 2005, a nice guy… I wonder if his wife is volunteering again too? But, I digress).

The second place male finisher and the first place female finisher crossed the line in 3:42, right along with Team No-Limits. Other team finishes were: second place 4:46, third place 5:09 [the Stray Dogs, fourth place 5:45], fifth place 6:21, and sixth place 6:58. Other teams ranged from 7:17 to 8:39. Now, I know Marsh, Mace, and Dr. Bob didn’t set out to necessarily race for a top team spot, but you can’t stop that competitive drive in these guys!

Marshall, as many of you know, started ultrarunning in 1989 and now has completed over 100 races averaging over 100 miles each. He climbed the Seven Summits, the highest mountain on each continent, including Mount Everest – in less than three years, in large part because he was lucky enough to summit each mountain on his first attempt. For more information about Marshall, including the Triple Crown of Extreme Sports, go to his Web site at http://www.marshallulrich.com/.

Marsh, Mace, and Dr. Bob all started adventure racing in 1995 when they all competed in the first ever Eco Challenge in Utah. Marsh and Mace were on the same team, with Dr. Bob and Lisa Smith-Batchen – both of whom Marsh and Mace had not yet met – on another team. As fate would have it, both teams “blew up” and had two members drop out. In order to continue on the course, you had to have four people, so Marsh, Mace, Dr. Bob, and Lisa formed an ad hoc team and finished the course together. Because they were from all over the country, wandering occasionally aimlessly along course (read: lost, sometimes) they decided to call themselves Team Stray Dogs. Thus, the Stray Dogs were born!

Marsh and Mace have gone on to race in 8 of the 9 Eco Challenge together as Team Stray Dogs (Mace only missed a second Eco Challenge/ESPN Extreme Games later in 1995 in New England, where Marsh raced with a different team), as well as Primal Quest 2003 near Lake Tahoe. Dr. Bob joined the Stray Dogs for the Eco Challenge races in British Columbia in 1996 and Australia in 1997, the last time the three of them raced together. But, ever since meeting out in the Utah desert, the Stray Dogs have stayed great friends, teammates whenever possible, and each one has gone on to achieve amazing things.

In addition to 8 Eco Challenge races, Mace has completed the Hawaii Iron Man (and Marsh counts on Mace to keep him afloat in during any swimming portions of adventure races!), is a record-setting snowshoe racer, and has completed Badwater, Iditiasport, several Leadville Trail 100s, and numerous other ultras and extreme events. Mace completed the Marathon des Sable the same year Marsh did, and recently told me that he has "probably seen Marshall suffer more than anyone else has seen him suffer” and mentioned the dysentery problems Marsh had during that race. In return, Marsh often tells me that “Mace gets the worst feet I’ve ever seen” during adventure races, yet “he never complains, so you’d never know, until he takes his socks off and you see the blisters, and peeling skin that looks like raw hamburger.” Yep. It’s a glamorous sport.

In addition to three Eco Challenge races, Br. Bob had competed in the Iditasport, the Leadville Trail 100, Old Dominion 100, and Badwater. In October 2005 he climbed the Mexican Volcanoes with Marshall. The thing that Marsh always mentions about Dr. Bob is his ability to “suffer with grace.” For example, after Eco Challenge Austrlia Marsh reported, “In an effort to stabilize himself as fatigue set in, Dr. Bob had grabbed just about every plant in Australia that had hide-ripping barbs and thorns. He lost about 20-pounds, and his hands, arms, and legs were cut and swollen. I remember him sitting on the plane on the way home, just barely able to move, looking straight ahead in a comatose-like trance. But he never complained.” Just like Mace with his feet. No whining!

Even more than their athletic accomplishments, Mace and Dr. Bob have been mentors for Marsh in the way that they conduct themselves in their “real” lives. Mace is an attorney and Dr. Bob… well…yep, you guessed it… he’s a physician. Both have been married for almost 30 years (to wonderful women, Pam Macy and Dabny Haugh) and have raised wonderful kids. Their honesty and integrity, and the way that they set priorities in their lives, has been an inspiration. I am grateful that Marsh can count them both as friends, and am *thrilled* that they have the opportunity to race together again!

So… anyway, back to the race…

By 8 p.m. local race time, Racing the Planet, the race organizers, reported that all competitors were at the campsite Yarkand River, and that everyone made it within the allowed time limits. Tomorrow will bring Stage 2, Datong Fork, another approximately 22 mile stage. Wish the Stray Dogs well. I know they are in my thoughts and prayers!

Gobi Travel

Marshall was able to call last night from Kashgar, China as he waited in line to complete the race check-in process, including a review of all his gear. They have been traveling, traveling, traveling for days, and had more to come. Marsh, Mace, and Dr. Bob departed for Beijing very early in the morning on June 13, arriving their at 2:50 pm Beijing time (14 hours ahead of CO/mountain time) on June 14. After one night at the hotel, they flew to Kashgar on June 15, with a six hour layover at the airport in Urumqi. They arrived in Kashgar after midnight and had to get up early the morning of the June 16 for check-in, which is when Marsh was able to call. Following a briefing, they were off for a 7-9 hour bus ride to the first camp. I just received “Breaking News” from the race organization that they arrived at the first camp (Camp Silk Road at approximately 8,500 feet) at about midnight in China on June 16 or 10 a/m on the June 16 here in Colorado. Let’s see… that’s almost 80 hours, or more than three days, of traveling. Whew! Now, in just a few hours, they will be starting stage 1, which is approximately 22 miles.

To arrive at the first camp competitors traveled west from Kashgar along the famed Karakoram Highway, the highest paved highway in the world, reaching over 15,000 feet. This portion of the Karakorum highway links Islamabad, Pakistan with Kashgar over Khunjerab Pass. Reportedly they traveled “in the shadow of K2” the second highest mountain in the world at 28,244 feet/8611 meters. Maybe they caught a glimpse of her?

Marsh is #167, Mace is #111, and Dr. Bob is #65 – so watch for them in the photos that will posted on the race Web site http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/. You can even send them an e-mail! Under “Race Coverage” the last selection on the drop down list is “Email competitor.” If you have a minute, drop a line to Marsh, Mace, or Dr. Bob. I know they’d love to hear from you! Keep your eyes and ears open for Team Stray Dogs GoLite in the race reports too as they compete against 11 other teams from around the world.

Today I thought I’d tell you a bit more about the Gobi desert and the route of the over 150-mile race. The part of the Gobi desert that they’ll be crossing is in northwest China, in Tashkorgan County, near the borders of Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Team Stray Dogs GoLite will be traveling across the Pamir Plateau, a part of the ancient Silk Road, where the Kunlun, Kara Kunlun, Hindukush and Tian Shan mountains (all part of the “Himalayas”) come together. The two main rivers in the region are the Tashkorgan River and the Tiznap (or Tiznef) River. The population in this area of the Gobi desert is a mixture of Ugyurs, Han Chinese, Kyrgizs, Tajiks, and Uzbeks – a colorful ethic variety.

“Gobi” is the Mongolian word for "waterless place" and certainly lives up to its name with less than three inches of rainfall each year. The Gobi is the world's largest cold winter desert. They can expect a wide variety of terrain including: slot canyons, salt flats, rivers, mountain ridges, rocky terrain and sand dunes. Although the Gobi contains less sand than the Sahara, at time competitors can expect 1,000-foot high sand dunes. They will also go over almost 13,000-foot mountain passes, although reportedly none of the camps are over 8,500 feet. The weather in the Gobi can be extreme - very hot days that reach well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit and cold nights that drop below freezing. They may also experience violent sand storms and strong winds that are sometimes seen in June.

The race stages are anticipated to be as follows, although the course may be modified daily depending on expected levels of the rivers or poor weather conditions. The daily stage names and distances are as follows.

Stage 1: Tajikistan in China (22 miles)
Stage 2: Datong Fork (22 miles)
Stage 3: Stairway to Heaven (25 miles)
Stage 4: The River that Never Ends (28 miles)
Stage 5: The Long March (50 miles)
Stage 6: In the Shadow of Chairman Mao (13 miles)

According to one blog post, “The medical team is scrambling to acquire a lot more IVs as the course is much hotter than they were planning, and they are becoming worried about people being able to cool down at night. Because of the high heat, the snowmelt from the Kunlun mountains is much greater than expected and this has swollen the rivers. We are meant to be running through some slot canyons alongside the river, but as the river is now overflowing, we will be in the water for hours. So I am now thinking about how ice cold snow melt water, ankle deep, while the air temperature is above 100F will simply peel all of the skin off my feet. Following the removal of skin, we are then meant to climb up and over a 12,400 foot mountain pass! That will simply be a joy without the basic protection of skin. Are you beginning to understand the nervous anticipation we are feeling?” Oh… the ol’ dogs will be their element!

Each night Mash, Mace, and Dr. Bob will share a tent (the “Tatar” tent) with Frank Fumich, Alex Nement – two of Marshall’s favorite people - and five others (four from the U.S. and one from Australia). Frank and Alex have both climbed with Marshall: Frank on Aconcagua in January 2007 and Alex on the Mexican volcanoes in October 2006. Alex has also attended training camps organized by Marshall and Lisa Smith-Batchen. With Mace, Frank, and Alex all in the same tent, I know laughter will be a HUGE part of the race for everyone.

The tents are also enclosed from the elements and there will be a rug covering the floor. Cooking fires and/or stoves with boiling water will be provided in the morning and in the evening each day. A local family will live among the competitors and assist with the campfire.

Marshall told me that he MOST excited to be racing with dear friends Mace and Dr. Bob again, something they haven’t done in 10 years – since the 1997 Eco Challenge in Australia, I believe. To learn more about the history of the Stray Dogs, go to http://www.teamstraydogs.com/.

Tomorrow… a report about Stage 1 and more about the ol’ dogs themselves.

And remember.... if you can, send a donation for the women and kids to:

Religious Teachers Filippini
Mission Fund/Marshall Ulrich
455 Western Avenue
Morristown, NJ 0796 0

THANKS!

150 Miles Across the China Desert for the Women and Kids!

Marshall and the Stray Dogs are at it again!

On Sunday, June 17, 2007 Marshall, Mark Macy, and Dr. Bob Haugh - the original Stray Dogs - will start the Gobi March in Kashgar, China as Team Stray Dogs GoLite.

The Gobi March is a self-supported footrace across 150 of the Gobi Desert. The race consists of six stages, lasting 7 days, with distances ranging from 10 to 50 miles per stage. There will be checkpoints conveniently positioned along the course every 7 or 8 miles. Competitors are required to be fully self-supported throughout the event, meaning that they must carry all their own food, gear and clothing which they will need to complete the course. Water and a place in a tent will be provided daily.

So, why are the "old dogs" (huh... they are all over 50 now ;-} doing this? For fun, of course. Yep, they really enjoy this stuff! And, more importantly, to raise money for the Religious Teachers Filippini. Please support Stray Dogs GoLite in their efforts by sending a donation TODAY to:

Religious Teachers Filippini
Mission Fund/Marshall Ulrich
455 Western Avenue
Morristown, NJ 07960

As always, 100 percent of your donation will go to the women and kids, and your donation is tax deductible.

As most of you know Marshall, along with his friend Lisa Smith-Batchen (also an original Stray Dog, by the way!) have been raising money for the Sisters for several years. The Sisters work to promote the dignity of women and children in some of the poorest countries in the world, and here at home, by providing an education to those who previously had limited opportunities and choices in their lives. More than that, the Sisters also help provide the necessities of life: water, food, shelter, and clothing. To learn more, go to Marshall's Web site http://marshallulrich.com/ and to http://aidsorphansrising.org/.


With sponsorship from GoLite (http://www.golite.com/) – including all the best lite-weight equipment available for the entire team (THANKS GoLite!) – Marshall's total pack weight was less than 20 pounds! This included all of his food, cooking and eating utensils, warm clothing (the Gobi March will pass through land over 12,000 feet in elevation where it could be quite cold), camera, mandatory equipment, sleeping bag, pad (provided by Pacific Outdoor Equipment http://www.pacoutdoor.com/) and trekking poles (provided by LEKI http://www.leki.com/). That's right: less than 20 pounds for week in a desert! "Lite Speed is Possible!"

I (Heather, Marshall's wife) will post updates here during the race whenever I can. You can also follow along at http://www.4deserts.com/gobimarch/. For today… get that checkbook out and send a check. You, too, can help to change the world….one woman, one child, at a time.

More later... thanks for checking in!