The Gobi Challenge 2010
In July 2010 Donnie Nicolson and Robert Holding took part in the Gobi Challenge. This was a ultra race which takes place in Southern Mongolia and traverses the hot sands of the Gobi Desert. The race is 140miles long, and takes six days to complete. And finishes by climbing the highest sand dunes in Asia. All racers have to be self sufficient, so everything they needed for the week has to be carried, apart from water which was given to them at each checkpoint. For 2010 a one of challenge was added to the race. There was the option to cycle from the capital of Mongolia, Dalandzadgad, to the start of the race, in the heart of the Gobi. This was a distance of 450 miles. Robert and Donnie were only joined by another two people to take up this little extra option! There would also be another 3 who would only be doing the cycle only. For the run there would be a total of 21 competitors at the start line from all parts of the world.
The boys would be the first to admit that when they agreed to cycle to the start line they didn’t quite think through the reality of cycling across a desert. After the first day it became apparent how hard the next few days were going to be. On a message to home Donnie described the day’s conditions as ‘imagine you are on bike, the track has a layer of sand slowing you down. There is the heat of a sauna, and there is a hair dryer blowing in your face. That is what our day is like.’ During the six days it took them to cover the 450 miles they experienced not only the harsh landscape of the Gobi but also the hospitality of the nomad people. On one occasion the 9 cyclists and support crew took refuge in a Ger (tent/house) to escape the midday sun and be treated to some Mongolian cuisine. As they headed south not only was the heat a problem but the fact there was a constant head wind making each mile feel that little bit longer. On reaching Dalandzadgad there was a cheer from everybody when the group left the energy sapping trail to finally get on some tarmac.
From there the boys had two days rest before the other athletes arrived. On the start line there was a total of 21, include two from Mongolia, an American, a couple from Zimbabwe, one from Ireland, another from Switzerland. Ahead was 140 miles to be covered in 6 days. After the first day they boys were happy with coming in 3rd, but it was very evident what toll the cycle had taken on the legs. On the morning of day two, Robert had become ill. He was sick and had diarrhoea, and even making it to the start line was a massive effort. The day was completed with the guys finishing at the pack of the field. Onto the third day and Robert was feeling better. They spent the day running into a fierce head wind. And trying to catch the lone Mongolian Runner out in front. They guys stormed to a second place finish. Day four and Robert was back in a bad way, and within 5miles of what was a 30mile stage he had to pull out. He was not able to eat or drink, so it was only a matter of time before the Gobi called time. Donnie carried on but was devastated to not to have Robert with him. Day five and two days left for the Donnie. The end was in sight, there was only the highest sand dune in Asia to traverse and he would be done. On that fifth day, on his own, the legs heavy and the energy levels at rock bottom, it will go down as the hardest day of the challenge. Onto the final day, and the end was in sight. A 18mile run then a horrendous 3hour climb in the dunes, and then a mile run to the finish. Gobi challenge..Job Done!
Donnie may be the only one to cross the finish line, but tremendous credit has to go to Robert for the effort put in while feeling as bad as he did. Getting himself to the start line took a tremendous amount of determination. Back home the boys received a great amount of support, and this was reflected in the many donations that were made. For Lucky2bhere they raised over £15,000.
