Running in the Gobi Desert

A former Peninsula resident is currently participating in the Gobi Desert Marathon in China as one of only three Australians in the race.

Bronwyn Hull, wife of current Tascott resident Mr Michael Hull, said Mr Hull was one of only "a handful of Australians" to take part in the 250km race.

"The Gobi Desert is the world's largest cold winter desert made up of mostly mountains, slot canyons, rocks, grasslands, salt flats, rivers and sand dunes," Ms Hull said.

"This year, 190 competitors from 23 countries will race.

"The Gobi March is the most international outdoor event in the world."

Mr Hull is a veteran of seven long distance Iron Man triathlons at Forster, Busselton and Japan, two Simpson Desert Cycle Classic, five Six-Foot Track Marathons in the Blue Mountains, the Boston Marathon, Canberra Ultra Marathon and The Great Wall of China Marathon.

However, Mr Hull rates this as the hardest he's ever done.

"The race is run at altitude, and combined with scorching temperatures during the day (35 degrees plus) and freezing conditions at night (down to -5 degrees), it is rated as one of the toughest ever," said Ms Hull

She said that, in training for the event, Mr Hull clocked up enough kilometres to have run to Brisbane and back.

"He has been running on the beaches of the Peninsula, through the national parks and also the streets with a 12 kilo back pack on to help simulate the conditions of the Gobi March," Ms Hull said.

"Check points are located along the course every 10 to 12 kilometres with racers having to follow sand markers.

"Only one person has ever been lost for more than 24 hours."

Ms Hull said the race was as mentally challenging as it was physically.

"Sand storms and violent winds are one major problem with already the support and medical crew being forced to turn their plane around due to a severe sand storm," Ms Hull said.

Ms Hull said that although the Gobi Desert had less sand than the Sahara Desert, Michael was told to expect sand dunes as high as 1000ft and altitude of 14,000ft at some stages.

She said that Michael also had to be self-sufficient for all seven days, which involved carrying over 12kg in his back pack, with sleeping bag and sand protector sheet, food, water, torches, knives, first aid kit, clothes and toilet paper.

"They also have to carry all their rubbish with them, as there are huge fines for littering the desert," Ms Hull said.

"This year, however, the competitors have been asked to leave their water bottles at the end of the race for the locals.

"The bottles help to make carrying water easier for the locals.

"Something we take for granted is so precious to them."

Ms Hull said that each night the competitors bunked down in a 10-man tent, with a fire in the middle to cook on, and boiling water.

"They use the water for all their freeze dried food they have taken with them," Ms Hull said.

Ms Hull said Michael was also raising money for Juvenile Diabetes by participating in the race.

"The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation are doing a fantastic job world wide to find a cure for juvenile diabetes (Type 1)."

The marathon was held from June 17 to 23.

Both Michael and Bronwyn were "born and bred" in Woy Woy, with their parents still living in Woy Woy and Umina.

Their children attend Ettalong Public School. Tegan is school captain.

Their children play soccer for Woy Woy, along with dancing at Peninsula Youth Centre.

"We both still class ourselves as Peninsula people."

Lyle Stone, 21 Jun 2007