The Gobi Challenge – Job Done! | |
05 July 2010 The message from Donnie Nicolson to Lucky2Bhere Chairman and founder member Ross Cowie on a satellite phone at around 4pm on Monday 5 July 2010 was short but clear. “Job done!” The message signaled the end to an incredible fund raising effort which has become known as the Gobi Challenge. Donnie Nicolson and Robert Holding set off from Portree on 17 June 2010 to test themselves in what can only be described as the ultimate challenge. The pair had been training hard for around 18 months to cycle 450 miles and run a further 140 miles in the Gobi desert in temperatures touching 45 degrees over the most difficult terrain imaginable. What followed next was a test of courage, determination, and selfishness and cheerfulness in the face of adversity – true commando spirit. The cycle began on Monday 21 June 2010 and finished on Sunday 27 June 2010. The terrain was well Donnie gives an insight, “If you imagine a forest track, thick with sand and being on a bike in a sauna with a hair-dryer in your face that's kind of what our days are like right now. At lunchtime, in the 45 degree heat, we took refuge in a nomad ger. Nomads always leave their doors open to strangers. This wasn't a prepared stop but we were given lunch; milk, tea, pasta, with goat and then yogurt and sugar for desert.” The landscape went from green to sand and the threat of sheep was replaced by camels. After a few days’ rest, the run started on Wednesday 30 June 2010 with 28km to break them in! Robert started to feel unwell after the first day of the run. He showed incredible courage to set out on day 2 despite spending the night vomiting and not being able to hold down any food. He continued until the fourth day of the run before being forced to pull out 2 days from the end when severe illness left him close to collapse. However he opitimised the spirit between the boys when he stayed on to urge his mate over the finishing line. With his body literally running on empty, Donnie completed the final 10K and the race ended climbing the highest sand dune in Asia. Ross Cowie summed it all up by saying, “The challenge that Donnie and Robert set themselves is way beyond what most of us can imagine. It is about pushing the human body to its limit. These daily runs, further than a normal marathon distance are undertaken in the most testing of conditions. The terrain, the heat and the physical and mental pressures they faced mean they deserve our utmost respect and support.” The target the boys set themselves was to raise £10,000 for charity Lucky2Bhere at the moment the race was complete, they were just £400 short of this target. Lucky2Bhere raises money provide defibrillators to communities to allow them to sustain life between an incident occurring and the emergency services arriving. They are currently working to install defibrillators in communities including Uig, Elgol, Carbost, Rona and Moidart. Ross Cowie said, “It would be a fitting tribute to the lads if we could top the £10,000 before they return to Portree on Saturday 10 July 2010 to a modest reception but the warmest of welcomes at the Skye Camanachd Clubhouse in Portree at 7pm – all welcome. If you feel inspired by the boys’ efforts and wish to contribute to this fantastic cause, please click on the following link Gobi |