Video: More Than A Race - An Ultramarathon in Hong Kong

When people think about Hong Kong, the first image that generally comes to mind is a giant city with more than 7 million inhabitants. But, it turns out that city also happens to be surrounded by some amazing trails that often offer simultaneously views of that modern metropolis, and in impressive amount of wilderness located just outside. Each year, those trails play host to the Vibram Hong Kong 100, an ultra-distance trail running race. The video below is a short documentary about that race, and some of the things that make it so special. Get comfortable for this 34+ minute film, it is worth the watch.

More Than A Race from Lloyd Belcher Visuals on Vimeo.

Video: What Does The Next 50 Hold For Dean Karnazes?

Dean Karnazes is without a doubt the most well known ultra-runner on the planet. His exploits are well known, and he has been the face of the sport for a number of years. In the video below, which comes are way via The North Face, Dean shares his story of how and why he started running, what it's like to now be 51 years old, and what drives him to continue to run, something he loves dearly. It is a well made short film that isn't just about a specific person, but is about the fire that burns in all of us to pursue the things we're passionate about.

Video: The Running Connection From Mountain Hardwear

For an outdoor gear company, Mountain Hardwear sure is great at making videos. Case in point, this beautiful clip that features some of their sponsored athletes talking about why they love trail running in the mountains. Sure, the MH gear is prominently displayed, but for what is ultimately a commercial, the focus is squarely on getting outside and doing what you love. Oh, and the settings that these folks are running in are certainly easy on the eyes as well.

The Running Connection from Mountain Hardwear on Vimeo.

Video: Training For One Of The Hardest Races In The World - The Iditarod Trail Invitational

The Iditarod Trail Invitational is quite possibly the hardest race in the world. It features athletes who run, ski, and mountain bike along the same 1000-mile (1600 km) long trail that the famous sled dog race follows on its way from Anchorage to Nome. The IDI takes place in the dead of winter as well, which adds just another challenge to this tough ultra-endurance event. Many try to complete it each year, few succeed.

Just how do you train for such an event? Check out the video below, which comes our way via EpicTV, and marks the start of a new series entitled Sport & Survival.

New Trail Running World Record Set On South Africa's Table Mountain

For such a relatively small country, South Africa has more than its fair-share of exceptionally endurance athletes, adventurers, and explorers. Case in point, it was just a few weeks ago that I wrote about a new record setting run on the Drakensberg Grand Traverse that was set by ultra-runners Ryan Sandes and Ryno Griesel. Turns out they aren't the only South Africans to set new records these past few weeks, as trail runner Andre 'AJ' Calitz recently put in an impressive performance on Table Mountain, the iconic landmark that overlooks Cape Town.

On Saturday, April 5, Calitz ran up and down the 1085 meter (3558 ft) tall flat-topped mountain an unbelievable 14.5 times in 12 hours. That gave him a vertical gain over that period of 10,257 meters (33,651 ft). That's the equivalent of running up Everest, plus an additional 1409 meters (4622 ft), over the course of half a day.

The trail, which is a demanding climb up a tough trail, features more than 800 double-sized steps over a 700 meter (2296 ft) stretch, which added a unique element to the run. AJ indicated that the uneven steps caused more issues, rather than actually helping him. Still, he managed an ascent every 35 minutes. The climb typically takes hikers anywhere from 1-2 hours to complete.

The video below will give you an idea of what this trail is like, and how challenging it must have been to run up and down it, not just once, but 14+ times. That's a pretty impressive feat of endurance. Well done Andre!

Thanks to Lisa for sharing this as always!

Ultra-Runners Complete Drakensberg Grand Traverse, Set New Speed Record!

On Monday, I posted a story about Ryan Sandes and Ryno Griesel, two ultra-runners attempting to set a new speed record on South Africa's Drakensberg Grand Traverse, a remote and rugged trail that stretches for 220 km (136 miles), through the Drakensberg Mountains. The duo had set out on Sunday with the goal of smashing the previous record, and yesterday evening they reached the end of the route, easily besting the old mark in the process.

Starting front he Sentinel Car Park in the north and traveling to the Bushman’s Nek Border Post in the south, Sandes and Griesel crossed through some incredibly difficult terrain. The Drakensbergs are known for their sharp edged peaks, rocky trails, and substantial climbs and falls.. Over the course of the run, the two endurance athletes saw nearly as much total elevation gain as the equivalent of summiting Mt. Everest.

When they launched their efforts, Ryan and Ryno hoped to beat the previous record of 60 hours, 29 minutes, 30 seconds set back in 2010. After scouting the route ahead of their attempt, they felt that was an attainable goal, while also believing they could actually complete the route in under 40 hours. While they did manage to crush the old record, they weren't able to finish quite that quickly. Their official time was 41 hours, 49 minutes, which shaves more than 18 hours off the previous best pace.

The run was not without its share of challenges. In addition to the grueling terrain, which they even ran through at night, both men faced some physical challenges. Sandes twisted an ankle no more than two hours into the attempt, and was worried for a time that he might have to pull the plug on their expedition. Later that day, Griesel said that he became dehydrated, which made for a rough couple of hours that is partner helped him to get through. In the end, they were able to overcome those difficulties and complete the traverse in record time.

Congratulations to Ryan and Ryno on an impressive effort.

Gear Closet: Osprey Rev 6 Trail Running Pack

One of the best parts about my job is attending the Outdoor Retailer convention each year and checking out the latest and greatest products from my favorite gear companies months before they are available to purchase. As much fun as that sounds however, it can also be painful to have to wait for some really great product to actually go on sale. Such was the case with the Rev 6 pack from Osprey, which I first saw last August but had to wait weeks to get my hand on. The wait was worth it however, as it is hands down the best trail running pack that I've used.

The new Rev line comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from the diminutive 6 (as in 6 liter), all the way up to the 24. In between there is also a 12- and 18-liter version too. (Those who like to go ultralight will want to check out the Rev 1.5 and the Rev Solo water bottle holster as well.) All are lightweight, have a variety of great features, and are built to move with trail runners, no matter how demanding conditions get. Obviously you'll want the pack that most fits your needs in terms of capacity. If you're carrying a lot of gear, you'll want to go bigger, but for my needs, the Rev 6 was actually perfect.

The pack's main compartment, which shares double duty with the included 1.5 liter hydration bladder, is just large enough to stuff an extra jacket, and perhaps lunch for the trail. It is surprisingly roomy for such a small pack, but no one would ever use the word "cavernous" to describe it. A second, smaller, pocket is built into the top of the Rev 6, which provides room for a few small items, such as a headlamp and a wallet. A key clip is conveniently placed in that pocket as well, keeping all of your essentials in one place.

Additional storage can be found on the two straps, where stretch pockets allow access to an additional water bottle, a camera, or energy bars. The left strap even has a cleverly designed "DigiFlip" media pocket that is built for smartphones or touch enabled mp3 players. The pocket is securely fastened in place with its own clip, but it can be flipped open to grant access to the device inside. That device is encased in a plastic covering that keeps dirt and sweat away from the precious technology, but still allows the wearer to have full access to the screen. This is one of my favorite features of the Rev line, as I always run with an audio player of some type, but I have a tendency to sweat all over it. Additionally, wearing it on an armband isn't alway the easiest way to access music or apps while on the go. This solves both of those problems very nicely.

In terms of fit, the Rev 6 is fantastic. It uses lightweight materials and the belts and straps aren't particularly large, but they still do a great job of holding the pack in place when you run. Sizing is as simple as pulling the pack on, and adjusting a couple of bands to make it all fit. It took me just seconds to dial in exactly where I want the pack to ride, and it stayed in place throughout my runs.

Other nice touches include a bungee on the front of the pack to provide extra external storage, and a  soft, breathable back panel to aid in keeping runners cool. The Rev is small and light, so it doesn't have a frame that can provide true airflow across the back, but this specially designed panel does a good job none the less.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Osprey's excellent hydration bladder. It has a large mouth that makes it easy to fill, and includes built in markings to let you know just how much water is in the reservoir at all times. It's low-profile design keeps it from becoming too cumbersome, even when filled with liquid, and it's tough materials are very resistant to wear and tear. The bite valve even includes a magnetic backing to help keep it securely in place while running, and a quick release allows the entire hose to come off, which makes for easier filling and better access for cleaning.

All in all, it is difficult not to be impressed with the Rev 6. As I mentioned above, it is the best trail running pack that I've used, and it is clear that Osprey put a lot of thought into the design before releasing this product. It is compact, lightweight, and packed with features that trail runners will love. For me, the 6 is the perfect size for most runs, as its allows you to carry everything you need, and nothing you don't. I know there will be some runners who will want to take some extra gear with them when they hit the trail, and Osprey has options for those folks. But for me, the little Rev 6 is just about perfect for my needs.  Considering all that it delivers, its price tag of $100, also comes across as a real bargain.

If you're a trail runner, you owe it to yourself to check out this pack. I think you'll be very happy that you did.

Check out the video below to see what ultrarunner Ben Clark carries in his Rev 6.

Ultra-Runners Go For Speed Record On South Africa's Drakensberg Grand Traverse

The Drakensberg Grand Traverse is a challenging hike through a tough stretch of the Drakensberg Mountains in South Africa. The trail covers approximately 220 km (136 miles) and takes most hikers anywhere from 6 to 10 days to complete. But at the moment, two ultra-runners are attempting to set a new speed record on that trail, as they hope to cover it end-to-end in less than three days.

Ryan Sandes and Ryno Griesel set out on their speed attempt yesterday. Departing from the Sentinel car park in the north, and running south toward the Bushman's Nek Border, they  hope to beat the previous record of 60 hours, 29 minutes, 30 seconds that was set back in 2010 by Griesel and teammate Cobus van Zyl. After weeks of scouting the route and preparing for the run, Ryan and Ryno feel that that time seems not just within reach, but fairly very beatable, as the two extreme athletes have told others that they are actually aiming at a time closer to 40 hours.

The route, which is mostly unmarked, covers some very difficult terrain. The trail is wanders up and down the dramatically shaped Drakensbergs, offering rocky ravines, edging peaks and plenty of climbing and descending. In fact, the two men will climb approximately the same height as Mt. Everest over the course of their two days on the trail. They'll also have to cross alpine grasslands and wet marshlands along the way.


If the terrain wasn't enough of a challenge, the weather could prove difficult too. There has been a lot of rain in the region lately, and while snowfall is limited in March, a freak blizzard would not be unheard of. Heavy mists and fog could slow them down as well. Considering they'll be spending much of their time above 2800 meters (9186 ft), the thin air could prove difficult to run in as well.

Ryan and Ryno are running the Grand Traverse completely self supported, meaning they are carrying all of their gear and supplies with them as they go. As of this writing, they are well ahead of the record pace from 2010, although there is still a very long way to go before they are through. You can follow their progress on the DGT's officials website, which has lot more information about the run and the two men attempting it.

Good luck to Ryan and Ryno and big thanks to my friend Lisa for sharing this story with me!

Ultra-Runners Complete Winter Crossing Of Baffin Island

A few weeks back I told you about an attempt by a team of ultra-runners to cross Baffin Island on foot in the middle of winter. At the time, the team was still in the preparation stages for the expedition, but they were planning on leaving for Baffin in the first week of March, and launching their crossing a few days later.

Yesterday, we received word that the team, which consists of endurance athletes Ray Zahab, Ryan Grant, Stefano Gregoretti and Ferg Hawke,  had successfully completed the crossing of Baffin Island. They traveled through the Akshayuk Pass, and managed to complete the route in just 48 hours, covering a distance of approximately 100 km (62 miles) in the process.

The team has limited communications at the moment, so the details on the crossing are a bit light. They did travel light and fast however, carrying just 50 pounds of gear apiece, as they made their way through the remote and rugged wilderness on Baffin. The expeditions as completely unsupported, and from what I can tell, there was a great effort made to create a simple, grassroots approach to the entire project.

I'm sure we'll more about this effort in the days ahead. But for now, congratulations to Ray, Ryan, Stefano and Ferg on a job well done. Great effort all around!

Ultrarunners To Attempt Winter Baffin Island Crossing

The 2014 Arctic expedition season is about a week away from starting, and teams of explorers are now busily putting the final touches on their preparation work. Some of them will be attempting to reach the North Pole, while others will be exploring the Arctic in order to conduct research into climate change. But one expedition will travel to Baffin Island, where a group of endurance athletes will attempt a speed crossing through the harsh and demanding environments there.

The team includes ultrarunner Ray Zahab, whose long distance running exploits we've followed on more than one occasion on this blog. Those expeditions have included runs across the Atacama and Gobi Deserts, as well as a journey to the South Pole and a crossing of Lake Baikal in the middle of winter, amongst others.

Ray will be joined on his adventure by Ryan Grant, Stefano Gregoretti and Ferg Hawke. The four men intend to make the journey completely unsupported, choosing to pull all of their gear and supplies behind them on sleds weighing no more than 50 pounds. They will begin the expedition in Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut, where they'll first film interviews with friends before hitting the trail. Once underway, they hope to cross through Akshayuk Pass in under 48 hours, before continuing on to Pangnirtung.They'll cover approximately 100 km (62 miles) in the pass, and another 40 km (24 miles) beyond that out on the open ice.

For Ray, this will be the fourth time that he has made this crossing, but his previous three Baffin traverses were done in the summer or fall. The winter will present new challenges with extreme cold and unpredictable weather.

The team will set out from Ottawa on March 6 and plan on launching their run a few days later. Watch for updates on Ray's Facebook page.

Video: Man vs. Bike

This video comes our way courtesy of Berghaus. Its a bit older, but still a fun one. It pits ultrarunner Philippe Gatta against mountain biker Rob Jarman in a no holds barred fight to see who is the best. It's actually pretty amusing to see these two go head to head. Especially since they aren't afraid to play a little dirty.

Kilian Jornet Named National Geographic 2014 People's Choice Adventurer Of The Year!

Ultrarunner Kilian Jornet has been named the 2014 National Geographic People's Choice Adventurer of the Year. Jornet, who edged out 12 other Adventurer of the Year candidates, won this honor following a voting period that saw more than 75,000 people cast online ballots.

If you're a regular reader of my blog, you've read my regular reports on Kilian's exploits. For my money, he is amongst the top endurance athletes in the world today. His ability to scramble up and down a mountain at unbelievable speeds is remarkable, something he demonstrated on two of Europe's most iconic peaks last year. It took him just five hours to conquer Mont Blanc, and he set a record on the Matterhorn, going up and down that mountain in 2 hours and 52 minutes.

In announcing the winner of this year's People's Choice award, National Geographic Adventure's online editor Mary Anne Potts is quoted as saying: “We believe that Kilian exemplifies the spirit of adventure in the truest sense of the word. He has demonstrated over and over that limits are meant to be pushed, and his growing list of remarkable accomplishments is truly inspiring.” She went on to add “We received a record number of online votes from our fans across the adventure community, and we’re thrilled to call Kilian the National Geographic 2014 People’s Choice Adventurer of the Year.”

I am happy to say that Kilian would have been my choice for Adventurer of the Year as well. His incredible feats in the mountain have been simply amazing. Other than Ueli Steck's solo summit of Annapurna, I'm hard pressed to think of anyone who has come close to what the Spaniard has accomplished. I'm happy to see him earn this much deserved recognition.

Congratulations to Kilian on this honor.

Video: The Desert Challenge Ultra-Marathon Race

In 2014 an amazing new competition is set to take place with ultra-marathons being held in Jordan and  Oman, which will set the stage for a bigger, longer race to follow. Known as the Desert Challenge, this epic set of races is set to become one of the top endurance events on the ultra-running calendar.  The video below gives us a glimpse of what to expect out of this competition. As you might imagine, it won't be for the feint of heart.

The Desert Challenge from TransArabia on Vimeo.

impossible2Possible Team Running Across Peru

While I was away from my computer for parts of last week, the team at impossible2Possible launched a new youth expedition, this time sending a group of students on a run through Peru. The aptly named Expedition Peru got underway last Wednesday and should wrap up today after the five students involved have run from the heights of the Andes all the way to the Amazon Rainforest, one of the most ecologically diverse places on the planet.

As is typical with any i2P project, this one has multiple objectives, not the least of which is promoting the importance of large ecosystems like the Amazon for the health of our planet. The team has been educating others about the diversity of life that exists in the rainforest and the treats that those species face from the encroachment of man. The expedition has also promoted strategies for protecting these ecosystems in the future to ensure that the Amazon isn't damaged irreparably.

Education is always a key element for an i2P project as well and this one is no different. Throughout the expedition the team has interacted with numerous classrooms back home, sharing valuable insights about their experiences with students. Adventure has always played a key role in engaging those students with the message that the impossible2Possible team is promoting, with the hope of inspiring them to pursue their own adventures while gaining more knowledge on a specific topic.

For nearly a week, the five i2P youth ambassadors have run a marathon per day as they traveled across some of Peru's amazing landscapes. The journey started in the mountain town of Cusco, famous for its ancient ruins and sweeping views of the Andes mountains. Over the course of the run the team made their way to Manu National Park, a remote and diverse ecosystem that has been preserved to protect the wide variety of species that live there.

For an idea of what the expedition has been like for the runners, check out the video below.

Expedition Peru Day 4 & 5 from GOi2P on Vimeo.

Couple Completes 6500 Mile Run Across South America

A couple of months back I wrote a story about David and Katharine Lowrie, a husband and wife team who were running the length of South America, south to north. The couple set out in July of last year with the intention of running 5000 miles (8046 km) along their planned route. Yesterday they announced that they had completed the run, reaching the Caribbean Sea in Carupano, Venezuela. The actual distance they ran? An astounding 6504 miles (10,467 km)!

The run, which David and Katharine had dubbed the 5000 Mile Project, began in Punta Arenas, Chile, the southernmost town on the continent. From there, they began traveling north, passing out of Chile and moving into Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and finally Venezuela. Along the way, they passed over the Andes Mountains and through the Amazon Rainforest, two natural obstacles that are daunting under any circumstances.

As if running 6500 miles across a continent isn't an impressive accomplishment on its own, the couple also managed to launch their Big Toe Classroom along the way as well. This portion of their website is filled with lesson plans and other educational tools for teachers. These free resources are designed for 7-11 year olds and were created to help them learn more about South America and the plants and animals that live there.

All told, it took David and Katherine 14 months, 23 days, 19 hours and 24 minutes to run from the southern tip of the continent to the northern coastline in Venezuela. That's a lot of time on the road and I'm sure they are relived to be done.

Congratulations to the Lowrie's on the completion of an impressive expedition. Well done!

Great Himalaya Trail Run Update: Weather Forces Change Of Plans

When we last checked in on Philippe Gatta, the ultrarunner attempting to run the length of the Great Himalaya Trail, a distance of 1700 km (1056 miles), in just 40 days, he was waiting out the weather. Philippe had gotten caught in the mountains just as Cyclone Phailin was hitting the mainland. That storm ended up dumping an unbelievable amount of snow across the region, burying portions of the trail in waist deep powder. It has gotten so bad in fact, that the Frenchman said that the snow was actually reaching the second story of some of the taller buildings in villages that he was passing through. When he returned to the GHT late last week, he found some of the higher passes blocked and impassable. Those conditions have caused him to reassess the expedition and come at it from a different direction – quite literally.

On Saturday, Philippe posted a note on his Facebook page that said that all the passes above 5000 meters (16,404 ft) are closed and would not reopen for sometime. Possibly not until spring. So, he decided to abandon his run where he was at and return to Kathmandu temporarily and then head back out to the trail, launching the next portion of his run from Lukla in the Khumbu Valley. That's the starting point for climbers and trekkers heading to Everest of course. His plan was to run from Lukla to Namche Bazaar and from there head to Island Peak, a 6165 meter (20,226 ft) mountain in the Khumbu region with the intention of climbing to the top. Island Peak is a trekking peak without any technical climbing involved, but considering how much snow it is currently buried under, it will still be a real challenge at the moment.

Another update came yesterday that indicated that Gatta had arrived in Namche after running just 3 hours and 15 minutes to get there. Anyone who has made that trek will tell you that is an impressive time considering it usually takes the better part of two days to walk there. That includes hiking up the famous Namche Hill, which includes some substantial gains in altitude. He'll likely spend a day there resting before beginning the hike to Island Peak.

So, while the objective the run has changes, Philippe is still pushing ahead with his adventure none the less. It appears an attempt to run the entire GHT is done for now, but he'll continue to apply his unique skills to explore the Khumbu Valley. It should be interesting to see how the trek to the mountain goes and if he finds success on Island Peak.

Good luck Philippe!

Great Himalayan Trail Run Update: Waiting Out The Storm

Last week I posted an update on Philippe Gatta's attempt to run the Great Himalayan Trail end-to-end. At the time he was hoping to make it to the safety and relative comfort of a nearby village just as Cyclone Phailin was starting to make landfall. As expected, that storm has brought nasty conditions to India, with portions of the weather spilling over to the Himalaya as well. As a result, Philippe is now stranded in place while he waits for conditions to improve, although he has vowed to press on when he can.

The latest update to the expedition's Facebook page gives an indication of where things are at. It reads:

"Update from Philippe 15th Oct: Still raining. All white around. Ganja La not option bcs cant reach Last Resort after. Must wait for sun & snow to melt to cross Tilman. I will be late but I wont stop GHT. Antibiotica stopped diarrea + eating/sleeping well = feel good!"

 Previous updates had indicated that Gatta was dealing with stomach issues and was struggling with vomiting and diarrhea, which had to be just awful while out on a trail in harsh conditions, hundreds of miles away from anything that would bring true comfort.

It could take another day or two before Phailin finally runs out of steam, but it seems like Philippe will be more than ready to get back on the trail at that point. It is clear that he won't cover the 1700 km (1056 miles) in the 40 days that he predicted as he is now 21 days in and just at the halfway point. Delays and poor trail conditions will likely keep him from that goal but it seems that he'll still be close.

I'll keep an eye on his progress and continue to post updates as he goes. but if you want to follow along yourself be sure to read the daily updates posted to the Ultimate Trail Diary at the Berghaus Blog.

Update On The Great Himalaya Trail Run: Storm Threatens Expedition

A few weeks back I wrote a story about Philippe Gatta, who was preparing to set out to run the length of the Great Himalaya Trail. The ultrarunner is hoping to complete the entire length of the 1700 km (1056 mile) trail in just 40 days, becoming the first person to ever achieve that feat and setting the speed record in the process. As the first few weeks have passed, this has not been an easy run for the frenchman as he has battled changing weather, brutal trails and plenty of altitude. Unfortunately it doesn't appear that things will improve any time soon, as the entire region is about to be hit by a nasty cyclone. 

Philippe and his support team have been posting regular updates to the expedition's Facebook page, keeping followers abreast of his progress. As of now, he is about a third of the way through his journey, which has taken a bit longer than he had expected. An update from yesterday sums things up nicely. It reads:

"We are in Lapagaon after a 14h30 epic day. Trails are miserable; bad, hard to find, can't run, leeches, mud, rock, and got lost 2 times. No pleasure, just hard work."

Judging from that, it sounds like conditions are absolutely miserable, at least at the moment. This is in no small part due to the fact that much of the GHT is still being developed and parts of it are very remote. This isn't like the Khumbu Valley which leads to Everest, which would be a veritable highway compared to some of the places that Philippe is currently visiting.

As with all things in life, the situation can always get worse. Looming out in the Indian Ocean, Cyclone Phailin is already massive in size, growing in strength and speeding towards the land. It appears that the storm is going to hit India in the next day or two and will then spill over into the Himalaya. Philippe's team is already calling this a "show-stopper" and they are monitoring the storm very closely. If it looks like it'll have an impact on the runner's safety then they will most likely abandon the expedition altogether or at least hole-up in a village and wait for things to blow over.

The storm is likely to have an impact on mountaineering expeditions in the Himalaya as well. We'll have to wait to see just how powerful it is when it makes landfall, but it is definitely not looking good at the moment. Keep your fingers crossed that everyone stays safe.

Read more about Philippe's run in the Ultimate Trail Diary hosted on the Berghaus blog. Lots of good updates posted there.

Dean Karnazes Plans To Run The World

Last night I had the distinct pleasure of attending one of the North Face Speaker Series events here in Austin, TX. The guest of honor was ultrarunner Dean Karnazes, who was fun, interesting and engaging to listen to. Over the course of about an hour and a half, Dean shared stories from his many endurance runs that have taken him to the far corners of the globe. He also talked about his training regimen and how he feels like he really isn't all that special of an athlete, he just happens to have a lot of personal drive to push himself beyond normal human limits. Considering he has finished the Badwater Ultramarathon ten years in a row, run a marathon on every continent and once ran a marathon in all 50 states in just 50 days, I'd say there is more than something special about the man. And while I found his lecture to be informative and entertaining, it was his plans for what he wants to do next that stuck with me after I left the theater.

At the end of the lecture Dean referenced his next big running project during which he hopes to run all over the world. He announced his intentions to run a marathon in all 198 countries on the planet in a single year. He hopes to launch this ambitious attempt in 2015 as he makes a global tour to push his endurance exploits even further.

Details on the plans were fairly light and I get the impression that there are still a lot of logistics to be worked out, but it was pretty clear that he wants this to be his next major project. He said that not all of the countries have organized marathons that take place there each year, so he's working with partners such as Google to plot out his own marathon in those countries that don't have official events. Of course, for us mere mortals, running 198 marathons in a single year sound crazy, but for a guy who does that ever morning before breakfast, it is just another day that ends with the letter "y."

Dean's website doesn't have any information about his plans to run through all of those countries just yet, but I'd guess you'll start to hear more about it next year as he ramps up for those runs. Obviously an endeavor of this magnitude takes a lot of planning and I'm sure he isn't quite ready to officially layout all of his plans just yet. I guess we'll have to wait to learn more details once it all becomes official but I found it to be a fascinating project even at this early conceptional stage. Of course, once it becomes official, I'll share more when Dean does.

Ultrarunner Prepares to Run the Length of the Great Himalayan Trail

There are long distance hiking trails and then there is the Great Himalaya Trail. The GHT is a beast of a route stretches for more than 1700 km (1056 miles) through the High Himalaya in Nepal, challenging hikers with its thin air, high altitudes and challenging paths. Walking it end to end takes weeks to complete but rewards trekkers with some of the most spectacular views on the planet. Starting today, ultrarunner Philippe Gatta will attempt to run the length of the GHT with the intent of finishing it in record time.

Philippe is currently in the village of Simikot in Nepal where he has spent some time acclimatizing to the altitude while scouting the route ahead. Today he will launch his bid to become the first person to run the entire length of the Great Himalaya Trail, a feat that he hopes to complete in just 40 days. As an ultrarunner, Gatta has trained for these kinds of extreme challenges but the numbers on the GHT are simply staggering.

While the 1700 km length of the trail is impressive, it is hardly amongst the longest routes in the world. But no other trail can match the GHT in terms of vertical gain. Over the course of the run, Philippe will face 88 km (55 miles) of vertical. That is an incredible number to consider. Along the way he'll face a temperature variation that ranges from -25ºC (-13ºF) up to 35ºC (95ºF) as he passes through jungle, desert, forests and glaciers. He'll also run at altitudes of just 880 meters (2887 ft) to well above 7000 meters (22,965 ft).

Philippe will be joined on this journey by his wife Anna who will run at least some of the sections with him. Along the way they'll be testing out some new gear for Berghaus, including new lightweight equipment designed to move fast in the mountains. You can follow their progress on the expedition's Facebook page, where you'll find regular updates over the next six weeks. I'll post updates on their progress over that time as well. In the meantime, check out the video below that shows the couple training for this epic challenge.