Chris Runs Across The Gobi Desert in Support of Bluebell Wood

16th May 2018

Chris Heaton of OSL Group and a multi-day endurance runner will soon undertake a new challenge to raise funds for local charity Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice.

  On 11th July Chris will fly out to Ulaanbaatar, travel for 4 days to Khovd Bulgan on the Western border of the Gobi Desert. And on 16th July Chris starts running! And he won't stop until he reaches Saynshand in the East and the main road from Beijing to Ulaanbaatar. That's approximately 1800 kms / 1150 miles. Solo. Across the Gobi Desert. -I aim to cross in about 30 days. There have been a few walking crossings about 4 I think. This will probably be the first wholly solo run.  Temperatures will reach over 40° C. But will plummet to zero or even below at night. This is all being made possible by Chris's great friend David Scott of Sandbaggers the organisation, the route, the support crew (Timoro and Davka), logistics and Chris's safety. Here's what David says: "Freezing nights, blisteringly hot days and ferocious winds will be Chris' constant companions as he battles across the length of the Gobi desert this summer.  He'll take on 1800km of mountains, sand dunes and seemingly endless stretches of sun-baked desert plain in his quest to run the length of one of the World's remotest areas.   That might sound easy but it won't all be fun he'll also have to contend with sleep deprivation, rough sleeping, wolves, snakes, scorpions, flash floods, electrical storms and all manner of unexpected trials and tribulations.  "This is GENUINE adventure with all that entails risk, uncertain outcomes and a noble objective.  There is nothing fake about Chris, or the Gobi .  He is genuinely taking on a very very extreme challenge in an unforgiving environment.  He's also a modest, humble guy, who is funding the entire thing himself so if you are of a mind to do so you should follow his progress and consider supporting his charity partner, Bluebell Wood Hospice." Chris would like to give huge thanks to OSL Group and founder and Chairman David Grey who are his most avid and generous supporters and continue to be so even though he is soon retiring! Chris is supporting the Sheffield 2018 Master Cutler's Charity Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice. Bringing joy, fulfilment and care to children (and their families) with life shortening conditions and in their final days. Full details about Chris's challenge, including a blog detailing his progress, can be found at https://www.runthegobi.co.uk/ Any donations to help support are gratefully received. You can donate online here