Perth-based Kiwi in world’s toughest horse race

                                         Media release – August 20, 2009

Perth-based Kiwi sets off in world’s toughest horse race across Mongolia this weekend

 
A Perth man who has lost 14kg and is braced for wolf attacks this weekend begins his quest to race 25 different semi wild horses across Mongolia in the world's longest and toughest charity horse race, over 1000km.

Dave Murray, formerly of Tekapo, New Zealand, will be one of 25 riders from nine countries to race across the Mongolian plains from August 22, each of them changing horses every 40km in the inaugural Mongolian Derby. The challenge is officially recognised as the world's longest, toughest horse race by the Guinness Book of Records.

Murray will sleep each night in a tiny one man tent and lightweight sleeping bag, be it in the middle of the wild steppes or with nomadic Mongolian families. He had to lose 14kg to get under the 85kg riding weight.

``I will have enough supplies in my 10kg of restricted equipment to get me by for 15 days without having to rely of anything. The Mongolians are very hospitable people and it’s great to do this to help Mongolian children into houses in winter,’’ Murray said from Ulan Bator today.

``I hate to admit it but I was advised by some endurance riders to have my legs waxed. Let me tell you my respect for women has sky rocketed! It does appear to have helped with chaffing as this will be our worsted enemy during the event.
His biggest concerns are wolf attacks which Mongolia is renowned for and he will be carrying flares to keep them at bay. Murray, 29, is hoping to raise AU$100,000 to go to the Christina Nobles Children’s Foundation which provide homes to families who have become homeless. Many children live in underground sewers and huddle beside hot water pipes to stay warm in the bitter winter months, where the temperature plummets.

The race has been framed around the communications system used by Genghis Khan, a kind of pony express using a relay system which was able to get a message from Mongolia to Eastern Europe in just 14 days. The modern-day riders will use 800 horses, each of them finding their own route across Mongolia.

Murray made a plea for the support of the Anzacs to help reach his charity’s goal. To support his quest to help the children of Mongolia see: www.ridemongolia09.com

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