Marathon Runner Adopts Stray Dog Who Set Pace For Him In The Gobi Desert
Image: www.4Deserts.com / Onni Cai
She is so tiny that her head didn’t even reach his knee – but the stray dog still kept the pace for Dion Leonard in the desert heat. The ultramarathoner came to rely on the little dog as he ran through the Gobi in China in the last section of the 155-mile Gobi Desert March race. She appeared out of nowhere, miles from any village, and ran just in front of him – helping him to second place.
h/t: metro
Image: www.4Deserts.com / Onni Cai
Temperatures could reach up to 52C, but that didn’t put the dog off and she showed ‘unique strength and stamina for a little dog’, Dion said.
Image: www.4Deserts.com / Onni Cai
Although she had to rest for some of the race in the gruelling conditions, she ran four stages including the vital final 10km to the finish line.
Image: www.4Deserts.com / Onni Cai
But after he finished the race, he had to leave her behind because of strict laws about taking animals between countries.
Image: www.4Deserts.com / Onni Cai
Only temporarily, however.
Image: www.4Deserts.com / Onni Cai
Since getting back to the UK, Dion has launched a campaign to bring Gobi back to him in Edinburgh, and he has already raised £6,285 – more than enough to pay for the paperwork and quarantine.
Image: www.4Deserts.com / Onni Cai
