November 12th, 2006 by 
Bobbie Grennier
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As a television producer currently living in North Carolina Charlie Engle has completed in over 200 road races and triathlons, including 50 marathons and ultramarathons.
He has also completed three Eco Challenges and three Raid Gauloises events, along with the Southern Traverse and Discovery Channel World Championships. He is the only person to have completed the Eco Challenge, the Raid Gauloises and the Hawaii Ironman in the same year.
Charlie came in first in the Gobi March (China, 2003) and second in the Atacama Crossing (Chile, 2004). He has also summited five mountains over 20,000 feet including Mt. McKinley in Alaska in 2002. Charlie is a certified white water guide and a PADI diver. |
Posted in Sports, Extreme, No Fear, Fitness, Adventure, Power Sports, Video Clips, Podcast, Events, Nutrition, Pictures Photos, Magazine, Channel, Gear, Wallpaper Posters, Equipment, Outdoor, Indoor, Athlete, Sportswear, Games | 
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November 11th, 2006 by Bobbie Grennier
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Hailing from Chelsea, Quebec, Ray Zahab is an extreme athlete and competitor as well as a functional strength coach and busy motivational speaker.
Prior to his days as an extreme athlete, Ray was a professional equestrian riding at both the national and world levels. Ray also competed in professional mountain biking.
Ray has competed in numerous extreme races winning 1st Place Yukon Arctic Ultra 2004, 1st Place Sahara Race, Egypt 2005, 1st Place Libyan Challenge 2006, 1st Place Gobi March Team 2006, 1st Place Jungle Marathon Team (with Charlie!), 3rd Place Trans 333, Niger 2004 and 8th place solo Jungle Marathon 2004. |
Posted in Sports, Extreme, No Fear, Fitness, Adventure, Power Sports, Video Clips, Podcast, Events, Nutrition, Pictures Photos, Magazine, Channel, Gear, Wallpaper Posters, Equipment, Outdoor, Indoor, Athlete, Sportswear, Games | No Comments »
November 10th, 2006 by Bobbie Grennier
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Widely regarded as the top runner in Taiwanese history, 30 year old Kevin Lin is currently studying for his Masters Degree in Sports Psychology at Cheng-Chung University, one of the top universities in Taiwan. Recently Kevin was awarded the SPIRIT AWARD, the highest honor possible for a Taiwanese civilian.
In 96 years, only 50 SPIRIT AWARDS have been presented. Of those, only 7 have gone to athletes and Kevin is the only runner. This honor has literally made Kevin Lin a hero to the Taiwanese people.
In addition to holding many Taiwanese records, Kevin also placed 3rd in the 2006 The Last Desert 250k across Antarctica, 2nd in the 2005 Egyptian Sahara Race 250k, 1st in the 2004 The Atacama Desert Crossing Chile 250k, 2nd in the 2004 The Jungle Marathon-Amazon Jungle Brazil 200k and 2nd in the Gobi March-Northern China Gobi Desert.
Kevin was recently named as the 4 Deserts Champion for having the best overall placing in the 4 largest desert races in the world. His record is unmatched. |
Posted in Sports, Extreme, No Fear, Fitness, Adventure, Power Sports, Video Clips, Podcast, Events, Nutrition, Pictures Photos, Magazine, Channel, Gear, Wallpaper Posters, Equipment, Outdoor, Indoor, Athlete, Sportswear, Games | No Comments »
November 10th, 2006 by Charlie Engle
Charlie's quote for the day:
"Today is the day the run became a job!"
I spoke with Charlie this morning. He is still doing well, although struggling a bit. He and his teammates are simply tired, hot, and lacking sleep.
They knew the first couple of weeks would be tough so they aren't complaining at all, but they have released how they are feeling.
Their bodies will basically be "torn down" over a period of time before they adjust.
If they can just make it through these next several days, their bodies will have become more accustomed, along with their minds, and it will be much easier. (easy? - I don't think so.)
They're still treking through Mauritania and will soon enter a United Nations developement plan; a millennium village. They will get to view a finsihed product of what the hopes of this run will help accomplish throughout Africa.
As they ran early this morning through a small village, a few children began to run with them. Before they knew it, at least 15o children were running with them as they passed through the village. "A sight to behold!"
I asked about their food intake. They've been drinking at least 15 liters of fluids a day and eating cooked meals of pasta, rice, or couscous with a "beef stew" type topping. It's been more than acceptable, although they look forward to some of the "comfort foods" they brought with them each day.
It will take some time for their bodies to adjust to their new eating habits as well. They will have to take in over 8,000 calories a day to keep their bodies functioning properly. ( and so they don't lose too much weight. It is possible they could lose as much as 30 pounds or more by the end of this run. (not the ideal diet plan for most of us - LOL)
Keep checking in for the latest. I'm doing the best I can with what I have here.
From Lisa Trexler at "Team Charlie" headquarters
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November 10th, 2006 by Ray Zahab
Hey Gang!
We are here now in Mauritania after running through a small part of Senagal!
We have so far run over 500 kms with daily runs in the 70 km range. The running has definitely been tough, but rewarding. It is super hot- sometimes reaching the high 40's. We have been shooting for around 50 kms in the morning- and then another 20 to 25 after lunch.
We have seen many cool things already- such as camels, small desert towns, scorpions, and even a camel spider!
The people out here are amazing as usual- and the terrain as well, incredible.
Sandy trak for the most part so far- and sandy valleys a plenty!
We are now heading for the border of Mali! I will keep you updated. Mauritania is our biggest country to run across- so getting to Mali is a huge goal.
Cheers
Ray
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November 8th, 2006 by Charlie Engle
Okay everyone!
It's been 8 days.
They've covered about 450 K so far!
Their all doing really well and still have great spirit.
They are on their way to Nema, Mauritania along the "Trans Sahara Hwy."
It's a straight route for now.
They've come into some really large sand dunes and some really large scorpions as well.
Charlie says this area is beautiful. "Amazingly beautiful."
Each new place they enter is more fascinating than the last.
They've been getting up around 4:00am to start running due to the heat. It is usually 115 degrees by 11:00am. Very HOT!
Let's keep the faith and show our support!
450 K - a drop in the bucket compared to the 4,000 miles they will cross to fill the bucket!
Can WE help fill the bucket? ...... with clean water?
Charlie's doing his part. Are we doing ours?
Spread the word, raise awareness, and get support.
Log onto
www.runningthesahara.com and click on H2O Africa to find out how you can help.
Take care everyone
Take care Charlie, Ray, and Kevin
From "Team Charlie" headquarters
Questions or comments:
ltrexler8@aol.com
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November 7th, 2006 by Charlie Engle
The latest:
Charlie and his teammates, Kevin and Ray, ran about 75 K yesterday.
They ran 7 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening.
The temperatures are well over 110 degress during the day and the nights are very cool.
He said: "The country is beautifuland I am doing well physically."
Kevin had a much better day and Ray is doing great and feeling very strong.
Don't forget to log onto
www.runningthesahara.com
It should be up and "running" soon so you'll be able to track progress and read about H2O AFRICA to help donate for new wells and clean water.
From:
Team Charlie
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November 3rd, 2006 by Charlie Engle
Everything looks GREAT so far in Africa.
The "boys" ran their first 30 k through Senegal to the border of Mauritania.
I spoke with him for a brief moment;
Charlie: "Things went very well here today. We feel really good. We kept it slow. It's beautiful here and we can't wait to start again tomorrow."
Check back later for more updates.
From: Team Charlie
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