Want to Run Anyone?

We have another speaker for the TEDx conference.  Ray Zahab is an adventurer who transformed his life as a self-described couch potato into a world-famous adventurer and ulta marathoner.  It all started on his epic expedition across the Sahara Desert on foot.  The journey took 111 days to cover the 7,500 kms. and is the subject of a documentary film Running the Sahara, produced and narrated by Matt Damon.  Not only did the Sahara run whet his appetite for more extreme runs, but it also raised his awareness of the water shortage in Africa.  Ray has since followed up with runs in the Arctic, the Antarctic, Lake Baikal, and Tunisia.

All of these runs have had a tie-in to a good cause, usually associated with the global water issue.  He's also expanded the runs to have an educational component through his impossible2Possible (i2P) organization that aims to inspire and educate youth through adventure learning and though inclusion and participation in expeditions.

When I saw him at TED a couple of years ago, he descibed his recently completed record-breaking unsupported trek to the South Pole.  Since then, he has completed several more exciting runs.  I'll be looking forward to hearing about his latest Youth Ambassadors have participated in the runs.  In addition, his organization provides educational materials for classroom use, and students can follow the trip via the Internet.

When I saw him at TED a couple of years ago, he had just completed an unsupported trek to the South Pole and talked about that voyage.  Since then, he has completed several more exciting runs.  I'll be looking forward to hearing about his latest adventure.