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I n Front On July 6, runners from all over the world will gather on the pristine shores of Lake Hovsgol, high above northern Mongolia, to power through an 18-hour test of wills. Mongolia's Sunrise to Sunset 2000, the second race of what is to be an annual event will run through the highs and lows of the dramatic terrain in a whopping 62.I-mile alpine ultramarathon. The route traverses three spectacular mountain passes- Chichee Pass, at 7,546 feet, is the first and highest-and involves a cumulative altitude change of 11,040 feet. Racers wi ll spend at least three days before the event acclimatizing to these altitudes. Last year, 36 hard-core runners from six continents participated in the race and two Mongolians, Tsogtbaatar Norov and Biambadorj CtlOgosom, took the top spots. For founders Chris Hazen, Nicolas Musy and Tyler Pike, the Sunrise to Sunset began with a shared love of running outdoors in unsullied, far-off places. In late May 1998, while Nicolas was living in Shanghai, the three decided to go traveling in Mongolia While they were there, they went for a run at Lake Hbvsgbl and fell in love with the region. "After that, we founded the race in a Beijing airport coffee shop on the back of a napkin," Chris says, laughing at their enthusi- asm. "And we also had a shared desire to create an event that would contribute to sustainable ecological tourism in the region." More than an act of physical triumph , cross-cultural exchange motivates the nonprofit race. Chris, Nicolas and Tyler work closely with local residents, horse guides and tour operators. In trib- ute to the cultural spirit of the event, most runners take an extra minute to circle the OVOO, or ceremonial ca irn, that sits at the begin- ning of the trail. The ovoo is constructed to pay respect to the gods who reside in and among the local flora and fauna. Protecting Mongolia's natural environment is a key understanding among race participants. 28 This year's race proceeds will go toward either providing vehicled transport for garbage out of Lake Hbvsgbl National Park, the first national park to be found- ed in Mongolia in 1998, or hiring more rangers to work in the understaffed park. A significant part of the post-marathon festivi- ties will be the Naadam Festival, a three-day celebration marking the anniversary of the 1921 Mongolian Revolution. Described by race organizers as "a combination of New Year's Eve, Mardi Gras and Independence Day rol led into one," two million people celebrate with traditional danc- ing, drinking and song-not to mention a whole lot of food. Ferocious wrestling contests, archery demonstra- tions and horse racing mark the first two days of the cel- ebration, while colorful parades and dramatic perfor- mances in the Mongolian nomadic tr'adition take place throughout. The love for the region that inspired Chris, Nicolas and Tyler has proved infectious among race par- ticipants. "Mongolia is truly a special place," said American competitor Mary Ritz, the second woman ever to finish a marathon on all seven continents. "I feel hon- ored and extremely lucky to have been able to run here." While in Mongolia, participants can journey 233 miles south of Ulaan Baatar into the Gobi Desert to visit Genghis Khan's abandoned capital, Kharkhorin. It's where the sun rose and set on the great Mongol Empir'e, and a fitting place for the world's most elite ultrarunners to finish their visit to Mongolia .-Bonnie Tsui FOR INFORMATION CHECK OUT WWW.ULTRAMONGOLlA.COM