Article

The Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset (MS2S) trail marathon was a magnificent event that combined nature beauty with the ultimate test of endurance. Running through the vast wilderness of the Lake Khovsgol area in bracing air, surrounded by spirit-uplifting mountains, everlasting blue skies and pristine waters, was a humbling experience of how slight we are in the grand expanse of nature. The challenging high-altitude over the course was breathtakingly hushed by the running excitement in new environment. From pine forests to rocky ascents reaching 2,300 meters, every step cheered a runner’s heart. The dedicated Mongolian helper, like the shepherd offering dried bananas at a remote submit, and the camaraderie among runners made every moment warmly connected. Each shared smile and word of encouragement reinforced the collective spirit of this extraordinary race. Although, at the 42KM finish line, my decision to give up the rest 58KM felt empowering, it engraved a lifelong lesson to me that the basic details must richly buffer against a black swan surprise, namely, a hole on the insole. The one-week horse trek after the race feels too short every time I recall it. The steady mountain goats that watching our ‘trespassing’, the gigantic eagle’s feather shining in the green grasses, the crystal clear mountain spring water, my tall and gentle horse that the herdsman chose for me who called back the group from straying, the delicious local lamb and the nature’s seamless requirement for our harmonious behavior – the whole journey on horseback and camping works was a life-changing experience. The Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset is not just a race; it’s an unforgettable odyssey that leaves you humbled, inspired and forever changed.