About this item
A man, a dog, and the lengths to which love will go to sacrifice for its companion. Finding Gobi is the miraculous tale of Dion Leonard, a seasoned ultramarathon runner who crosses paths with a stray dog while competing in a 155-mile race through the Gobi Desert in China. The lovable pup, who would later earn the name Gobi, proved that what she lacked in size, she more than made up for in heart, as she went step for step with Dion over the Tian Shan Mountains, across massive sand dunes, through yurt villages and the black sands of the Gobi Desert, keeping pace with him for 77 miles. As Dion witnessed the incredible determination and heart of this small animal, he found his own heart undergoing a change as well. Whereas in the past these races were all about winning and being the best, his goal now was to make sure he and Gobi's friendship continued well after the finish line. He found himself letting Gobi sleep in his tent at night, giving her food and water out of his own limited supply, and carrying her across numerous rivers, even when he knew it would mean putting him behind in the race, or worse, prevent him from finishing at all. Although Dion did not cross the finish line first, he felt he had won something even greater - a new outlook on life and a new friend that he planned on bringing home as soon as arrangements were made. However, before he could take her home, Gobi went missing in the sprawling Chinese city where she was being kept. Dion, with the help of strangers and a viral outpouring of assistance on the internet, set out to track her down, and reunite forever with the amazing animal that changed his life and proved to him and the world that miracles are possible.
About the Author
Dion Leonard is an Australian/British ultra runner, motivational speaker and author. Dion started running in 2013 and has already achieved numerous top 10 finishes in ultra races around the world in the most extreme conditions. Dion has not only competed in but completed some of the world's toughest ultra running races across the most inhospitable landscapes. Across landscapes from inhospitable deserts, high altitude mountains to wild jungles Dion has pushed, tested, broken and rebuilt his mental and physical limits in search of the ultra high, to find himself and to become the best he can be. Dion's life changed forever when he was running a 155 mile race across the Gobi desert in China when a little stray dog ran 80 miles alongside him. Dion named the dog Gobi and his promise to bring Gobi home went viral, taking the world by storm. Before Dion could bring Gobi home she went missing in China and the story of 'Finding Gobi' began. Dion's amazing true story and incredible journey of Finding Gobi has since become a New York Times Bestseller, Sunday Times Bestseller and International Bestseller, printed in more than 21 languages which has also resulted in an upcoming movie. Dion has also written a Finding Gobi young readers edition, children's picture book and a book about his cat 'Lara Runaway Cat'.Dion and Gobi have appeared around the world on media appearances; CNN, Good Morning Britain, CBS, ABC America, ESPN, CCTV, BBC Breakfast and BBC World; Live radio interviews with BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Outlook, Talk Sport UK, NPR America, ABC Radio Australia, Eric Zane Show and many others; he has also been interviewed by China Daily, The Times, Washington Post, UK Independent, USA Today, Canadian Post, to name a few.Dion has been invited to speak at motivational, inspirational and corporate events ranging from hosting Duke of Edinburgh awards with Prince Edward, Ted X, literature festivals, solo theatre events, international and public schools, universities and animal charity ceremonies.
