Rat Race Mongol 100 2024

WE DID IT! We covered 100 Brutal Miles on foot, Nordic skates & cross country ski’s across the frozen Lake Khövsgöl, to the finish line of our 20th Rat Race/most extreme adventure to date, Mongol 100
The aim was mostly to Nordic Skate/Run this event, but it didn’t go quite to plan as Mother Nature had unfortunately covered the entire lake with snow, which was in places quite deep, meaning skating was unfortunately mostly impossible (this is the only time you’ll ever hear me moan about snowfall)
Due to the snow, we chose to begin Day 1. on Cross Country Ski’s. After some time and due to the deep snow, we switched back to our normal boots and continued on foot, to camp one, which was on the edge of the lake and our first of three nights sleeping in single skin teepee’s. The temperature that night dropped to -37° (which was colder on this day than it was in Antarctica and at Everest Base Camp!) Despite sleeping in ski socks, Montane trousers, down jacket, beanie and gloves in a Rab 1100 down sleeping bag, with a thermal fleece lining in it, it was still a very cold night and not much sleep was had!
Day 2 began with a bitterly cold wind which was absolutely savage, and added to the already very cold -28° conditions! After another days trekking further across the lake through the deep snow we arrived at camp two, on an island in the middle of the lake. Everyone sat round the camp fire having food and Mongolian vodka, before another freezing cold night in the teepee’s.
Day 3 began with more bitterly cold wind, the ice was now showing in patches (sadly not enough to skate on) and the snow was very thin so after putting our crampons on we set off. Mid way through the day we crossed a stunning ice field where we had to watch our footings and climb across different jagged parts. The ice was so beautiful, it was thick and clear, seeing and hearing it crack underfoot could be a little unnerving at times though! Camp three was again on the edge of the lake in the teepee’s.
Day 4. We got ALL the goodies… Beautiful sun, no wind, -28° and the best bit… Loads of exposed ice, meaning I managed to Skate! Gliding across the crystal clear ice was an absolutely incredible experience and perfectly smooth for quite a distance! We crossed the finish line around 3:30pm and celebrated with everyone, before making our way back to the Ger camp at Khatgal where we stayed again in our original Ger. After another wet wipe wash and putting on some clean clothes, we all had food and a party in the main Ger with all the other participants, the crew, medics & the Mongolian support crew, who were all lovely. It was so nice to sleep in an actual bed again and be warm and toasty!
Lake Khövsgöl is absolutely stunning and is also the largest expanse we’ve ever stood on, no photo’s will truly show its enormity or how vast it is. Whilst we trained physically and mentally for this adventure and brought exactly the right gear/kit, nothing could truly have prepared us for this huge feat of endurance, what an incredible and unique life experience it’s been.
All of the thanks go to Rat Race, the crew, medics and the Mongolian support team. A link to the Rat Race website is below:
www.ratrace.com/