Day 51 - Darkhan, Mongolia

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July 21       Photos by Chris Emerick

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SIMON ISAACS!

We’re pleased to announce the third runner who has celebrated a birthday while running for water: Mr. Simon Isaacs, the enthusiastic guerilla global ambassador. Give that man a microphone and watch out — he’ll have you jumping around to his beatboxing and rally cries in no time.

Simon Isaacs has a special birthday tradition that involves running the same numbers of miles as his new age. Being on the Blue Planet Run has only encouraged him to continue this tradition, so today Simon covered 27 miles. First he ran 10 miles alongside Team Orange teammate Sean Harrington, then 10 miles by himself, finally joining his other teammate Sunila Jayaraj for the remaining seven miles. This promises to be a memorable birthday for Simon — it has certainly inspired the entire team!

Simon runs 27 miles in Mongolia to celebrate his 27th birthday.

Will Dobbie plays hoops before his run.

After seeing only trucks and cars as sources of transportation in Russia, imagine the culture shock when the runners arrived in Mongolia to see people riding horses and camels. In many spots, animals seemed to outnumber the people. It’s rather difficult to explain water sustainability to a cow, but the farmers seem to understand.

The runners are now in Darkhan, the second-largest city in Mongolia. Before beginning his 9:00 p.m. shift, runner Will Dobbie had some time to kill, and, noticing some kids outside playing basketball, he joined in for a quick pickup game. At this point, the kids knew they had to step it up and show the new (foreign) guy whose territory it was. Since Will was nearly a foot taller than any of the kids, they had to work especially hard — and boy, did they ever! Sweat beads poured from the kids’ heads as they ran faster and shot harder in order to prove themselves. Everyone had a great time.

It just goes to show that Blue Planet Runners are inspiring in more ways than one.

A local woman pulls water from her well ...

... and welcomes members of the crew to her ger where she is cooking.

Jason crosses a bridge over a small river in Mongolia.