Zahab Speaks to Capacity Crowd at Strides Running Store in the Marda Loop

Canadian Ultramarathon Man, Ray Zahab, was intrigued by an article he read in his chiropractor's office. Inspired by the article and after just a few months of training, he embarked on a 160 km odyssey, dragging a sled while he ran over the frozen terrain of Yukon Territory. When his feet finally warmed up, he was addicted to the sport of running.

It was New Years Eve 2000 when Ray made a resolution to change his unhealthy lifestyle, vowing to break his pack-a-day smoking and Guinness-drinking habit. Ray took some time before he plunged into the world of Ultra Running, starting out by climbing hills and flying down them on his mountain bike. It was several years later that the fateful day in the doctor's office arrived.

After chilling through his first experience, Ray turned up the heat, literally. He has racked up several victories and a few defeats (or as he would phrase it; learning experiences) in the scorching heat of the deserts of Africa, the rainforests of South America and the brutal temperatures of Death Valley, California. For Ray, it is not about the pace, or even the race, it is about the challenge; both the physical and especially the psychological. Ray has conquered adventure running races ranging in distance from 160 to 250 km.

Several races through the sand brought out a love for the Sahara and hatched a plan; he and two running partners/close friends decided to give back to a part of the world that gave them the experiences of a lifetime. In 2006, they planned and executed an almost 7500 km, 111 day adventure run across the entire Sahara, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea. The project raised money and awareness of the challenges that Saharan African communities face with the quality of their drinking water through the charity, H2O Africa. No one knows the need for drinkable water more than an endurance runner, especially one who runs in the desert! Stay tuned for the film documenting their incredible expedition, Running the Sahara, produced by Matt Damon, coming next March to a theatre near you.

Ray is role model for making a positive lifestyle change and achieving your goals. He is a perfect example of setting goals for change and achievement and following them through to completion. Ray's biography, Running For My Life, will be coming soon to Strides Running Store. Check back shortly for details.  

Visit: www.rayzahab.com for more information on Ray Zahab.

Check out the Calgary Running News Special Zahab Edition for more background on Ray and information on his causes.

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Strides Running Store