Profile: Ray Zahab •1st place, Sahara Race (Egypt) 2005 •1st place, Libyan Challenge 2006 •1st place, Yukon Arctic Ultra 2004 •1st place team, Gobi March (China) 2006 •1st team, 8th solo, Jungle Marathon 2004 •3rd place, Trans 333 Niger 2004 •24th place, Marathon des Sables 2005

Ray Zahab

Canadian Ray Zahab started his running career later in life -- much later then most people would think! "I came from a background in equestrian sports…but sort of gave up on trying anything else- throwing a ball was too challenging for me !" "I was training elite athletes-and understood the science-I just didn't think I had it in me to do this stuff." In 2000, Ray started his adventure racing career and simultaneously started Mountain Bike racing. "I loved the 24 hour solo stuff -- so when someone suggested I try ultra running I gave it a shot." He won his first event -- the 100 mile Yukon Arctic Ultra. Then he discovered what he really loves –- The Sahara. "My favourite race had to be RacingThePlanet's Sahara Race (Egypt)race -- so cool." When he isn't running across deserts, he is a personal trainer and online running coach with the philosophy that there is a strong mind and body connection to fitness and well being.  His love for adventure sports comes from a passion for progressive challenges, ones that acknowledge his limitations and provide endless possibilities of self awareness. He speaks about his experiences worldwide with his Challenge.Distance.Discovery. talk. Currently, Ray and two other RacingThePlanet veterans, Charlie Engle and Kevin Lin, are attempting to run 6500 kilometers across the Sahara Desert. Having recently returned from running across the Sahara Desert from Senegal to Egypt in 111 days, Ray is now available to provide personal training advice. For more information, please email Ray at training@racingtheplanet.com.