Sahara Race 2006
 
 

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Competitors Bios
       

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# Last Name First Name Nationality Age Team / Sponsor Bio
101 Ahn Byeung Sik
Korea, South
33   Byeung Sik is a teacher based in Seoul, Korea. Athletic achievements include the 2001 and 2002 Dong-A International Marathon, 2001 Seoul Ultra Marathon 100km, 2002 Jeju Ultra Marathon 100km, 2003 Jeju Ironman, 2004 Jeju Triathlon, the 2005 Jeju Peace Marathon, the Sahara Race 2005, the Atacama Crossing 2006 and the Gobi March 2006, where he placed first. This will be Byeung Sik's fourth 4 Deserts event.
102 Alvarez J. Frank
Mexico
41   Frank is originally from Mexico. He is self employed working in the metal stamping industry in the United States where he provides logistical, service and engineering support. He has completed several races but this will be his first major race of this magnitude. He was first intrigued by it a year ago after seeing a special on television where it showed ordinary people doing an extraordinary event.
103 Andrews Nicholas L.
United Kingdom
29   Nick is a junior trader with Morgan Stanley in the United Kingdom. His accomplishments include the London Marathon 2001/2005, a 420 mile bike ride from San Francisco to LA and a 120 mile bike ride London to Birmingham. This event will be Nick’s first 4 Deserts event
104 Barclay Rupert D.I.
United Kingdom
32   Rupert is a TV researcher and archaeologist from the United Kingdom. His past athletic achievements include the 2005 London Marathon 2005, among others. This will be his first 4 Deserts event.
105 Baron Gary M.
Canada
48 Gary is a business development director for Teekay Shipping based out of Canada. He is originally from Lincolnshire, United Kingdom. Since completing his first marathon in 2003, Gary managed to join the exclusive Grand Slam Club in April this year by completing a marathon on every continent and one at the North Pole. The Sahara Race will be his first "ultra" and his first 4 Deserts event -- so his goal is to finish.
106 Barrett Kim L.
United States
24   Kim is an Army Officer stationed in Germany. She has participated in a myriad of outdoor events throughout her life, but has yet to participate in an ultra marathon. The Sahara Race 2006 will be Kim's first 4 Deserts event.
107 Benetti Nicola
Italy
44   Nicola is a father of two from Italy who is an operations manager in the shoe industry. He has completed a number of ultra marathons including Firenze Faenza and the Marathon des Sables. He has also completed 12 marathons world wide and a number of half marathons. Nicola is also a scuba diving instructor and an avid squash player taking 7 seven regional titles. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
108 Boost Johann
United Kingdom
26   Johann is a lawyer for Freshfields in the United Kingdom. He keeps his fitness levels up so that he can pursue a number of activities. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
109 Cavallaro Lawrence G.
Australia
56   Lawrence is a high school administrator from Australia. His achievements include finishing completing the Australian Ironman six times, the Hawaiian Ironman twice, the Kokoda Track in 2002, the Simpson Desert Cycle Classic in 2004, the Gold Coast Ultra run 2005 and, a number of multi day treks, in addition to as well as being a middle distance/distance running coach. This will be his first 4 Deserts event.
110 Chalmers Andrew M.
United Kingdom
41   Andrew works in oceaneering and is an avid amateur runner athlete based in Angola. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
111 Chand Jeffrey S.
Canada
29   Jeffery is the owner of a health care clinic in Vancouver Canada practicing Chinese medicine and acupuncture. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
112 Coyne Robert
United States
44   Robert is a business owner from the United States. He has completed the Gobi March 2003 and 2005, as well as the Atacama Crossing 2004 and 2006 making the Sahara Race 2006 his fifth 4 Deserts event.
113 Dawson James M.
United States
39   James is a manufacturing manager in the Auto Industry from the United States. He is an avid sportsman competing in adventure races, ultra marathons and triathlons. James also enjoys alpine mountain climbing. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
114 Eastridge Jacqueline Y.
United States
46 Sponsor: Pepper Hamilton LLP

Jacqueline is from the United States where she works as a senior paralegal. She is an avid sportswomen with a keen interest in dragon boating, having recently made the US dragon boat team. A trip to Africa has inspired her to race in support of others with all the funds she raises going to the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania. This will be her first 4 Deserts event.
115 Ellis Hunter
United States
38
Team History Channel

Hunter Ellis, host of The History Channel series, MAN, MOMENT, MACHINE, is a former Navy Fighter Pilot with over 10 years of military service. He completed two Middle East deployments in support of Operations Southern Watch and Desert Strike and accumulated over 2000 flight hours and 433 carrier landings. A third generation Naval Aviator, he was also a qualified F/A-18 Flight Demonstration Pilot and Landing Signals Officer. After completion of his service, Ellis worked as a pilot for FedEx for five years.

Previously, Ellis was the host of The History Channel series TACTICAL TO PRACTICAL where his energetic spirit led him to the center of countless heart-stopping adventures. He has skydived solo with the Army’s Golden Knights, flown with both the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds, and jumped out of helicopters with the Coast Guard’s rescue swimmers, just to name a few. From 2003 to 2005, he was also the host of the evening magazine show, 9 on the Town, in Los Angeles and in 2002 he competed as a contestant on the CBS hit show Survivor: Marquesas.

Ellis has traveled to over 30 countries, and continues to seek out new and exciting challenges. An avid outdoorsman, he resides in Southern California where the diverse landscape provides the perfect training grounds for adventure racing, his latest pursuit. The Sahara Race will be Hunter’s first 4 Deserts event.
116 Fierstadt Jack A.
United States
45   Jack was a trial attorney litigating cases daily as a profession. At the same time, he was an avid mountain biker often riding 5-6 days a week. In March of 1994 his life changed dramatically as the result of an injury on his mountain bike. He broke his neck in two places as well as his back. He has been "working his way back" ever since. RacingThePlanet has inspired him to try and complete a race and then take it from there. He completed the Gobi March 2006 and this will be his second 4 Deserts event.
117 Zamora Sonya J.
United States
36   Sonya Fortune resides in Corona del Mar, California and is originally from Troy, Alabama.  She formed and is the principal of Fortune Design, a three- year- old residential and small business interior design firm in Newport Beach. She and her husband will be racing to raise money for an abused children's charity they founded, The Fun and Fit Club of Olive Crest. Sonya has been a serious runner since 2000. She has recently started competing and placing in Trail Runs and has competed in Team Adventure Racing. She loves travel, adventure and meeting new people. She looks forward to sharing with her husband (and best friend), the toughest mental and physical challenge of her life. This will be her first 4 Deserts event.
118 Fujisaki Yasue
Japan
37   Yasue works for YTI Corporation in Japan and has been competing in outdoor events for more than ten years. She is a veteran 4 Deserts racer competitor having completed the Gobi March 2005 and 2006, Sahara Race 2005 and the Atacama Crossing 2006. The Sahara Race 2006 will be her fifth 4 Deserts event.
120 Galanzino Francesco
Italy
45   Francesco is a doctor in economics from Italy and currently manages a group of his own companies. He has been a climbing teacher, climbing in Pakistan and Bolivia. Francesco has taken part in the Gobi March 2006 (second place), Atacama Crossing 2006 (third place), along with the the Neandertrail 2005, the Raid Teneré 2005 and the Marathon des Sables 2005. The Sahara Race 2006 will be Francesco’s third 4 Deserts event.
121 Hastrup Susanne
Denmark
33   Susanne is a marketing coordinator from Denmark. She was a volunteer at the Gobi March 2005 and Sahara Race 2005 and raced as a competitor in the Atacama Crossing 2006. The Sahara Race 2006 will be Susanne’s second 4 Deserts event as a competitor.
122 Hayashi Yukako
Japan
33   Yukako has been drawing since she was a child. She is now an illustrator and publisher for magazines and books. She came to enjoy running long distances after completing the Marathon des Sables 2002. Since then she has published her race experiences, with illustrations in many running magazines. This will be Yukako's second 4 Deserts event after completing the Gobi March earlier this year.
123 Hoffman Doreen L.
United States
46   Doreen is an a creditor rights attorney based in the United States. She grew up on a farm and is a lover of the outdoors. She is a triathlete with two ironmans under her belt and another soon to come, as well as one ultra marathon and 15+ marathons. This will be her first 4 Deserts event.
124 Holmes Mark D.
United Kingdom
27   Mark works in client services for Nomura in the United Kingdom. He has run the Prague Marathon, the London Marathon twice and the Madrid Marathon. The Sahara Race 2006 will be Mark’s first 4 Deserts event.
125 Hong John Suh
United States
40   Dr. John Hong is a defence analyst at the Institute for Defence Analyses in the United States. He has run 5 regular marathons and 4 ultra-marathons (2 50-milers and 2 100-milers). The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
126 Hong Hyun Bun
Korea, South
45   Hyun Bun is a housewife from South Korea who is a seasoned distance runner. She has taken part in 40 marathons along with three ultra marathons. This will be Hyun Bun’s first 4 Desert event.
127 Ishihara Yoshiaki
Japan
61   Yoshiaki is a hotel manager from Japan who has been running for over ten years. He has completed numerous races including the Gobi March 2005 and 2006, Sahara Race 2005 and Atacama Crossing 2006, winning his age group category in every race. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his fifth 4 Deserts event.
128 Isomura Kazuo
Japan
67   Kazuo is a retiree from Japan that enjoys his retirement life running in beautiful nature. He has completed over ten ultra marathons including the Gobi March 2006 and the Atacama Crossing 2006. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his third 4 Desert event.
129 Johnston Paul Mac
Scotland
47   Paul Mac is a self employed consultant from Scotland who loves a bit of adventure. He is competing in the Sahara Race 2006 to raise money for the Scottish Society for Autism. This will be his first 4 Deserts event.
130 Jones Daniel J.
United Kingdom
49   Daniel is a self employed builder from the U.K. and an athlete. This will be his first 4 Deserts event.
131 Jones Michael E.
Canada
61   Michael is from Canada where he works in water treatment. He started running in 1971 finishing the Boston Marathon with the sixth fastest time in 1983. He has also won the silver medal for Canada in the marathon in the 1989 Masters Games. In total Michael has completed 58 marathons, the highlight of which was finishing the 100th Boston Marathon. This will be Michael’s first 4 Deserts event.
132 Jung Soo Chul
Korea, South
40

Soo Chul is an office worker from South Korea who has taken part in the 2003 200km Jeju ultra marathon and the 2005 100Km Buk-han river ultra marathon. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
133 Kondou Kiyoshi
Japan
44   Kiyoshi is a successful restaurant owner from Japan, running a restaurant called Yuzuan, popular among young people. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
134 Lee Jong Bae
Korea, South
63   Jong Bae is the C.E.O. of Ilhwa Co. Ltd. from South Korea. He has competed in 14 marathons and a number of ultra marathons. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
135 Lee Moo Woong
Korea, South
63   Moo Woong is the C.E.O. of Guijin, Inc. from South Korea. He has completed the 2004 Marathon des Sables, the Gobi March 2005 and the Atacama Crossing 2006. He unfortunately had to retire from the Sahara Race 2005 and is back to try again in an effort to conquer the 4 Deserts. This will be his fourth 4 Deserts event.
136 Lee Youn Hee
Korea, South
48   Youn Hee is the C.E.O. of Kukjin Co. from South Korea. His achievements include finishing the 2003 Marathon des Sables 2003. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
137 McCallum Sandra K.
Canada
40   Sandy McCallum is a motivational speaker and freelance writer. She previously worked as a national television reporter. Sandy competes in ultramarathons all over the world. She has raced in the Marathon des Sables seven times...2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. Sandy has also completed the Sahara Race 2005 (6th place women), the Gobi March 2006 (4th place women) and the Atacama Crossing 2006 (2nd place women). This race will mark her 11th desert ultramarathon, totaling over 1,400 miles in desert racing. She is currently writing a book about her experiences. To date, Sandy has competed in 26 ultramarathons and 19 marathons. Sandy is raising money for the Stollery Children's Hospital in Alberta, Canada. This will be her fourth 4 Deserts event.
138 McGrew Erin L.
United States
24   Erin is a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army. She trains hard and enjoys playing both tennis and volleyball. This will be her first 4 Deserts Event.
139 Moy Danny J.
United States
40
Team History Channel
 Danny Moy is a manager from the United States who is an avid adventure race athlete. He will be competing withTeam History Channel in the Sahara Race. Some of his more recent achievements are competing in the 2003 Eco-Challenge North America Championship, Canada, 2004 West Coast Adventure Race, California, 2004 Raid Series, Oregon, 2004 Mild Seven Outdoor Quest, Malaysia, 2005 Wild Onion Urban Adventure Race, Chicago 2005 and the Wilderness ARC, Scotland. This will be his first 4 Deserts event.
140 Nielsen Jacob
Denmark
36   Jacob is a independent businessman from Denmark who has participated in four mountain marathons, Sweden, ATC adventure races, the Citychallenge 100 Km (4th), six adventure races 100-120K, Le Grand Tour Sweden, the Jungle Marathon in Brazil and the Yukon Arctic 100 mile race in Canada.  He has also completed the Gobi March 2005, 2006, the Sahara Race 2005 and the Atacama Crossing 2006 making this his fifth 4 Deserts event.
141 O’Donnell Rossa
Ireland
38   Rossa is ex-military and now running his own business. The Gobi March 2005 was his first ultra event. He ran the Dublin Marathon in October 2005. His military experience has prepared him well for his first 4 Deserts event. Stupidity and memory loss are the driving force for this one. This will be his second 4 Deserts event.
142 O’Flynn Caspar M.
United Kingdom
36   Casper is from the United Kingdom where he works as a commercial support manager for Gate Gourmet. He has gained some experience during his stint with the Territorial Army where he “ran round hills with rucksacks”. He has also completed one marathon in four hours. This will be Casper’s first 4 Desert event.
143 Olsen Jimmi
Denmark
29 Sponsor: Kaiser Sport Jimmi is from Denmark and currently studying medicine.  He is an avid sportsman in all types of sports. He has been a long distance runner for about ten years and an adventure/multi-sport racer for three.  This will be his first 4 Deserts event.
144 Otsuka Satoru
Japan
66   Satoru is enjoying his retirement in Japan whilst racing around the world. He holds the world record for completing all the 4 Deserts events to date, crossing the great Gobi three times (Gobi March 2003, 2005 and 2006), the Atacama two times (Atacama Crossing 2004 and 2006) and the Sahara already once (Sahara Race 2005). The Sahara Race 2006 will be his 8th 4 Deserts event.
145 Park Miran
Korea, South
43   Miran is a housewife from South Korea who has undertaken marathons in the past. The Sahara Race 2006 will be her first 4 Deserts event.
146 Pethigal James J.
United States
42   James is a Senior Network Engineer with the non-profit PTSO of Washington in Seattle, Washington. He has competed in numerous marathons, adventure races and ultras including the Marathon des Sables, the Atacama Crossing 2004, the Gobi March 2005/2006 and Sahara Race 2005. He enjoys backpacking, biking, kayaking, and has travelled to over 100 countries throughout the world. The Sahara Race 2006 will be James’s fourth 4 Deserts event.
147 Phillips George A.
United Kingdom
42   George runs his own hedge fund company Axis Capital, founded in 1999 and specialising in Asian markets, specifically China, Taiwan, India and Japan. He has run a number of events such as the Jungfrau Marathon in 2000, Marathon des Sables in 2001, the Jordan Desert Cup in 2002, the Jungle Marathon in 2003 and the first marathon to be run in Brazil. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
148 Pillinger Douglas L.
United Kingdom
42   Douglas works in the oil and gas industry in Angola where he is based. He played club rugby until four years ago and more recently has turned to trekking and marathons. He is looking for outdoor endurance challenges. This will be his first 4 Desert event
149 Price Claire L. M.
United Kingdom
37   Claire works in real estate in Hong Kong where she competes regularly in adventure races and the local Trailwalker. Her achievements include winning the HK Trailwalker mixed category in 2003, winning the mixed category HK Action Asia 2005, completing the 102km North Face Mt. Blanc Ultra and coming 2nd overall in Seyonasia’s Himalayan adventure race last October. The Sahara Race will be Claire’s first 4 Deserts event.
150 Prstojevich Michael D.
United States
36
Team History Channel
 Mike works in product management in the United States. He caught the adventure bug while working for Nike on watches inspired by adventure racing. Mike has raced in the Balance Bar and Big Blue Adventure Race Series, both in the sprint and 24-hour races. He also participated in the Wild Onion 24 hour adventure races in Chicago and New York. Mike currently works for SPARQ, a Portland company that combines sports, science and design to create innovative training tools that help high school athletes maximize their athletic potential. This will be his first 4 Deserts event.
151 Roberts Harold B.
United Kingdom
48   Harold currently lives in Angola working in the Oil and Gas industry. He has lived all over the world and has trekked on the Alps, Andes, and Kilimanjaro. In addition to this he has run the London and Harrow marathons. This will be his first 4 Deserts event.
152 Roende Thomas
Denmark
30   Thomas is a self employed electrician based in Copenhagen, Denmark. He has run some adventure races in Sweden and Denmark. This is his second 4 Deserts event this year after finishing 23 in the Atacama Crossing 2006.
153 Sawyer Martyn P. A.
Hong Kong
49   Martyn is based in Hong Kong where he works in the hotel industry. He has been a resident there for over 20 years where he is actively involved in rugby, both competing and coaching. In addition to rugby he is a keen trail walker who enjoys exploring Hong Kong’s stunning scenery. He is racing in the Sahara Race to raise money for Camp Quality. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
154 Taylor Victoria J.
United Kingdom
26   Victoria is an Associate in Foreign Exchange at Citigroup and lives in London. This will be Victoria's first 4 Deserts Event and she will be running together with Andrew Watkins-Ball, in their team 'V&A'. Victoria has always been a keen athlete and played hockey at County level. The Sahara Race will be her first 4 Deserts event and the first competitive race she has taken part in since she finished studying.
155 Tomada Patrick
United States
53   Patrick is the Global Senior Executive Vice President for Iron Street Investment Co, in the United States. His achievements include finishing the Marathon des Sables five times, Skyrunning in Mexico, three time runner of the Kokopelli Trail 50K in Colorado, the Chott Xtreme Marathon on a salt lake in Nefta, Tunisia -- a 0 to 3000m up-hill run on the Etna volcano in Sicily, many trail running events and triathlons. He recently competed in the Atacama Crossing 2006. He is an avid extreme sports and adventure sports participant when he can find the time. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his second 4 Deserts event.
156 Watkins-Ball Andrew C.
South Africa
27   Andrew is from South Africa and is a vice president with Citigroup based in London. He has completed the Desert Cup 2001, the Gobi March 2003 and the Kindrochit quadrathlon 2004. Andrew’s previous race, the Gobi March 2003, was completed in support for of a childcare centre in South Africa for which he managed to raise $50,000. This will be his second 4 Deserts event and he will be running with Victoria Taylor.
157 Wehbi Alain S.
Lebanon
39 Sponsor: Standard Charter Bank Ali is an ICT consultant based in Lebanon. He has completed the 21st Marathon Des Sables (2006) and the Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
158 Willis Austin C.
United States
43   Austin is an entrepreneur from the United States who is the president of JT Power, a company he founded that now has $20m in annual sales. He has completed several triathlons, the most recent of which was Imperial Beach 2006. This will be his first 4 Deserts event.
159 Yeo Sang Hoon
Korea, South
39   Sang Hoon is an IT consultant from South Korea. He has run over 20 marathons, 2 ultra marathons and participated twice in the Jeju Ironmans in 2004 and 2005. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
160 Yoo Byoung Bog
Korea, South
52   Byoung Bog is business trader from South Korea who has completed 10 marathons and 2 ultra marathons. The Sahara Race 2006 will be his first 4 Deserts event.
161 Zamora Mario P.
United States
35   Mario resides in Corna del Mar, California and works for GEICO insurance in the Los Angeles area. He and his wife Sonya are racing to raise money for their charity, the Fun and Fit Club of Olive Crest. Mario has been competing in marathons and adventure races since 1996. This will be his first 4 Deserts race.
 
 

The Sahara Race 2006 supports the following competitors and their chosen charities:

 
George Philips
ASPIRE
 
 
Johann Boost
The Anthony Nolan Trust
 
 
Nicholas Andrews and Mark Holmes
CARE International
 
 
Martyn Sawyer
Army Camp Quality
 
 
Jacqueline Eastridge
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)
 
 
Mario and Sonya Zamora
The Fun and Fit Club of Olive Crest
 
 
Rupert Barclay
International Medical Corps (UK)
 
 

Paul Johnston
Scottish Society for Autism
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 

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