Show Date: February 8, 2006 
Peter Melyan for THE DEEP on line

Australian, Matthew Chapman Challenges Antartica Race
A Racing The Planet Extreme Science Event

Welcome to The Deep science and technology column where we cover topics from the deep sea to deep space and beyond. Join us each week on Newstalk K57 on Wednesday night from 7 to 8 PM for exciting live science expeditions or listen live on our web site www.the deepradioshow.com. This week we introduce the amazing world class races called Racing The Planet. Mary Godams' insperation to start Racing The Planet came through her brothers challenge to race in a marathon. It was her first race and spured her on the establish this amazing series of races now covering the 4 corners of the globe.

RACING THE PLANET

Racing The Planet was started in 1996 on a part-time basis, and in 2002 became Mary's full time challenge. The inaugural event was the Gobi March, this was the first time an out side organization had sponsored a sporting event in China's Gobi Desert. Even with the effects of SARS, and the difficulties of a start-up in an unfamiliar location, Racing The Planet attracted 15 countries and National Geographic filmed the event. The next event, also a desert event, was held in Chile and called The Atacama Crossing. Once again it was was one of the first major international sporting event in the Atacama Desert. Participants from 20 countries entered the race. Even BBC filmed the event for a prime-time reality show. Racing The Planet was on its way to success.

History In The Making
History has been made with the first ultramarathon and first 100-miler to be held on the Antarctica continent. In January, Racing The Planet introduced yet another first by staging the first Antartica Race. There are now four races each year sponsored by Racing The Planet. Plus a new training camp for the various events.

Event Place Date
The Last Desert Antartica 24.Jan.06
4 Deserts Base Camp St. Lucia 20.April.06
Gobi March Mongolia 28.May.06
Atacama Crossing Chile 23.July.06
Sahara Race Egypt 29.Oct.06

Racing The Planet's aim is to make the 4 Deserts race series the premier outdoor event in the world. The events themselves are kept to a size that allows maximization for the competitors. In the near future they also hope to introduce special gear and clothing for the events.

Matthew Chapman, who has competed in all four of the race series, will join us on Wednesday. Yes he has completed all four events within a span of two years. He, together with the other competitors made history. Matthew's journals for the various races are facinating. He seemed to like the Gobi Desert race the best but learned basic lessons from his his first two races and feels that good fitting shoes and clothes that protect are a must and also really likes Dried Green Peas or Wasabi peas and ramen.

Matthew's updates and journals stress the importance of equipment and training. But he is also very aware of the importance of the cultural environment and understanding the many people you meet and who help you along the way. As a tribute to Racing The Planet, Matthew stated that his experience with the First Three Desert Races was more than in his MBA training. Wow! What an insight. Visit our web site www.thedeepradioshow.com, and link to, Racing the Planet.

After each race Matthew was sure he would not do this again. The pain was too much and more. But here we are after the fourth and final race, The Last Desert (Antartica) and Matthew is still entering these extreme and challenging races. Will Matthew enter another race? Was Antartica the most difficult? We will just have ask him and find out if he has another race waiting around the corner.

Join us this week on The Deep as we talk to Matthew Chapman from Racing The Planet and The Last Desert, Antartica Race. The Deep is broadcast on Newstalk K57 every Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. You can also listen live from our web site www.thedeepradioshow.com. Join Jim Sullivan, Pam Eastlick, and Peter Melyan on the deepest radio show on Earth.