It's all about winning... Or is it?

By Dan Wedgwood

Justin vs. Madonna - (They've only got 4 minutes to save the world)

We are excited to have two very accomplished athletes from non-equestrian disciplines lining up to bid for Mongol Derby glory. As well as their diverse backgrounds, US entrant Justin Nelzen and New Zealand representative Madonna Harris have startlingly different attitides and approaches to the race.

In the red corner, we have former US marine and medal-winning martial artist-turned triathlete and marathon runner turned endurance rider. Controlling the controllables is his calling card. He has successfully transferred his own athletic prowess into a blossoming career in equestrian sport, including two medals at the North American Endurance Race and numerous international starts. “I didn’t know anything other than to train my horses like I trained myself,” he said. “Someone asked me before my first race what I expected. I told them I expected to win, and I did. I didn’t know any better at the time.”

In applying his military precision to the mighty Mongol Derby, Justin has stepped up his already impressive training regime, aiming to keep moving from dawn until dusk, just as he will be on the steppe; “I work as a farrier (not easy work) 5 days a week from about 8 am till 3 pm. When I wasn’t working my goal everyday was to go home and ride two horses for about 3-4 hours total. Once I got done with riding I would run 6 miles and do a light weight workout.” He has ridden with all of his kit, practised hobbling his horses, and even done long rides on strange horses to practise 'reading' unfamiliar steeds and getting the best out of them without knowing how fit they were. As if it weren't clear enough already, Justin is riding to win the Mongol Derby 2010. “I’m sure each and every one of us will have our reason for completing. As for me I am here to race.” One to watch, we're sure.

In the blue corner, another highly decorated international athlete, this time taking the reins for New Zealand. Madonna Harris, 53, has the rare distinction of competing in both a summer and a winter Olympics, in road cycling and cross country skiing. She was Commonwealth Champion in the individual pursuit cycling in 1990. In short, she's sporting royalty. These days she has swapped the whirr of carbon fibre for something altogether furrier and less aerodynamic, and as well as running a successful business, she is chef d'equipe for the Kiwi endurance riding squad.

In contrast to Justin's “just keep moving” strategy, much of her training has been in the more mental aspects of this unique challenge; “I have been working on accepting that it will be one of the hardest things I’ve done and knowing there are bound to be moments of difficulty. One interesting aspect of my training has been my approach to food. Over the last few months I’ve changed my eating habits, introducing more fat into my diet in preparation for what I think I may get to eat from the Nomads. I eat more sporadically, small quantities and make no ceremony of it.”

She may be keeping her Olympian cards close to her chest, but Madonna sees the Mongol Derby as a chance to immerse herself in a new culture and enjoy an alien and beautiful landscape. “I’m certainly not riding to win. I will not be in any rush to pass by quickly. I’m expecting to be distracted along the way by the culture and people, and I want to be able to see the environment as I travel through. I have a camera, lots of batteries and I intend to use it.”

You can follow Justin, Madonna, and all of the brave Derby riders LIVE on the website!!

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 One of the strangest things I guess is riding around my farm, moving cattle, wearing my backpack.I've decided to keep as much of my gear as possible actually attached to my person. I'm not keen to see it disappearing over the steppe on a rider-less horse. 

Madonna Harris talks tactics

Nobody is doing this a 1000 mph/kph. I focused on doing somewhat physical work all day. My job is physical but I made sure I didn’t stop at the end of my day. It became part one, work, part two ride part three workout. Doing this also helped me get a little lighter for the race. I’m not one that needs to lose weight by any means but I did end up losing about 15 lbs preparing for the race. Mostly what I call muscle weight into endurance weight.

Justin Nelzen on his preparations

Report by Miss Kate Willings, Head of Equitation and Tack Cleaning, League of Adventurists, from Bristol, UK.