The Gobi March (China) is part of the 4 Deserts series which was again named by TIME magazine in 2010 as the #1 footrace in the world, and as one of the world’s top 10 endurance events.

The Gobi March (China) 2010 is the seventh edition -- the inaugural Gobi March (China) was held in 2003 and was the first ever 4 Deserts event.

Temperatures for the Gobi March (China) can vary greatly – in 2010 average temperatures will be about 10°C / 50°F on the early part of the course and 35-40°C / 95-104°F on the later stages.

The highest temperature ever recorded at a 4 Deserts event was at the Gobi March (China) 2005 when the event was held in the same region - the temperatures reached 50°C / 122°F on Stage 5.

The terrain will be a mixture of dry rocky river-beds, dusty tracks and sand dunes - roughly 20% of competitors will run the entire course, 60% combine running with walking, and 20% will walk the entire course.

The Turpan Basin, where the Gobi March (China) 2010 takes place, is China's lowest point of land on earth (and the second the world, the first is the Dead Sea) , the hottest place in China and the most distant point from an ocean in the world.

The fastest completion time is expected to around 25 hours and the slowest around 80 hours.

The average backpack will weigh 8-9 kilograms / 20 pounds.

Thirty (30) countries are being represented in the Gobi March (China) 2010 with approximately 1/3 from North America, 1/3 from Asia and 1/3 from Europe. Some countries represented include Afghanistan, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Bangladesh, China, France, Hong Kong, India and the State of Alaska in the United States.

A record 65 competitors are resident in Greater China and there is also strong representation from the United Kingdom and United States.

There will be eleven different media companies at the event covering the Gobi March (China) 2010 with seven of them from China.

More than forty (40) charities will be supported through the Gobi March (China) 2010.

The average age of the competitors for the Gobi March (China) 2010 is 39.

The youngest competitors in the Gobi March (China) 2010 are Emma Fergusson from United Kingdom and Shuhan He from the United States. Both are 22 years of age.

The oldest competitor is 61 year-old Kumi Murakami who is a swimming instructor from Japan.

Approximately 20% of the competitors are female and 80% are male.

There is only one team competing in the Gobi March (China) 2010, which is Team Esquel from China.

A full medical team will be working at the race. In addition to treating competitors, the medical team will also be conducting medical research on blister prevention.

During the Gobi March (China) 2010, competitors, volunteers and staff will consume more than 16,000 liters of water over the seven days of the event. Coca Cola will be providing the water for the event.

RacingThePlanet will be using brand-new tents for Gobi March (China) 2010, that have been made locally in Xinjiang.

Mountain Hardwear is providing the apparel for the event and sponsoring four competitors from China.

Intel ruggedized laptops will be used in the Cybertent at each Camp where competitors can send and receive emails and update their blogs.

Competitors will be required to pass through up to 30 checkpoints throughout the seven-day event.