A 2020 Northwest High School graduate, Cody Poskin just competed in the Ultra Gobi 400-kilometer race in China.
According to the race’s website, ultragobiseries.com, Poskin was among 59 runners from 14 countries and he completed the race in first place in a time of 64:49.32. The race began at 9:30 p.m. Beijing time on Oct. 3. Jovica Spajic of Serbia was second in 68:20.38. Poskin was part of the global open participation list and one of three Americans in the race. Other participants were in categories called Gobi Dreamers and Four Great Generals. Those four Great Generals are from China.
Google AI tells us that the Gobi Desert is located in northern China and southern Mongolia. It is a large, cold desert and grassland region characterized by rocky plains and extreme temperature fluctuations, playing a significant role in the history of the Mongol Empire and the Silk Road. That was the famous trading route during the Han Dynasty in 200 BC.
After I talked to Poskin’s former cross country and track and field coach at Northwest, Ken Campbell, on Sunday, I began digging into the internet to see what I could find out about this fascinating race of mental and physical endurance. During his senior year with the Lions, Poskin qualified for state in cross country but saw his prep career end the next spring when COVID 19 shut down prep sports in the state.
Campbell called Poskin a professional ultra runner, as he’s participated in similar races in the US and abroad.
“He’s a person who likes to see challenges and likes to accomplish things people don’t think he can do,” Campbell said. “He’s become a social media celebrity because he’s so funny and interesting. He’s got tons of followers.”
Poskin uses YouTube and Instagram to broadcast his competitions, which are more personal journeys of self-exploration, I’d think. What I mean is traveling to these exotic destinations and absorbing so much diversity must be enriching far beyond completing a race few dare attempt.
I was immediately curious about whether or not racing through a desert was dangerous.
“Tremendously dangerous,” Campbell said.
Runners used GPS to guide them to each of the 35 checkpoints. Along the way, they could encounter wild animals. And the desert isn’t just endless sand dunes. It’s described as a diverse landscape that includes rugged mountains, dry valleys, and expansive gravel plains.
To protect themselves from the elements and whatever they run into along the way, runners are required to have an extensive list of supplies. Besides their GPS tracker – drones follow runners on the course and can ID each one using the tracker – it’s mandatory each participant must carry at all times a backpack, hiking poles, hydration system, sleeping bag, headlamps, power bank, medical kit, food, two jackets, hat, cap, emergency whistle, flashing light, multi-tool, gloves and sunglasses. Then there was a long list of recommended equipment ranging from chop sticks to anti-chafing cream.
After high school, Poskin didn’t run in college but started running marathons and won the first one he competed in, Campbell said. He’s also taken part in a kayak race on the Missouri river that was 340 miles, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro where Campbell said Poskin almost died at the summit because his oxygen levels were so low. He’s hiked the Colorado trail and ran rim-to-rim at the Grand Canyon.
Poskin isn’t the first distance runner I’ve seen leave 3.1 miles behind for grander distances. His bib number for the Ultra Gobi was/is 236. Once assigned a number, the runner gets to keep it for life. Not to mention the feeling of pride that comes with proving you can compete and thrive in the harshest of environments.
Back in Cedar Hill, Campbell’s Lions have won two meets this year and have two brother combinations – Judges and Browns – leading the way. Northwest won the Frank Schultz Invitational in Hillsboro on Oct. 4 and are preparing for the Class 5 District 1 meet in Cape Girardeau on Nov. 1.
“We’re a hell of a team and are having a lot of fun and it’s been a great year,” Campbell said.