Ultra Marathon Runner Picks Up Stray Pup During 250 Mile Race, Their Friendship Will Totally Make Your Day.

marathon runner with dog who follows him

Dion Leonard is an Ultramarathon runner who recently competed in a 7 day 250-kilometer race through the wilderness of China. While on the second day of his incredible undertaking, Leonard met Gobi, a tiny pup who stayed with him step for step throughout the rest of the race.

He said: “Basically on day two she decided to run with me on one of the stages, which was around 25-30 kilometres over the Tian Shan mountain range.

_90608362_gobi2016_stage6-58
BBC

“She’d actually been with us the day before running through one of the largest sand dunes in China, so she was well-versed in running with all the competitors there, but on day two she decided to stick with me.

“She would run ahead of me and wait for me 20 or 30 metres down the road and then I’d have to catch up with her…she’s such a small dog but had a massive heart.

The duo quickly became buddies and Leonard knew he’d met a friend for life.

_90609240_gobibest
BBC

“There were times during the race when, you know I’m there to race and compete and I’m trying to do my best to win the race but we had to cross some really large rivers where I would have to carry her over them. I didn’t actually have the time to do it but I realised then that I had to take her with me and the bond was made.”

After the race was over, he was forced to leave Gobi at the finish line. But he just couldn’t bear leaving the little guy to his own fate.

_90608364_gobi2016_stage6-61
BBC

Soon after returning home to Edinburgh, Scotland, Leonard started a crowd fundign campaign to bring Gobi home. It would cost £5,000 pounds to pay for all the fees associated with adopting a pup internationally, but in a wonderful show of encouragement, the internet community helped him smash that goal, raising over £7,000 to bring Gobi home.

Leonard hopes to bring Gobi home by this coming Christmas… we hope he makes it in time!

Share and spread some smiles.

Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.