“In the 90’s I ran Chicago to Los Angeles (3,940km) as a team event on Highway 66 in the US! At the time ultra running was all about mileage and not about enjoying the scenery. I realized there was an opportunity for combining a run event with a cultural interest. And so in 1996 I started the Silk Route Race in China.” The sinewy wizened ex-runner exudes a certain amount of contagious passion and nostalgia as he talks about his key event “C’est la fête – it’s all about having fun and enjoying it.”