Stray dog joins stranger on 155 mile marathon, man now fighting to adopt dog

The dog, named Gobi, seemed to be attracted to Leonard's yellow gaiters.

"When she came into camp she followed me straight into my tent, laid down next to me and that was that – a bond had been developed," Leonard told race officials. "I didn't (adopt her), Gobi seemed to adopt me."

The dog stayed the night next to Leonard, letting out a growl if others got too close.

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Gobi quickly gained fame for her persistence. Race officials said she completed more legs of the 4Deserts Gobi March race than other dogs had previously. More than 100 people competed in the six-stage, seven-day foot race across the Tian Shan Mountains and the Black Gobi Desert.

Gobi completed four of the stages.

"There was something about the little dog in the Gobi that captivated everyone," race founder Mary Gadams said in a release. "Gobi really became the race's mascot – she embodied the same fighting spirit as the competitors."

At one point during the race, Leonard had to carry Gobi across a wide river, as well as try to compete. He was in third place at the time. He eventually finished in second.

After completing the race the decision was made to adopt Gobi and Leonard created a crowdfunding site to help raise the more than $6,500 needed to take the dog from China to Scotland, where he lives.

They have raised more than $15,000.

It will take about four months to get Gobi cleared and sent to Leonard.

Leonard set up social media accounts to give updates on Gobi, who is being taken care of in Urumqi, China, by a race organizer in the meantime.

Cox Media Group