The 155-mile cross country race began like any other, but it was at mile 20 that Leonard received company in the form of a stray dog. The homeless pup completed the 22-mile stretch with the runners, and shortly after decided it was Leonard's heart she wanted to win over.

Imagine Dion's surprise when, the next day, the dog met him at the starting line. He told The Dodo: 

"On Day 2, I was at the start line for the race stage and she was standing next to me looking up at me. I thought to myself this little dog isn't going to last very long at my side as we raced off, but she ended up running the whole day and 23 miles distance."

At the end of that day, the dog still refused to leave Leonard's side, which is why he affectionately named her Gobi.