National Writer's Series Presents: Dion Leonard, Finding Gobi

Runners, dog lovers, truly anyone who loves a miraculous story, are invited to hear ultra-marathon runners Dion and Lucja Leonard talk about the New York Times bestseller Finding Gobi. It’s an amazing account of how Dion crossed paths with a small, stray dog during a 155-mile race across the Gobi Desert in China. The lovable pup, who would later earn the name Gobi, went step for step with Dion over the Tian Shan Mountains and across massive dunes, keeping pace with her new friend for 77 miles.

As Dion witnessed the incredible determination and heart of the tiny dog, he found a sea change in his own heart, which had been repeatedly broken during a rough childhood. By the end of the race, he decided to bring Gobi home to Scotland to live with him and his wife, Lucja, who also competes in ultra-marathon races.

The only problem: Dion had entrusted someone to take care of Gobi in China while he organized the required medical tests and a quarantine to fly the dog home to Scotland. Gobi had inexplicably vanished in Urumqi, a sprawling Chinese city of three million people. What happens next is so unbelievable you truly couldn’t make it up — a twist that captured the world’s attention as the story exploded across international media and became a global sensation. Come along to hear how this extraordinary true story unfolds.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. ET with live music. Programming begins at 7:00 p.m.

Virtual Tickets

Can’t make it to the in-person event? Enjoy the event live or on-demand from home!

Each Virtual Ticket includes access to a private YouTube link beginning at 6:50 p.m. Virtual attendees may participate in the Q&A via moderated chat. You must be logged into YouTube via a Google account to chat, or email questions to marketing@nwstc.org.

You may also purchase the featured book for an additional fee. Horizon Books will ship anywhere in the continental U.S., with shipping costs applied at checkout. Signed books are not available for virtual ticket holders.