By Marielle Rodeheffer

Walking 93 miles (150 kilometers) on foot, through changing climates and rugged terrain, is not how most people would want to spend their summer vacations. But Christian Godfroy and six of his colleagues at Rockwell Collins in Blagnac, France, did exactly that.

Employees from Rockwell Collins France participated recently in one of the world's largest cross-country races. Pictured in Xian, China, (from left) are: Laurence Arnault, Marie-Christine Batistan, Gérard Oliva, Christian Godfroy, Christophe Marco, Jean-Daniel Hatem and Stephane Dupuy.
Photo courtesy of Christian Godfroy, Blagnac, France

Dubbed "Marcher-Courir Oxygène Attitude," the team entered "The Silk Road Race" – one of the biggest cross-country races in the world – and spent 15 days in August racing through an ever-changing landscape that began in Xi'an, China, and ended in Beijing.

"We got a view of China that was very different than the one we see on TV or in the media," said Godfroy, a senior systems engineer who joined our company in December of 1989. "The landscape was very beautiful … maybe the most beautiful we've ever seen."

Creating interest

Sponsored by several organizations including Eurocopter – one of our company's key customers – and organized by the Sport Development and Performance Organization of France, the race takes runners on a path inspired by the 2000-year-old Silk Road, a transcontinental trade route that linked the Roman Empire in the West with China in the East.

Participants in 'The Silk Road Race' climbed part of The Great Wall of China. The world's longest human-made structure, the Great Wall stretches over about 4,000 miles.
Photo courtesy of Christian Godfroy,
Blagnac, France

An avid runner, Godfroy decided about two years ago that he wanted to compete in a race unlike any of those in which he had previously participated. Six of his colleagues – Stephane Dupuy, Christophe Marco, Laurence Arnault, Marie-Christine Batistan, Gérard Oliva and Jean-Daniel Hatem – agreed.

"I wanted to plan something very exceptional," said Godfroy, who organized the running club at our facility in France about five years ago. "I thought China would be a good place to explore. Our company has locations there, and China is growing a lot economically. I wanted to learn more about it."

After seeing an advertisement for the race in one of his running magazines, Godfroy began creating interest among the 80-plus members of the running club. He also knew he had to secure a budget, which meant finding individuals and/or companies willing to sponsor the team.

"This race isn't one you could complete in an hour," said Godfroy, who spent 1-1/2 years looking for colleagues to assist with different aspects of the event such as logistics, physical and nutritional preparation, and financing. "It was a 15-day race in a foreign country, and that required a lot of planning."

Securing sponsorship

As an initiative that enhanced cultural diversity, health and wellness, and communication among our employees, members of the management team and staff council at Rockwell Collins France determined it was an event worthy of company involvement and funding.

In addition to company sponsorship, Godfroy also managed to secure funds from two local businesses, Crestey Energie Renouvelable and Airod Technologies, and the city of Blagnac.

"Finding sponsors was indeed the most difficult aspect of organizing the event," said Godfroy. "The remainder of the money needed that was not donated through our company or the sponsorships was raised by the race participants themselves."

Runners in 'The Silk Road Race' were able to see the meandering Yellow River, which is the second longest river in China and the sixth longest river in the world. The river is often referred to as 'the cradle of Chinese civilization.'
Photo courtesy of Christian Godfroy,
Blagnac, France

With sponsors finally in place, team members knew they had to begin preparing for the event physically. After three months of training and participation in local races around Toulouse, France, the seven team members set out for China.

Upon landing in Xi'an, the team was first introduced to colleagues Betty Zhang and Martin Lin, who work at Rockwell Collins in Beijing, China. Zhang helped organize the event, and Lin is managing director of Business Development for Rockwell Collins in China.

"We were honored to be able to host our colleagues from Rockwell Collins France and to assist with their discovery of our country," said Zhang. "As a Chinese resident and Rockwell Collins employee, I am proud that our country has generated such enthusiasm and interest among the world population."

Godfroy agreed. "We were very touched by the meeting with our Chinese colleagues," he said. "Cross-country racing is one way to create cultural exchanges and establish relationships, and we were fortunate to have this opportunity."

Taming the sand dunes

Divided into 11 stages of 2 to 13 miles each (3 to 20 kilometers), the race led runners through some of China's most beautiful landscapes. Each stage began with a ceremony of traditional Chinese dances and songs. And, each afternoon following completion of that day's stage, participants had the opportunity to visit some of China's most notable attractions.

The route traversed through Xi'an, where participants saw the Terracotta Warriors, which are a collection of 8,099 life-size Chinese terra cotta figures of warriors and horses. Participants also ran past the Forbidden City, which was the Chinese imperial palace from the mid-Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty, and they even ran a time trial along the Great Wall of China.

Godfroy's favorite but most difficult stage of the race took him through sand dunes rising almost 400 feet along Lake Qinghai, which is the most salted lake in China. Running at an altitude of nearly 10,500 feet in harsh weather conditions – including hail and strong winds that "burned your eyes" – it took Godfroy 3 hours and 35 minutes to complete the 13-mile race.

"From the top of the dunes, I could see the lake's fantastic colors," said Godfroy. "We ran up and down 20 dunes, and I was proud to have tamed the dunes and sand."

An award-winning finish

The team from Rockwell Collins France finished second in 'The Silk Road Race' across China. Pictured (from left) are: Rockwell Collins France Managing Director Jack Barbieux, Christian Godfroy, Betty Zhang of RC-China, Marie-Christine Batistan, Christophe Marco, Gérard Oliva, Jean-Daniel Hatem and Rockwell Collins China Business Development Director Martin Lin.
Photo courtesy of Christian Godfroy,
Blagnac, France

Rockwell Collins team "Marcher-Courir Oxygène Attitude" finished the race on Aug. 15 and claimed the second place trophy, which was presented during an awards ceremony in Beijing on Aug. 16.

Joining the team in Beijing were Zhang and Lin, Rockwell Collins France Managing Director Jack Barbieux, the chief executive office officer of Eurocopter China, and the Attaché of the French Embassy in Beijing.

"I am really proud of this team," said Barbieux. "After having set a common goal, they have demonstrated courage, passion, and teamwork. By pushing their frontiers, they have achieved both individual and collective goals, and fully illustrated the Rockwell Collins spirit."

– Marielle Rodeheffer is an intern in Enterprise Communications at Rockwell Collins. She is a recent graduate of Grand Valley State University (BS) in Allendale, Mich., and Ball State University (MA) in Muncie, Ind. Rockwell Collins China intern Kevin Liao also contributed to this article.