Team U.S. Army Watch member bios
Alex W. Blodgett
Alex has been actively competing in world-class endurance events for the past 15 years. A three-hour marathoner, Alex has gravitated to ultramarathons (1993 Knee Knackering, Vancouver, BC--30 miles, 8,000 vertical feet; 1994 Vermont 100), triathlons (1993 Ironman Canada), multi-sport endurance racing (1995 Eco-Challenge, Utah; 1996 Eco-Challenge, British Columbia), and mountain biking (1996 Alaska Iditasport, a 160-mile nonstop race on the Iditarod dog-sled trail). At the 1995 Eco-Challenge, Alex's Team U.S. Army Watch finished in 9 days and 1 hour--first among Canadian teams, seventh among North American teams, and 14th overall in a race in which only 21 of 52 teams finished. The team successfully returned to British Columbia for the 1996 Eco-Challenge as Team Salomon/Blackcomb Mountain, finishing 10th overall (top Canadian) in a race in which less than 20 percent of the original 75 teams finished. The team is scheduled to compete in Queensland, Australia, in the 1997 Eco-Challenge.

Alex's other passions include ice- and glacier-climbing, downhill and extreme skiing (1993 Saudain Couloir extreme race), and scuba diving. Alex and Laura, formerly of Vancouver, B.C., have four boys.

Chloe Lanther-David
Chloe has over 14 years of extensive experience in coaching, instructing, and programming. She has implemented several fitness programs across Canada, in Hawaii, and New Zealand. She has worked diligently since creating her consulting company and outdoor cross-training school to develop a reputation as a talented educator and trainer. She travels across British Columbia teaching workshops and certification courses to fitness instructors and personal trainers. She also presents innovative lectures and clinics focusing on sports-specific training techniques and physiological updates. She has guiding experience in ocean kayaking, trekking, whitewater rafting, glacier traverse, and skiing. Chloe has been a competitive athlete for over 20 years and still holds national junior records in swimming and cross-country running. Her present athletic focus is to compete in ultra-endurance events such as the Iditasport in Alaska, in which she won the women's division this year, and the Eco-Challenge adventure race being held in Australia. She will take part in smaller competitive events such as snowshoeing, skiing, and running.

Frank T. "Buddy" Gadams
Buddy Gadams has participated in the 1995 ESPN Extreme Games, the Marine Corps Marathon, and was a cross-country team captain and MVP in school. He says his biggest reason for wanting to participate in the Marathon des Sables is that it is a challenge that most people will never experience. He is the type of person who is constantly looking for the next challenge.

Mary K. Gadams
This will be Mary's fourth year racing in the Marathon des Sables, a race in which she has taken second place among women. Mary has competed in countless endurance events, including the Eco-Challenge, Himalaya 100, Western States 100, Boston Marathon, Iditasport, and Extreme Games.