Twenty-six riders ranging in age from 24 to 65 have confirmed their presence in the first-ever Mongol Derby, a wild 1,000-kilometre race across the Mongolian steppe, according to UB Post.

The article states that the event is inspired by the formidable postal system of the mighty Chinggis Khan. Riders will hop aboard new mounts every 40 kilometres. Riders are reported to include TV-adventurer Ben Fogle and former champion jockey Richard Dunwoody.

"The Mongol Derby is going to be the sort of experience that many people can only dream of, although the jockeys had better not underestimate how incredibly tough it’s going to be. Riding 1000 km is not for the faint of heart or weak of limb," Dunwoody was quoted as saying in the UB Post article.

The event will kick off in Chinggis Khan’s capital Kharkhorin on August 22.

Click here to read the article in its entirety.

(With files from UB Post)