An Edmonton woman is preparing to ride a semi-wild horse across Mongolia in one of the toughest races in the world.

Lynn Hamilton, 50, is one of 35 people taking part in the Mongol Derby, covering 1,000 kilometres over nine days next month.

Broken bones, amputations and wolf attacks are legitimate fears, Hamilton says. About 50 per cent of people who start the race end up dropping out.

Hamilton says it’s crucial to stay mentally strong.

"You just have to have the sheer grit to get on those horses and ride until you can't ride anymore and just keep going no matter what," she said.

Hamilton is riding to raise $10,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Two of her children have the disease.

If she wins, Hamilton would be first Canadian and woman to come in first place.