RacingThePlanet | 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series

Race CALENDAR

The 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series is widely recognised as the most PRESTIGIOUS FOOTRACE series in the world

The series consists of the Namib Race (Namibia), Gobi March (Mongolia), Atacama Crossing (Chile) and The Last Desert (Antarctica). Competitors in the races traverse 250 kilometers in seven days over rough country terrain with only a place in a tent and water provided. They are supported by highly qualified staff, all with experience in hiking, marathons and ultramarathons, and medical teams specialising in wilderness medicine.

Featured Video

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Headlines

27 Jan 26 Zoom Info Session: The Road to Antarctica, 1 Feb at 7PM (London)
Rob James, 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Champion, walks you through preparing for The Last Desert / Antarctica Ultramarathon starting with the mandatory Equipment List. This is Part 1 of a three-part series. Join us at 7pm (London time) / 2pm (New York) / 6am (Sydney)
26 Jan 26 Get Race-Ready with Kristina Huffman (Part 2 of 4)
On Saturday, 7 February at 11am PST, we’ll hold the second session in our four‑part series on preparing for a RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts Ultramarathon, with a particular focus on the Gobi March / UltraLite (Mongolia). Kristina Huffman, a 4 Deserts Club member who has completed five RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts Ultramarathons, will lead the session. Register here.
26 Jan 26 Zoom Recording: Everything about the Gobi March and UltraLite in Mongolia
Listen to a recent zoom recording on “Everything About the Gobi March / UltraLite (Mongolia).” This session covered all aspects of the Gobi March / UltraLite (Mongolia)—travel, the expected course, weather, a typical day, and more.
19 Jan 26 Monthly Training Calls!
We have organized a series of training calls hosted by 4 Deserts Club member and personal trainer Kristina Huffman. You can join one or all of the calls. While they are designed with the Gobi March and UltraLite (Mongolia) in mind, you’ll find the content valuable for any race — or even if you’re simply thinking about taking on a future event. The next one is 7 February at 11am PST. Register here.
23 Dec 25 The Namib Race returns in 2026
Join us in Namibia—Africa’s most awe‑inspiring country—for the Namib Race in the world’s oldest desert beginning 16 August.
15 Dec 25 Zoom Recording: Everything to Know About Racing in Antarctica

Listen to the recording of our Zoom Info Session now on YouTube to gain all the insights into racing in Antarctica.
29 Oct 25 Next Race: Gobi March in Mongolia
The next race, the Gobi March in Mongolia, marks the 20th edition of this historic ultramarathon. Rural Mongolia is a land of dramatic contrasts—vast steppes, towering mountains, arid deserts, and lush forests—all shaped by centuries of nomadic tradition. The Gobi March begins on 21 June 2026.
04 Oct 25 RacingThePlanet: Greece has Concluded
Vicki Connelly of the United Kingdom and Hiroyuki Matsuda of Japan have won! Congratulations to all the competitors who participated in the 15th Edition of the RacingThePlanet Ultramarathon including those in the new UltraLite division.
15 Sep 25 About the Field of Competitors
Explore the stats, key facts, inspiring stories, and top contenders at RacingThePlanet: Greece, kicking off on 28 September.
09 Sep 25 National Geographic names Namib Race as Best Adventure
National Geographic names Namib Race in list of 23 best adventures for thrill-seekers.

Photos

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Post Race - Reflections

It has been a little more than one week since we crossed the finish line on the beach in Swakopmu...

Namib Race (Namibia) 2024

Time to look back

A month after returning, I find myself reflecting on what was truly one of the most incredible ra...

The Last Desert (Antarctica) 2024

THE LAST BIG ONE

Yesterday, the rest day, was the best preparation for the last big (...

Gobi March (Mongolia) 2025

My Road to the Namib Race

I knew very little about ultra running - and even less about multi-d...

Namib Race (Namibia) 2026

TRAINING

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Training Plans

We have created generic six-month training plans which you can download. Choose from Beginner, Intermediate or Advanced.

Richard Behringer (Advice to Get Started)

Richard, from the United States, is a 4 Deserts Club member who provides detailed advice to the RacingThePlanet community on a voluntary basis acquired from his experiences competing in the four different RacingThePlanet races to get you to the finish line.

Jeremy Inabnit

Jeremy is a Certified Personal Trainer with the National Academy of Sports & Medicine (NASM) and a Certified Ultrarunning Coach with United Endurance Sports Coaching Academy (UESCA). Jeremy was first in his age group at the Atacama Crossing 2023.

Tania Carmona

My coaching approach is designed for runners of all levels who want to build strength, improve endurance, and run efficiently. I place a strong emphasis on strength training, ensuring that my athletes develop the resilience needed to prevent injuries and enhance performance.

Kristina Huffman

Kristina is a UESCA Certified Ultra Running coach and UESCA Certified Running coach as well as RRCA Level I Certified Running coach.

Hannah Walsh (Women Only)

Hannah helps (extra)ordinary women train for their dream ultramarathon. Breaking 250 is her flagship female-only training programme and community. It is a unique blend of one-to-one coaching and peer-supported mentoring to the start line of your biggest adventure yet. Hannah's inaugural Breaking 250 cohort trained for Lapland 2022, then Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2023 and now Greece 2025.

Hannah Alexander (Nutritionist)

Hannah Alexander is a qualified nutritionist (Bachelor’s of Applied Science – Human Nutrition) with experience in endurance nutrition. She has recently worked with professional ultrarunner Scotty Hawker on his nutrition and hydration plan for his first place finish at Atacama Crossing 2023, as well as another athlete who placed 2nd in another multi-day stage race.

Zandy Mangold

Zandy grew up amongst the roots and rocks of rural New Hampshire, but has lived in Brooklyn, NY since 2001. After graduating from Connecticut College where he earned Academic All-American honors in cross-country, he embarked on a career as a photojournalist, and it was actually a photography assignment for RacingThePlanet that introduced him to ultrarunning. Zandy was Overall Champion at the Atacama Crossing 2017.

Roberto Rivola

Roberto grew up in the canton of Ticino, Switzerland, spent his professional life in the various language regions of Switzerland and settled in the Engadine area in 2013. He has participated in numerous events and knows the trails of the Swiss alps well. Roberto has completed the Sahara Race 2018, and was 1st in his age group at Atacama Crossing 2023.

Jeff Ross

Jeff originates from Scotland, UK, and has been living in Malaysia since 2011. Jeff is a Certified Fitness Instructor and a Certified Revolution Running Coach.

Scotty Hawker

Scotty Hawker is a professional trail and ultramarathon runner based in Christchurch, New Zealand. Scotty won first place at the Atacama Crossing 2023. Scotty has been training, racing and travelling around the world since 2014 throughout Europe, Asia and South America. He's finished in 3rd place at the UTMB, and 2nd place in the CCC, two of the most competitive ultramarathons in the world.