RacingThePlanet | 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series

Race CALENDAR

The 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series is widely recognized 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 specializing in wilderness medicine.

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Headlines

24 Sep 23 The 17th Edition of Atacama Crossing is Now LIVE
Follow the LIVE website coverage including GPS tracking as racers make their way across the lunar-like landscape of the Atacama Desert. Check out photos, videos, results and more..
28 Aug 23 Friends and Family Experience
At The Last Desert we provide a limited number of places to Friends & Family of both competitors and staff, giving them the opportunity to share this unique experience as we recognise that most people will only ever visit Antarctica once in their lifetime. Find out more.
22 Aug 23 How This 52-Year-Old Crushed His First Ultra, One of the Hardest Races in the World
Ken Rideout had never slept in a tent, run with a backpack, or been in a race longer than 26.2 miles — but when the 52-year-old heard about the grueling Gobi March ultramarathon, something told him he could win it.
16 Aug 23 Atacama Crossing 2023 - the stats, the facts and the top contenders
As we look forward to the 17^th edition of the Atacama Crossing which starts on 24 September 2023 let’s have a look at the field.
12 Aug 23 Watch the Recording of the RacingThePlanet Medical Team Q&A on ZOOM
You can watch the recording of the Zoom call with a panel of our Medical Doctors talking about the most common medical issues at the races and how to prevent and manage them, as well as a detailed Q&A section.
31 Jul 23 Applications for Volunteers in 2024
We are now accepting applications for volunteers at our races in 2024. With only a handful of places available, apply now for this exhausting but incredibly rewarding position. Find out more.
20 Jul 23 ZOOM, Sunday, 30 July: Get Ready for the Atacama Crossing
Whether you are planning for this year or a future year this Information Session will help you arrive at the start line well prepared. Join us on Sunday, 30 July, @4pm London / 5pm Europe (Germany) / @8am PST (San Francisco) / @11am EST (New York) / @11pm Hong Kong. Register Now!
04 Jul 23 Next Race: The Atacama Crossing in Chile begins on 24 September
The Atacama Crossing will take racers across the driest desert on Earth through salt flats, sand dunes and freezing cold slot canyons, all in the shadow of the Andes mountains.
26 Jun 23 Relive the Gobi March
The Gobi March (Mongolia) 2023 concluded last Saturday, 25 June. Check out all the videos, photos, blogs and more.
14 Jun 23 Sign Up to Receive Breaking News from the Gobi March
The Gobi March starts on 18 June. Sign up to receive Breaking News during each Stage of the race direct to your email.

Photos

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First-hand from the field

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Ready to Go!

I’m leaving for Chile in less than one week! I don’t know about you, but I have train...

Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2023

04. The Day Before Departure

I'm so excited, yet quite nervous. On one hand, I keep organizing my luggage, fearing I might for...

Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2023

Rumbo a Chile, empieza la aventura

Ya estoy en el aeropuerto con la maleta facturada, pasaporte en mano y mi mochila al lado ll...

Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2023

Why I Raced

Kuba Zwoliński (Poland)

Atacama was my dream for the last 10 years, and the whole race was amazing fun.

Ashley Burke (Australia)

These races fulfil both these passions during a week spent pushing boundaries in a new country every time. The races are meticulously organised and, regardless of which corner of the world they are held in, they follow a set and proven model, flawlessly executed. The staff are professional and the medical people are highly trained. Safety is maintained at a high standard without diminishing the adventurous nature of the activity. Great staff and volunteers cheer on competitors and offer every support and motivation.

Karen Wei (Canada)

How do I push myself... I just keep reminding myself that the finish line - for the day and for the week - will be worth it. And it always is. It's that simple. Getting to camp, cleaned up and fed, bitching and laughing with tent mates, is a guaranteed way to forget the pain of the day.

Avi Blaiberg (Israel)

Each race has its moments. Sometimes it's the view/scenery, sometimes it's personal moments of spiritual "high"… of full connection with nature, sometimes it's the people, and the best is the combination of all the above.

Linda Quirk (USA)

I keep coming back for more and more because I love the challenge, the adventure and most importantly I love the life-long friendships that I have been so fortunate to have developed. If it were not for RTP I would not have connected with my sister from another mother and continent … we met almost 10 years ago in the Sahara Desert. Many laughs have been had with Sandy and Colin Suckling, two of my most favorite people on this planet who I have had the great fortune of experiencing other RTP events and other adventures around the world with!!

Thomas Stordalen (Norway)

Atacama Crossing in 2016 really changed my life and to get back there and finish after my dropout in Namibia was one of the most emotional things I've been through in my whole life. I've been struggling with so many things in my life but in the Atacama Desert I left some ugly demons behind me. Today I'm the happiest man on the planet, I have my dream job and I'm running everyday. One day in the future my big dream is to do the Gobi March and that time will come in a couple of years. Thank you so much!

Louise Cooper (United States)

Thank you for an amazing race experience! I loved every minute. You always put on such a class event, and I was so thrilled to be a part of it. I came home with lots of warm fuzzies (and very chapped lips). I so appreciate the invitation and all the fuss you made of us. Being with some of those “real” runners was energizing and inspirational. Makes me want to do so much more!!