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

22 Mar 23 Namib Race Teaser
Be inspired by the scenery, terrain, determination and excitement of the Namib Race. Next edition is in April 2024.
13 Mar 23 Zoom Recording: Get ready for the Gobi March!
Watch the Zoom recording to help you arrive at the start line of the Gobi March well prepared. Listen to Gobi March Course Director Carlos Garcia and get all the tips for a successful race.
05 Mar 23 Watch Jeff Pelletier's 7-episode Series on the Special Edition of Georgia
Jeff has lanched a new series on his race at the Special Edition Georgia. If you enjoyed his series on the Namib Race you will also love this. You can now watch all 7 episodes on YouTube.
14 Feb 23 Top Tips on Stage Racing from Personal Trainers

Missed the zoom call? Go to our Youtube channel for first-hand accounts from three RacingThePlanet alumni, Hannah Walsh, Zandy Mangold and John Bezou, on what it takes to finish, to win or to achieve the 4 Deserts Grand Slam.
22 Jan 23 #MORETHANARACE Zoom Call
Listen to a recorded Zoom call for an inspirational talk about What Makes RacingThePlanet more than just running 250km across a desert!
07 Jan 23 RacingThePlanet Cafe
As part of our 20-year celebrations, a special cafe will be set up at each campsite offering tea and coffee each day to all participants at the races in 2023.
04 Jan 23 Make 2023 a year to remember
Joining a RacingThePlanet Ultramarathon is truly #MORETHANARACE. Find out what you are capable and make life long friends along the way. Choose from Gobi March (MONGOLIA), the Atacama Crossing (CHILE) or The 20-Year Race (JORDAN).
26 Dec 22 Happy New Year
Get ready for a great New Year. Have a look at this training plan to keep you motivated.
14 Dec 22 Inspired to do a race, but don't know where to start?
This feature summarises what is needed to get yourself ready for a RacingThePlanet Ultra including milestones to hit, an outline of a weekly training plan and how to get started.
05 Dec 22 Looking forward to 2023
Now that the final race of 2022 has concluded we are looking forward to the 2023. The first race is the Gobi March in Mongolia in June following the footsteps of Genghis Khan.

Photos

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First-hand from the field

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The last 2 stages and final stretch

I did it. I actually completed 250kms across Mongolia by foot. ...

Gobi March (Mongolia) 2019

From Somewhere in the Drake Passage

So, we are somewhere in the famous Drake p...

The Last Desert (Antarctica) 2022

Logistics

So well, I've never done a race like this before, so it's been quite a learning curve to prepare ...

Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2022

Excited to Meet Everyone!

This race has been a long time in the waiting. Since 2020 when I first embarked on the journey an...

Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2022

Time to Get Packed!!

One week from now we will be out on the course for Stage 1! Tuesday mornin...

Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2022

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!!