Cindy Drinnan from the United Kingdom describes herself as a bit of a scientist, bit of a runner, bit of a traveller and serial RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts volunteer and occasional competitor. Her RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts adventures started more than 14 years ago(!) when she completed the Gobi March (China) 2007 as a competitor. Since then, she has volunteered eight times and also completed RacingThePlanet: Patagonia 2017 as competitor. Cindy looks forward to joining the team once again in Lapland. When she is not running or volunteering at 4 Deserts races, Cindy is a quality insurance officer for Intelligent Fingerprinting.
Mikko KOHONEN
QA Engineer
Finland
Finland’s Mikko Kohonen joined us as competitor at the Sahara Race (Jordan) 2014 in 5th place and the Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2015 in 4th place. This is the first time of him to be our volunteer at RacingThePlanet: Lapland 2022.
Kunavathy RAJANDRAN
PROJECT MANAGER
Malaysia
Kuna Rajandran loves the outdoors, travelling, reading and photography. She is from Malaysia and works as a Project Manager for an insurance company. She volunteered for the Gobi March (China) 2017 and 2018, and absolutely fell in love with the team and the sport, and we look forward to welcoming her back on the volunteer team for her third time in Lapland.
Yu ching LEUNG
RF Engineer
Hong Kong
When it comes to communication systems, Philip Leung is unarguably your man! Philip first discovered the RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series when he was hired as a radio frequency engineer for the Gobi March in 2013. Since then, he has joined us at RacingThePlanet: Iceland 2013, Madagascar 2014, Sri Lanka 2016, the Gobi March (China) 2016, RacingThePlanet: Patagonia 2017, RacingThePlanet: Georgia 2021 and FINALLY as a competitor at the Gobi March (China) 2017 - simultaneously ensuring that communications run smoothly and keeping us entertained with his amazing Rubik's Cube skills. A native of Hong Kong, Philip earned his Bachelor of Science in electronic engineering and is an experienced problem solver. He is also now an endurance athlete, having begun running and ultra-racing since his exposure to the sport at the Gobi March. He has since completed numerous events in Hong Kong. We look forward to seeing Philip return as a member of the volunteer team to RacingThePlanet: Lapland 2022.
Tomasz GDAWIEC
Marketing Entrepreneur
Poland
Tomek Gdawiec is a sports and outdoor enthusiast and an entrepreneur from Poland running a few small businesses such as a marketing and communication consultancy, digital content production house and desert travel agency in Warsaw. He is an experienced desert explorer who enjoys videography and photography. Tomek joined us on the volunteer team in Georgia in 2021 and Namib Race 2021, we are delighted to have him join us again in Lapland.
Donna WILSON
Accounts manager
England, Resident in United Kingdom
Donna Wilson served in the British Army for three years, in the Royal Signal Corp, before becoming a mother to her two children. She since re-trained as a book-keeper and is now an accounts manager in her home country of the United Kingdom. She worked in a volunteer team at the Atacama Crossing 2017 and Gobi March 2018. RacingThePlanet: Lapland 2022 is Donna's third experience at a 4 Deserts Race.
Jen ZONAR
Finance
United States
Jen Zonar grew up in Virginia Beach but has considered Knoxville her home since 2002. She has always worked very hard but now she is realizing the importance of playing hard as well, and as a result she'll be taking a "sabbatical" from work starting in September to travel, relax, and enjoy time with family and friends. Prior to the break she was a finance professional and has worked in the boating industry her entire career. Before 2010 she was always healthy but not consistently active. A few friends suggested a couch to 5k program that culminated in a "color me rad" run and she has been active ever since. Her longest distance is a half marathon and she says she is excited to meet the folks that push themselves far beyond that! Jen previously volunteered with us at the Atacama Crossing 2019 and RacingThePlanet: Georgia 2021 and we are delighted to have her back on the team this year in Lapland.
Mark COX
Broker
United Kingdom, Resident in Hong Kong
Mark Cox, from Hong Kong, has participated in a number of Ultramarathons including the Gobi March (2012), the Namib Race (2019), and the Marathon des Sables. Mark has also done a number of mountain and cold weather expeditions including Haute Route, Mt Whitney, Mt Kenya & Kilimanjaro, and Copper River Alaska amongst others. Mark previously worked in safari camps in Botswana, teaching him valuable lessons in looking after people in the wilderness. We are delighted to welcome him to the team for RacingThePlanet: Lapland 2022.
Jaime BUE
Consultant
United States
Jaime Bue is a graduate student at Indiana University pursuing degrees in public affairs and Central Eurasian studies with a focus on bilateral investment treaties in Mongolia. She has spent time in China, Mongolia, and Kyrgyzstan. Jaime is joining us for her third race after volunteering at the Gobi March (China) 2017 and Gobi March (Mongolia) 2018.
Sandy (sanae) KONDO
Clerk
Japan
Sandy Kondo of Japan is a natural organizer with a flair for multi-tasking. She works for the South African Embassy while also overseeing the 4 Deserts office in Japan. Kind and generous, Sandy has assisted dozens of 4 Deserts and RacingThePlanet competitors in preparing for the races. One of our best-known cheerleaders, she has volunteered to support runners at six RacingThePlanet events before she joined them to race her own competing at RacingThePlanet Jordon in 2012, and also Madagascar in 2014. Sandy's also got a track record in event volunteering, having worked at the Comrades Marathon in South Africa, Tokyo Marathon in Japan and, most importantly, multiple 4 Deserts / RacingThePlanet events.
Monica ROSA
Emergency Department Registered Nurse
United States
Christopher BALSIROW
United States
Bernd NORDHAUSEN
Self Employed
Germany, Resident in Singapore
Bernt Nordhausen from Germany is no stranger to RacingThePlanet having successfully completed the Sahara Race in 2008, and volunteering at the inaugural RacingThePlanet Ultramarathon: Vietnam in 2008, as well as volunteering at the Nepal and Namib races.
Alayna BRUDEVOLD
Stay-at-home parent and Part-time Public Health Coordinator
United States
Kiley ROSENBERG
Director of Sales
United States
Katri TYNKKYNEN
communicationspecialist, wilderness guide student
Finland
Tash FANSHAWE
United Kingdom
Natasha Fanshawe set up her own company Light Style Space, as a declutterer, where she helps people to get rid of unwanted stuff. She run a sustainability network And The Future with a friend. She also works on events when help is needed. If the event involves food or an adventure, she is there, and she thinks RacingThePlanet fulfills the latter.
Amongst other job projects, Natasha has worked for the Olympic Committee in preparation for the London 2012 Olympics. She has also volunteered at previous events in the 4 Deserts/Roving Race Series at the Atacama Crossing 2011, RacingThePlanet: Iceland 2013, Ecuador 2015 and Patagonia 2017, Gobi March (Mongolia) 2019.
Natasha calls herself a RacingThePlanet junky, stating that participating in the races is a life addiction. She previously finished RacingThePlanet: Jordan 2012 and Sahara Race 2016. She is working herself up to racing in another event. Until then, we' re thrilled to have her return as a volunteer at RacingThePlanet: Lapland 2022.
Elena GóMEZ
Student
Spain
Cara KNIGHT
Teacher
United States
Carl-mikael TåG
Finland
Anand SWAROOP
Retired Colonel from Indian Army
India
Natalia GAWRON
student
Poland
Suvi LAHTINEN
Nurse
Finland
Amelia HENNING
Director of Photography
South Africa
Amelia Henning from Cape Town in South Africa completed the Namib Race in 2021 as a racer. She is not a natural athlete but dedicated 10 months to become fit and tough enough to conquer the desert. "The race changed my life radically in every way possible and I would love to stay part of this awesomeness . I want to give back the love and support I recieved from the volunteers". Amelia is a director of photography and has worked on some impressive films with great accolades. Alongside volunteering at the Namib Race 2022 she will be filming the race specifically covering the journey of one of the Grand Slammers - an old school friend who she re-united with through RacingThePlanet.
Amelia is fit, funny, super positive, loves nature and can't wait to support others to complete the race.
Janka DOLEZAL
Lifecoach
Germany
Janka Dolezal from Cologne in Germany is a life coach who helps people to heal their childhood trauma and live a prosperous life. RacingThePlanet: Lapland 2022 is her second experience of a RacingThePlanet Ultra but she is not a novice at supporting ultramarathons all over the world. She has supported her boyfriend, Ivan, in Transgrancanaria, Bluetrail, Vulcano, Ultracostarica, Island ultra. She is full of energy, funny, positive, strong, supportive and not afraid of work.
Edith GONZALEZ
freelance owner
Mexico
Edith Gonzalez of Mexico has such a plethora of sports and expedition experience that it's difficult to determine where to begin to highlighting her achievements. Her expeditions have taken her around the globe, to Tanzania, Switzerland, USA, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Amsterdam, Mexico, Canada and more. Amongst the sports in which she takes part are marathons, ultramarathons, trail running, mountaineering, mountain biking and climbing. Edith is a personal trainer and fitness instructor with many associated qualifications. Outside of sport, this impressive all-rounder has experience in macroeconomic and public financial analysis. She has a Masters Degree in Investment Projects and Economy Degree from Universidad Tecnologica de Mexico. Currently a partner and owner in her own company that unites families with nature, she will soon be focusing new work projects in Pakistan, Nepal and Tibet, teaching people to safely perform adventure sports while challenging personal limits and taking care of the environment. Edith arrives at her fifth 4 Deserts Race Series event having volunteered at the Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2015, Gobi March (China) 2016, Sahara Race (Namibia) 2017 and RacingThePlanet: Patagonia 2017.
Erlend RINGEL
Estonia, Resident in Finland
Heikki PELTONEN
Engineering
Finland
Karri NISKALA
Student
Finland
Janne AHOLA
Real estate agent
Finland
Bo EDENFäLL
Projectmanager
Sweden
Bo Edenfäll from Stockholm in Sweden is an experienced traveler and accomplished runner. He has been to six of the seven continents with only Antarctica left. From a running perspective, Bo has run 96 marathons around the world and some ultra-races. As you can see from his long list of races - he doesn't choose the easy ones close to home. Some of the races that Bo has completed include the New York City Marathon (ten times!), Sydney Marathon, Kilimanjaro Marathon, the Marathon des Sables, Two Oceans, Atacama Crossing 2014, Gobi March 2015 and Sahara Race (Namibia) 2016. Bo previously owned an electrical installation company with 25 employees along with his brother and was CEO of the company, they sold the company in 2013 and he currently works as a project manager. With so much experience as a runner, we are delighted to welcome Bo to the volunteer for the sixth time at the RacingThePlanet: Lapland 2022 where he will be on the course team. He has previously been a volunteer at the Atacama Crossing 2016, the Gobi March 2017, Sahara Race (Namibia) 2018, Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2018 and the Namib Race 2019, where he was a huge support to the field of competitors.
Juha HEMMILä
Border Guard
Finland
Ju JU
student
Korea (South)
Gigi KILADZE
Georgia
Bogdan MALIAGIN
Taxi driver
Finland
Arto JAUHIAINEN
Outdoor Guide
Finland
Zaza IAKOBIDZE
Georgia
Timo VEIJALAINEN
Photographer/trail planner
Finland
Timo Veijalainen is a local from the Pallas area where RacingThePlanet: Lapland takes place. A man of many talents, he is a professional photographer, an arctic guide and a trail designer.
Timo has advised on the course design for this race. An extremely skilled mountain biker and an outdoor guide, he specialises in course safety during the race.
Tapio AERIKKALA
Managing director
Finland
Amanda DE KOCK
Payroll
South Africa
Marie-paule PIERSON
Mosaicist
France, Resident in United Kingdom
Markus LAAKSONEN
Finland
Nikolai PUUMALAINEN
Student
Finland
Jüri VAHTER
Estonia, Resident in Finland
Olli MäKELä
entrepreneur
Finland
Tiina PULLOLA
Senior Specialist
Finland
Tiina Pullola is a runner, traveler and senior veterinary officer from Helsinki, Finland. With a unique background in veterinary medicine and Masters in Law Degree from the University of Helsinki, Tiina now travels around the world partly acting as a running coach to her husband. She's traveled to Borneo, Hawaii and throughout Europe participating in endurance events, coaching and trekking. Tiina's many skills and abilities are easily applied to the 4 Deserts race setting. She is a language quadruple threat, speaking English, Finnish, Swedish and basic German. Tiina also brings knowledge of first aid, strong people skills, organizational ability and eagerness to work as a member of a team. She has previously volunteered with dog care activities and enjoys working out at the gym, doing indoor cycling and trekking. Tiina joined us on the volunteer team in the Atacama Crossing 2015, we are delighted to have her join us again in Lapland.
Tornike RAKVIASHVILI
Georgia
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