I believe we all need a calling for doing the work we do every day. It's not just about ticking off tasks, but finding a deeper purpose, something that adds meaning to our daily grind. If you can align your values with your work, success is bound to follow. In the ultramarathon world, we don’t wear big hats but we ware many hats. Creative problem-solving is a must.
Organising a multi-day race in a new country is like setting up a company branch overseas - a challenge that takes things to a whole new level. With my head deep down in the operations and a bursting inbox, I sometimes had to remind myself that the job was more than organising races – we needed to enable people to reach their dreams and become better versions of themselves. This becomes concrete whenever I watch people struggle and overcome themselves during the week in a race. At the finish line, we often share happy tears, which makes it more than a job. It’s work that demands a lot, but gives back even more.
Connecting the two worlds
Whether it's the laidback Chileans in the cozy town of San Pedro on the edge of the Atacama Desert, or the warm-hearted Malagasies in Diego Suarez, the charming historical port of the Indian Ocean in Northern Madagascar, the world’s far-flung, developing countries can teach us a lot. People have golden hearts and kind minds. They may or may not use computers or know about spreadsheets. And their concept of time is often more flexible. Yet their ways of working are equally valuable. Collaboration requires mutual respect and a truckload of patience, but that's what makes these projects so captivating. Amidst the hustle and bustle leading up to a race, cherishing these relationships is the only way to sail through it all.
On the other hand, many participants hail from more “developed” parts of the world – London, Dubai, Chicago, Beijing, you name it – seeking the experience of a lifetime. Many live their everyday between busy board rooms and fancy hotels, juggling a hectic family life. They come with high expectations, seeking profound lessons as two worlds intertwine. This is the process I enjoy “facilitating”.
Camaraderie, self-development and fresh perspective
It's inspiring to see how our races bring together people from all over the world, not just to challenge themselves and also support each other. Camaraderie develops and grows when you crowd into a tent with a bunch of fellow racers, a meal by the campfire in sunset, compare blisters, share tears and aches, exchange stories from the day. When you trot through the desert, you reflect on everyday lives spouses, children loved-ones you’ve their lost ones. Work and the things that did not work: divorce, death, drug addiction, bankruptcy. Many embark on this journey when they stand at a crossroads in life, seeking direction, inspiration, or the just strength to forge ahead. And the recipe for finding that strength? Well, it lies within oneself, surrounded by the infinity of nature and a simple, yet hard goal.
Connecting people
“We all have our challenges in life and you don’t know what the person you meet is up against. So be kind”.
First team from Afghanistan Connecting people from different backgrounds is very rewarding. In 2015, we witnessed history when the first team from Afghanistan joined us. Not just any team, but a team of women! RTP alumnus Stephanie Case founded Free to Run, an organisation that supports and empowers women through sports in less fortunate, often war-affected, regions. Supported by the organisation, two young Afghan women, embarked on their first-ever running adventure – an ultramarathon! Not just a race, but their first time abroad. Training under extreme and unsafe conditions, they faced countless challenges, but nothing could stop them. With limited resources, lack of proper gear, and zero experience of international travel, this journey was an eye-opener for all of us.
Just imagine their struggles before even getting to the race – ensuring their safety during training, dealing with passports and visas, managing a mountain paperwork! Let's not forget the gear; thanks to the generous donors, they received essential items like running shoes just in time for the race. Their experience made us realise how spoiled we are in our own comfortable lives. All the tips we give, "train as you plan to race" and "test your equipment and nutrition during training" seemed a bit out of place. Sometimes, you just have to jump into the unknown because you can.
Zainab and Nelofar, along with Stephanie, Belinda, and Virginie, formed an unbreakable team and conquered the Gobi March – a grueling 7-day, 250km stage race overcoming all that the Gobi Desert threw at them, including +50C temperatures. Witnessing these ladies achieve such a remarkable feat was nothing short of an honor.
I recommend watching this video by North Face video that shares the touching story of Free to Run
Inspiration
It’s not uncommon for a racer to want to withdraw. My colleague Sam had this discussion at a checkpoint with a man who had had enough: scorching heat, heavy backpack, blisters and nausea from exhaustion. He didn’t want to continue anymore. Half-way through the race, he took off his rucksack and quit. That’s it! Just wait for the checkpoint to close and catch a lift to the next camp. Then a blind racer showed up with his guide -covered in sweat with salt stripes on his face, looking very tired but still determined. He handed his bottles for a refill, unable to see the desert's beauty but grateful for the experience– just being where he was and able to experience the grandeur with senses other than sight. That moment sparked something in our withdrawn competitor. Once the blind man and his guide left, he got up, filled his bottles, grabbed a power bar, and with the cheers of the checkpoint crew, put on his rucksack and finished the stage – and then the full race.
More perspective
“90% of is mental and the rest is in your head”
This joke amongst ultra racers is quite true. Take for example Fung Kam Hung from Hong Kong, who lost his leg in a traffic accident. After going through shock and depression, he found inner strength and a whole new perspective on life. An avid hiker, Mr. Fung had apparently taken part in many hiking events in the mountainous trails of Hong Kong. He set a goal to complete all 4 Deserts races, starting with the Atacama Crossing in Chile (considered the toughest of them all). The year was 2014. I must admit, I wasn't entirely convinced. How could a man with a prosthetic leg conquer gullies, sand dunes, loose rocks, and cliffs? But hey, as long as he knew what he was up against and followed safety rules, it was his call. We were so inspired by his goal that as a race organisation, we of course offered him full support in preparation. Understand that these are self-supported events. Every racer must carry all their own food, personal equipment and water from checkpoints for the week of the race. Mr. Fung’s only requested that our medical team bring his spare prosthetic leg from camp to camp. Talk about determination!
The paperwork required for these stage races is not light. Medical forms, waivers, emergency contacts, doctor’s sign off. All because racers are up against something that is both physically and mentally very demanding. When Mr. Fung returned his medical form, it did not mention any medical issues. When I passed it to the race medical director, I couldn't help but smirk a little. “There no medical issues, just a missing leg.” It's funny how our perspective is fixated on what's "normal." But who defines normal anyway? A reality check for us, Mr. Fung completed all the 4 Deserts races, including the final one. in Antarctica, in 2018, with his wife and a trusty friend by his side.
Vladmi dos Santos, an athlete from Brazil has been a regular at RTP races. I really enjoy the positivity and spirit he brings to a race, not to mention the inspiration. Vladmi gradually lost his vision due to disease, and now he's totally blind. But his other senses and his determination are off the charts! In 2015, we staged the Gobi March race outside Hami, a town in Xinjiang province in the northwest of China. Never heard of Hami? Don’t feel bad. It’s rather hard to find. Racers worldwide bombarded me with questions about travel logistics, language barriers, and directions. But guess who didn't ask a single question? Vladmi. This guy is proactive. When he needs help, he's not afraid to ask. Still, imagine my surprise when I got a call from the reception staff at the Hami Hotel, saying that a man in the lobby wanted to see me. It was Vladmi, who had flown all the way from Brazil, navigated international airports, found his domestic flight in Beijing to get to Ürümqi, then took taxis to the crowded Ürümqi train station. Somehow finally finding his way to Hami, in the middle of nowhere, all on his own. Impressive, right? But no big deal for a blind Portuguese speaker from the other side of the world!
Vladmi told me that running across the desert terrain for a day is manageable, but having a new campsite to get used to after each stage can be exhausting for the brain. He prefers not to rely on a guide's help after the running is done, as he enjoys navigating on his own. A fairly fast runner, after finishing a stage and grabbing some recovery food, he usually heads straight to the finish line to cheer on other racers. Then he takes care of his feet and prepares for the next day, just like any other racer.
Vladmi guided by his team mate Erin at the Atacama desert.
Gabriella Mathisen. I met her in Namibia in 2021. She grew up in the middle of a welfare state in Norway but had a home of drugs and abuse. Her parents introduced her to drugs at a young age. She by her parents and was never taught to brush her teeth. Never got support in her homework. At school she was considered weird. At home she was often beaten up. She escaped in her early teens and lived at the streets. Prostitution and drugs were the way to cope.
Gabriella is blessed with a strong character. Despite the challenges, she refused to let her father drag her down. With a body full of scars and an amputated arm, she made a life-decision to find a different path. Now, she's a sober ultramarathon runner, using her strength to raise awareness for the unheard voices of society. For people who fight addiction, physical challenges and racing can be a way out. They exchange a destructive addition for a healthy one. Something that fills the hole in your life and keeps giving back.
Everyday obstacles
The above examples are a fraction of amazingness we get to see in sporting events. Many of us could push off from an easier starting line but, you know, the timing is never quite right. Andrea Andrews and Lusana Schutz, moms who managed to make it to the starting line in Patagonia with their little ones in tow. It's incredible what you can achieve with a bit of organization and the support of a lovely husband.
Most participants lead busy lives, juggling families, work, and social commitments. As an organiser, I see that the overall impact from participating in these events is greater on amateur athletes (as most of us are).
It's not just about the race, it's about the journey. By incorporating training into our everyday activities (hiking to work, taking the stairs instead of the lift) we can get fitter and gain structure and motivation in our lives. And before you know it, you've completed a race.
And if you simply can’t race, how about participating? It's a more accessible way to get involved, and the sense of accomplishment can be just as sweet. Focus on the next step, next checkpoint rather than a finish line. Whether it’s a decision on should I sign up, or something bigger in life, maybe just take that first step and don’t think too much. The rest will follow.
Will you learn more from a DNF?
As noted, not everyone finishes. That would be too easy. GI (stomach) issues, blisters, musculoskeletal injuries are the common reasons why people don’t finish ultramarathons. Realistic pacing is key. When people say they “run” ultramarathons, many actually walk, or combine walking and running. This is smart - you are more likely get to the final finish line. Depending on the temperature and terrain, generally 8-30% won't make it to the end. For most, it's been months, if not years, of preparation. The goal has been a long time coming. The Disappointment? It's huge!!!
These races are about competing against yourself. The more competitive you are, the harder the fall.
There have been many difficult discussions in the desert as the sun sets. A withdrawn racer wants a ride to the town, to head home as soon as possible. While some insist on this, others take the advice to stay, even if just for a day or two. That’s when they see that the race is about so much more than finishing. The entire group - racers, volunteers, and local staff from all over the world -- come together to support one another. Those who stick around end up supporting fellow racers, hanging out by the drum to cheer them on and lending a hand to the crew and volunteers. It's their way of dealing with their own disappointment, so it won’t haunt them later. By the time of time for the final party, many have a plan to come back and finish the race the next year. And let me tell you, when they finally get that medal, it means even more. A DNF can teach you so much more … if you let it.
I wanted to share these stories to show that the common thread amongst ultramarathon participants is WILL. You may be missing an appendage or have lost your vision but if you want it, you can succeed. The world of ultras has wisdom that resonates with other pursuit requiring grit and determination.
Thankfully, the working world seems to this better these days. When you are hiring a future employee, don’t worry about them being inefficient as they train. Look for will and determination, and you find the best people.
“Best things in life are not things”
A saying I very much like. The best things in my life have been the people I have met, other cultures I have gotten to know and special faraway places. The satisfaction of bringing two different worlds together.
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