4 Deserts Reaches an Astonishing 50 Races Milestone

News Release / 22.01.2016

Fourteen years and thirteen countries after its inception, the 4 Deserts Race Series is reaching an incredible milestone this June when it hosts its 50th 250-kilometer (155-mile) self-supported footrace.

Founded in 2002, the 4 Deserts organized its inaugural event in 2003 near the historic city of Dunhuang, China, where hundreds of locals arrived by motorbike, horse, foot and donkey to watch an international group of 40 competitors set off from its starting line. Aptly, the 50th race will return to the Gobi Desert, this time based outside the city of Hami in the Xinjiang Province of western China.

That first 4 Deserts race was won by American Charles Engle, with American Edmund Poynton and Taiwanese Kevin Lin rounding off the top three spots. Considered star ultra-marathoners in their respective countries, Engle and Lin would later team up to run through six countries and document their journey in the Matt Damon-produced documentary Running the Sahara. Since then, a number of notable runners, including Ryan Sandes of South Africa, Anne Marie Flammersfeld of Germany, Salameh Al Aqra of Jordan, 'Ultramarathon Man' Dean Karnazes of the United States, Lucy Marriott of the United Kingdom and Spanish Olympic marathoner Jose Manuel 'Chema' Martinez Fernandez, have also earned top spots in the series.

But perhaps the most significant attribute of the 4 Deserts - besides the many incredible athletic performances it's witnessed over the years - is its ability to attract athletes [and some self-described non-athletes] from around the globe and provide opportunities for them to challenge themselves in ways that are incredibly personal, meaningful and momentous. A large proportion of 4 Deserts competitors leave the races with more than finisher medals; many describe transformative experiences.

Hong Konger and 4 Deserts Club member Derek Kwik - another competitor in that first Gobi March in 2003 - describes the 4 Deserts as 'an opportunity to set an example [to] yourself, friends, family and greater community that anything is achievable with a good 'fight'. Everyone has this fight inside them but you need to be tested to the limits to bring that character to the surface.'

About his first race at the Gobi March in 2008, Canadian and 4 Deserts Club member Ashkan Mokhtari says, 'Preparing for the race and completing it created what I can best describe as a paradigm shift in my life. My focus since then has shifted to incorporating a daily routine where running and exercise take a good proportion of my free time [and] created a much healthier lifestyle for me. The impact on my mental and spiritual [self] has been significant as well.'

Agnes Cheng of Hong Kong echoes this sentiment of personal growth: 'I have found a lot more inner strength and patience.' Cheng first competed in the Gobi March 2013 and then returned for two more races at the Sahara Race 2014 and Gobi March 2015. She plans to do more events in the future.

This trend is not uncommon. On average, around 40% of competitors in every 4 Deserts race are returning competitors; many of whom are aiming to eventually complete all four races in the series.

To date more than 7500 individuals from 100 countries have competed in the 4 Deserts, supported by 1000 volunteers, 400 medical doctors and 3500 local staff. Like competitors, 40 percent of volunteers and physicians at each race are returning for their second event.

This is great news for Mary Gadams, the founder of the 4 Deserts, who says, 'I always wanted the race series to endure the test of time. I am most proud that we have made it to 50 races and by all the people's lives who have been changed in a positive way through the events.'

On deciding to organize the first Gobi March, Gadams says, 'I remember reading about the Gobi Desert in National Geographic magazine and being fascinated by its history including dinosaurs, the travelers along the silk road and the incredibly diverse landscapes and weather conditions.'

As an endurance racer with many impressive running, adventure racing and multisport finishes under her belt, Gadams saw a need for a global event series that captured the best aspects of all the events in which she had competed. Her vision was to create a series of events that would encourage people to push themselves beyond what they dreamt possible. From there, the beginnings of the 4 Deserts was born.

Today, in 2016, the 4 Deserts Race Series consists of the Gobi March (China), Atacama Crossing (Chile), Sahara Race (Namibia) and The Last Desert (Antarctica). Each of these races was established in the years following the first Gobi March, with locations chosen specifically for their qualities of being the windiest, driest, hottest and coldest deserts on earth. With the exception of the Sahara Race where political instability has, in the last few years, caused the race to change location from its home in Egypt, the hot races take place annually in their home countries. The race in the cold desert of Antarctica takes place every two years.

In 2008, a new Roving Race was created with the intention of providing an exciting new race opportunity set in a different location each year. In 2016, the Roving Race will see its ninth event in Sri Lanka. Previous editions have taken place in Vietnam, Namibia, Australia, Nepal, Jordan, Iceland, Madagascar and Ecuador.

Over the years, the races have grown with many positive benefits unrelated to the actual racing. The 4 Deserts has formed partnerships and friendships with multiple local partners and communities in the areas in which it races. Medina Hellil, the local manager for the Gobi March, who has worked with the race every year since 2003, says, 'the 4 Deserts has taught me to see my own country in a different way.'

Gadams also notes the fundraising and donations that are made each year to needed charities by both the 4 Deserts and its participants. 'We are very proud of all the money we have donated to charities, including Operation Smile, the Esquel-Y.L. Yang Education Foundation and many others, and so inspired by all the money that competitors have raised for charities, in the millions of dollars.'

She tells of one particularly special moment at the Gobi March 2007, held in Kashgar: 'We had raised enough money to sponsor an Operation Smile mission. The volunteers were visiting the hospital and one little Uyghur girl came in with her parents. She had such a bad facial deformity that she couldn't eat by herself; her mom would chew food for her daughter and then put it into her mouth. Operation Smile said her deformity was too bad for an operation and that she would likely die of malnutrition. With our donation and assistance, we got her into the World Care program which flew her to Shanghai for medical treatment. Operation Smile also arranged for her family to receive eggs and milk for six months.'To competitors, volunteers, management, local workers and other participants of the races, it is apparent that there are many things which contribute to the special and unique identity of the 4 Deserts. This makes the celebration of the 50th race even more special.

Samantha Fanshawe, CEO of the 4 Deserts, says that there are fun activities planned for the Gobi March this year. Before the race even begins, all competitors will receive a special edition training shirt. There are also celebrations planned for race week.Ultimately, the hope is for this 50th event to celebrate the growth and evolution of the series, the people it has brought together, the communities it has served and the purpose of the races: 'To take people to the most beautiful and unique places on earth before they disappear… first-hand, up-close and personal. To take people away from creature comforts and technology for one week with only what they carry on their back. For people to push themselves to their limits.'

So far, the 4 Deserts seems right on track. For Derek Kwik, 'the 4 Deserts has enriched my life beyond my expectations.' And for 4 Deserts Club member Tony Brammer: 'It’s hard to imagine a life without the anticipation of the next 4 Deserts event.'

For further information on the 4 Deserts Race Series, see www.4deserts.com or info@4deserts.com.

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