Race Coverage

Race Coverage

RACE Coverage

The Last Desert Home

Running to the Ends of the Earth: The Last Desert in Antarctica

 “A journey to Antarctica is a rare, awe-inspiring quest that few ever undertake,” says Doha-based Dutchman Sandeep Singla. He is about to tackle The Last Desert ultramarathon on Earth’s most southern continent. This year, Sandeep is chasing RacingThePlanet’s 4 Deserts Grand Slam Plus, having already conquered races in Namibia, Mongolia, and Jordan’s special Ultramarathon. Finishing in Antarctica will be the crown jewel of his journey, with plans to wrap it all up in Chile in 2025.
 
“Running in Antarctica especially, with its harsh beauty and extreme environment, holds a deep significance,” Sandeep continues. “It’s not just about covering 250 kilometres; it’s about entering a space few will ever experience, where the wilderness forces you to be present, to connect with something far bigger than yourself.” Like many runners, his motivation for taking on this extraordinary race goes beyond the kilometres. “By completing this race, I’m aiming to fulfil a deeply personal mission that goes beyond endurance and distance. One of my core goals is to honour my daughter Zarouhi’s memory by embracing the resilience and dedication this challenge requires, turning every step into a tribute to her spirit. I want to show my children, Araizah and Ruhzmeir, that with heart and determination, there are no limits to what they can achieve.”
 
 
Unlike other RacingThePlanet ultramarathons, The Last Desert offers a unique setup. Instead of covering 250 kilometres across six stages and seven days, as well as sleeping in tents in different camps, participants in Antarctica sleep on a ship that serves as their base, and each day they’re taken by Zodiac boats to a new course onshore. There’s no fixed distance per day, as weather can change everything. “The winner is the one who runs the most distance each stage and then over the course of the week, or the one who reaches that 250-kilometer mark,” explains Mary Gadams, founder of the race series.
 
The circuit course design on Antarctica’s shores isn’t just a necessity; for Sandeep, it’s part of the race’s charm. “This, too, could become part of the journey – each circuit an invitation to dig deeper, to find resilience in repetition and rhythm, and to carry the strength you’ve built across continents into the heart of Antarctica.”
 
For Namibian runner Angela “Ange” Alchin, who participated in this year’s Gobi March and ‘Roving Race’ in Jordan, and who volunteered twice in the Namib Race, the prospect of racing in Antarctica is thrilling, if not a bit unnerving – something which will resonate with many runners. “I’m looking forward to the vast and unique landscape – it's an environment like no other.  However, the extreme cold is daunting. Coming from Namibia’s warm climate, I’ve never fully prepared for such low temperatures.” She is quite understandably feeling a mix of emotions ahead of such a distinct setting, “The unpredictability and endurance required for this race bring a mix of excitement and nerves. I’m also excited to meet new people and reconnect with friends from past RacingThePlanet races.” 
 
This sense of camaraderie is a major draw for Ange, as it is for many runners, “there is a big difference between taking on a challenge alone, versus with a team. It created bonds for life. The friendships you make at these races last a lifetime. I hope to be a source of encouragement to other runners from Namibia considering multi-stage races - it is a new concept to many here,” she adds. Ange also wants to keep pushing herself outside of her comfort zone so that “when future challenges arise, I hope I’ll always remember that I can achieve anything I set my mind to.”
 
As for Hong Kong’s Natalie Yiu, the allure of The Last Desert includes more than just the physical challenge. “I’m drawn by the wildlife – the penguins, whales, sea lions – and the adventure, like a modern-day version of Shackleton’s journey. Plus, the chance to stay on the M/V Plancius Expedition Ship adds to the experience.” Her goal goes beyond personal adventure as she is fundraising for Star Up Wonders, a Hong Kong-based organisation that supports youth with intellectual disabilities. “This race is a way to inspire others and make a difference through shared experiences,” she says.
 
Australian Salliann “Sal” Powell responds with an answer many sportspeople understand: “My goal is simple…to finish.” For her, the pull of The Last Desert race is multi-layered. “Antarctica, for most people, is a once in a lifetime experience, but for us, we will have an experience that is truly rare and unique. I am really looking forward to hopefully seeing penguins along the course. If I had to stop to let a penguin cross my path I would be squealing with delight.” She also has a competitive edge, aiming to be the first Australian to complete the 4 Deserts Grand Slam Plus, having raced in Namibia, the Gobi, and Jordan this year.
 
 
Then there’s Rob James from Hong Kong, a Welsh runner and a long time RacingThePlanet competitor. He began his journey in 2006 with the Gobi March in China – where he finished third - and has since competed across the world. Now, he is hoping to be “able to complete the 4 Deserts, a journey that started 18 years ago.” He also wants to prove a bigger point to himself and to others “that after so long since my last stage race, the much older body (and mind!) can still handle the experience in what will be a very different environment.” Rob is also mindful of his environmental impact, using only previously worn gear to minimize waste, and he is raising funds for RUN, a Hong Kong charity supporting vulnerable refugees.
 
Sustainability is also top of mind for the race organisers. “We’re providing very detailed instructions to all participants on special protocols for Antarctica,” Mary says. “This will include everything from vacuuming their clothing before they arrive to removing any particles from their shoes to understanding topical issues such as Avian flu, and, most importantly, how to respect and not upset the wildlife in Antarctica.”
 
Mary sums it up beautifully: “From the moment we meet in Ushuaia, Argentina, to sailing through the Beagle Channel, seeing whales in their natural habitat, spotting floating icebergs, and finally seeing Antarctica’s dramatic ice cliffs of glaciers and sounds of them calving, I can't think of a more deep, personal experience that makes one really appreciate the world. For me, and I am sure all the participants, getting to spend so much time outdoors each day and to truly experience Antarctica has to be one of the best aspects of the experience.”
 
For these runners, covering 250 kilometres on Antarctica’s snowy landscapes isn’t just a race; it’s a journey of resilience, connection, and discovery that will echo in their lives long after the finish line. To paraphrase Sir Ernest Shackleton, “Through endurance we conquer.”