RacingThePlanet

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RacingThePlanet is a company that runs tough, self-supported endurance races in remote places, and it also sells outdoor gear. It was founded in 2002 in Hong Kong by Mary K. Gadams. The company runs two main race formats: the four-desert Ultramarathon Series and the RacingThePlanet Ultramarathon, also known as the roving race. It also operates an outdoor store.

What RacingThePlanet does
- 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series: four 250-kilometre races held in different deserts around the world. The events are: Atacama Crossing (Chile), Gobi March (Mongolia/China), Namib Race (Namibia; formerly the Sahara Race in Egypt/Jordan), and The Last Desert (Antarctica). Runners camp each night, carry all their own food and gear, and race through challenging, off-trail terrain. Finishing earns a medal, with no prize money.
- RacingThePlanet Ultramarathon: a roving, or “roving race,” that moves to a new location each year but follows a similar format to the 4 Deserts races.
- 100-kilometer races: additional long-distance events offered by the company.
- The Outdoor Store: an online shop launched in 2009 that sells outdoor apparel, equipment, footwear, and nutrition. It grew to become a large online outdoor gear retailer in Asia, with distribution in Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

History and growth in brief
- 2002: RacingThePlanet is founded in Hong Kong.
- 2003: The first 4 Deserts race—Gobi March in China.
- 2004–2007: The other desert races debut (Atacama Crossing in Chile, Sahara Race in Egypt, The Last Desert in Antarctica). The roving RacingThePlanet Ultramarathon also begins to appear.
- 2007: The company becomes a case study for Harvard Business School.
- 2008–2009: The Outdoor Store is launched, expanding into online gear and nutrition. The 4 Deserts races gain global attention, with TIME magazine recognizing the series as a leading endurance event.
- 2010–2011: The company adds a 100-km race format and expands roving events to new locations. In 2011, the Kimberley Ultramarathon in Western Australia faced a serious bushfire incident that led to an official inquiry.
- 2012–2015: The roving races continued in places like Jordan, Iceland, Madagascar, Ecuador, Sri Lanka, Patagonia, and New Zealand. The 4 Deserts series continued to grow in reputation and scope.
- 2016–2020: The Gobi March moves to Mongolia; the Sahara Race is relocated to Namibia and renamed the Namib Race; new champions and milestones are noted for both the 4 Deserts and RacingThePlanet events. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 postponed all races to 2021.
- By 2020, RacingThePlanet had organized dozens of races and built a global network, with a Hong Kong headquarters, a UK distribution center, and country managers around the world.

What the races are like
- Length and format: events run over about seven days, totaling roughly 250 kilometres, with competitors carrying all their own food, water, and gear. They move from campsite to campsite, with medical support and some communication tools available at the camps.
- Rules and prizes: there are no cash prizes; finishers receive medals. The focus is on personal achievement, endurance, and teamwork in a demanding environment.
- Access and participation: events attract competitors from many countries, all drawn by the challenge and the experience of remote, culturally rich landscapes.

Charitable work
- RacingThePlanet supports charitable causes at many events, often aiding local communities near the race routes.
- The company has a long-running partnership with Operation Smile, raising substantial funds for surgeries and care in multiple countries.
- They have funded education and community projects in areas where races take place, including scholarships and donations to schools and other efforts.

Notable moments and records
- The Kimberley Ultramarathon incident in 2011 highlighted safety concerns and led to government inquiries about race planning and safety procedures. The inquiries resulted in findings about safety practices and communications, but did not assign full legal blame to the organizers.
- The 4 Deserts Grand Slam and the 4 Deserts Grand Slam Plus are ambitious goals for runners who complete all four desert races (and, in the Plus version, also complete the RacingThePlanet Ultramarathon in the same year). As of recent years, several athletes have achieved these feats.

Current status
- RacingThePlanet continues to run events in different deserts and remote regions, maintaining a community of endurance athletes who test their limits in some of the world’s harshest terrains.
- The organization emphasizes self-reliance, environmental respect, and the personal growth that comes from completing challenging journeys.

Official information
- For more details, athletes and prospective participants typically refer to RacingThePlanet’s official channels and the 4 Deserts brand information.