The five-day challenge saw the German athlete overcome hallucinations, 104 degree heat, to reach the Pacific.
German ultramarathoner Arda Saatçi concluded a grueling 604.6-kilometer run from Death Valley to the Pacific Ocean on Sunday, reaching the Santa Monica Pier after more than 123 hours of near-continuous movement.
The 28-year-old Red Bull athlete began his journey on May 5 at Badwater Basin, the lowest point in the United States. He finished the cross-state run on May 10 at 2:29 p.m., having completed the equivalent of more than 14 marathons in just over five days. The final distance exceeded original estimates by nearly five kilometers due to a course diversion necessitated by a landslide.
The athlete faced his most significant obstacle on the third day after 61 hours of movement. Hallucinations caused by extreme sleep deprivation forced a medical evaluation and a 90-minute rest period. Despite headwinds that slowed his pace significantly and 6,000 meters of total elevation gain, Saatçi navigated a route that included desert salt flats, backcountry trails, and historic Route 66.
Saatçi’s original goal was to complete the run in 96 hours, but he did not abandon the run when he was not able to meet that goal. He met his fans and his mother, on Mother’s Day, at the Santa Monica Pier after completing the course.
