The final frontier – Antarctica – plays host to the Last Desert race which begins on the 18th November and finishes on the 29th November. It is a 6-stager, covering 250 kilometres and is semi self-supported.
Racers need to take what they require for the day’s racing but have a base back on ship at night.
Conditions are very challenging – low temperatures and ice and snow.
This race is only open to those who have completed at least two of the 4 Deserts Race Series events. They include the Gobi March in China, the Atacama Crossing in Chile and the Sahara Race which currently takes place in Namibia.
The Last Desert is the only multi-day stage race on the Antarctic continent and begins in Ushuaia in Argentina. It has to be one of the most exciting races on the calendar with competitors travelling by ship across the famous Drake Passage to several locations in Antarctica and outlying islands to run.
The expedition ship is the MV Plancius. This will be the runner’s transportation to the Antarctic Continent and their “camp” before and after each stage of the race. Good news is that there will be hot showers and a restaurant!
If you are lucky enough to be doing this race then it is likely you will see glaciers, seals, whales and penguin rookeries. DEFINITELY one for the bucket list.
