The Plancius, basecamp for the 4Deserts race for 12 days. Racers would live on board and be shuttled to shore on Zodiacs each day.
RULES OF ENGAGEMENT Rankings were determined by the total distance completed. Distance was counted on cards racers attached to themselves, punched by volunteers on each lap. When a competitor hit 250 kilometers, they had officially completed the race and were ranked in order that they finished. While most didn’t complete the full distance, anyone who lasted through the entire 40-plus hours of continuous racing without dropping or violating rules were considered finishers. Ultimately, only eight of 61 competitors completed the full 250 kilometers. Men’s winner McCoy reached 250 kilometers halfway through Stage 5 and women’s winner Mariash—the only woman to complete the entire distance—finished halfway through Stage 6. At the finish, on Half Moon Island, competitors celebrated more than simply overcoming the challenges of running in Antarctica. But no one had more reason to celebrate than Canadian competitor Karen Meades, who was married to her fiancé and race volunteer, Nick Hasbani, by the Plancius’ Russian captain at the finish line with all of her 4Desert and Plancius friends in attendance. Some people might wonder why runners would choose to subject themselves to the hardships and discomfort of running in Antarctica. McCoy, grasping a rope for balance during the awards ceremony as the Plancius rocked back toward Argentina, said it best: “In a world where people chase assets for happiness, it’s unique experiences with others that truly make you happy. 4Deserts competitors live and understand this.” TR
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