Arda Saatci, a 28-year-old runner from Berlin, reached the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday at 2:30 PM local time after running more than 600 kilometers through the California desert. His run began at Badwater Basin in Death Valley, where he had set an ambitious goal to complete the distance in just 96 hours. However, according to N-tv, Saatci had to pay the price of exhaustion and reached his goal only after 123 hours and 21 minutes.
During the run, Saatci battled extreme conditions, including high temperatures and sleep deprivation. In a livestream that attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers, he was seen taking short walking breaks before resuming his run. Just before reaching the finish line, he achieved an impressive pace of about six minutes per kilometer, equivalent to a speed of 10 kilometers per hour.
In an Instagram post, Saatci announced that despite the challenges, he would complete the distance. "I will keep the promise to go for ice cream with my mother on Mother's Day," he said during the livestream. Ultimately, the route was 604.5 kilometers long due to detours, adding to the challenge.
The run was supported by a large team that took care of the athlete's logistical and health needs. Physiotherapists and friends ensured that Saatci received the necessary support throughout the run. Before the event, he stocked up on a significant amount of food to meet the physical demands.
