Harrison Wins Global Race Series

An adventurous British father, Ben Harrison wins Global Race Series, becoming the third person in history to complete all four extreme ultramarathons in the prestigious Global Race Series (GRS) hosted by Beyond The Ultimate. Harrison’s remarkable journey culminated this past week in the Peruvian Amazon, where he not only finished the Jungle Ultra but also emerged victorious.

The Global Race Series is renowned for its gruelling races, each spanning between 200 and 250 kilometres and set in some of the world’s most extreme environments. The series of stage races includes:

• The Ice Ultra in the Swedish Arctic

• The Jungle Ultra in the Peruvian Amazon

• The Desert Ultra in Namibia’s Namib Desert

• The Mountain Ultra in Kyrgyzstan’s Tian Shan Mountains

Participants in the Global Race Series face five days of self-sufficient racing, carrying all their own equipment, food, and shelter. External assistance, except by the Medical team made up of NHS staff, is strictly prohibited, pushing competitors to their physical and mental limits while fostering camaraderie amongst the group.

Ben Harrison’s journey began in the scorching sands of Namibia with the Desert Ultra. Despite a challenging start, famously taking twelve hours to finish the first stage, Harrison’s determination never wavered. He pressed on through the icy expanses of the Arctic, the rugged mountains of Kyrgyzstan, and finally, the dense, humid jungles of Peru’s Amazon.

Harrison’s victory at the Jungle Ultra marks a triumphant end to his “zero to hero” journey. Reflecting on his achievement, he said, “It’s unbelievable really, I didn’t expect it. It’s amazing to finish the series, and to finish on a high and win it is more than I could ask for. It’s a shared experience where people really get to know themselves, seeing resilience, perseverance and what people are like when they’re under pressure, and the ultrarunning community is really special.”

Ben’s accomplishment is a testament to the power of perseverance, his journey was one marked with mistakes that nearly cost him multiple times. In the recent Jungle Ultra he accidentally drank unfiltered river water, risking sickness that would have cost him the race. His journey not only inspires runners worldwide but also highlights the importance of resilience, community, and the drive to push beyond one’s limits. On completing the series Ben retires race number 6, the number that marks his children’s birth month.

Ben is running in memory of his close friend and mentor Julian, who passed away suddenly a number of years ago. Julian inspired Ben’s first marathon in 2009, and was himself a formidable ultrarunner.

Ben added, “The organisation from Beyond the Ultimate, the Medics, I can’t fault any of it and I’d do all of it again in a heart beat.”

About
The Global Race Series is a collection of ultramarathons designed to test the endurance, resilience, and self-sufficiency of runners in some of the world’s most extreme environments. The series emphasises not only the physical challenge but also the cultural experience, fostering connections between participants and local communities.

Website: Beyond The Ultimate