INTERVIEW: Ultra Runner Arda Saatci Is About To Attempt His Toughest Challenge Yet, A 96-Hour Live Streamed Run From Death Valley To Santa Monica

You can call him a cyborg, a runner or a social media celebrity and creator because Arda Saatci is all of that. But above all, he is an absolute freak of an endurance athlete and is 1 of 1 when it comes to his unique challenges. In 2024, the Berlin native ‘ran from’ Berlin to NYC, a span of 3,000 kilometers (1,864 miles) over 74 days, covering the distance of 1-2 marathons daily.

Along the way, word got out about how incredible of a hybrid athlete Arda Saatci is and the Red Bull-sponsored ultra runner has amassed millions of followers across social media: 1.2M on Instagram, 931K subscribers on YouTube, and 788K on TikTok. I spoke with him this week for an interview ahead of his next challenge and we discussed life as a creator and hybrid athlete as well as how he is preparing for the unknown.

On May 5th, Arda Saatci will embark on a quest to run from Death Valley to the Santa Monica Pier. He will complete the 373-mile run in 96 hours and the whole thing will be streamed live by a support crew so the world can see just how grueling this feat really is.. He is being supported by Wings For Life for this challenge, something we discussed below. We also talked about his nutrition, training, and expecting the unexpected. So without further ado, let’s dive into the interview below.

Interview With Extreme Endurance Athlete Arda Saatci

Cass Anderson: How are you feeling ahead of the challenge—physically and mentally?

Arda Saatci: I feel great. I feel stronger every day, and the preparation is going very well. I’m really hyped for the challenge.

Cass Anderson: Going into something like this, what does the training block look like for a 96-hour continuous run? How many hours are you putting in per week?

Arda Saatci: The training is built around handling stress over a long period, not just physically, but mentally as well. It’s not just about running total volume, but it’s a mix of endurance work, long sessions under fatigue, and a lot of strength training to stay durable.

I’ve been putting myself in situations where I’m already tired and then keep going from there. That’s what this challenge is about… Operating when your body isn’t fresh anymore. It’s less about peak performance and more about sustained performance.

Cass Anderson: So the idea is to train yourself not to stop and never quit? Almost like a ‘go one more’ mentality, similar to a Backyard Ultra?

Arda Saatci: Exactly. That’s it.

Staying Fueled During A 96-Hour, 373-Mile Run

Cass Anderson: When you’re out there for this challenge, do you have a plan for how many carbs or calories you’re taking in each hour?

Arda Saatci: I aim for about 90 grams of carbs per hour and around 1,200 mgs of sodium. I actually had a sweat test today, and those numbers come from that. For this challenge, everything is planned with my team… Calorie intake, timing, everything. So over the total 96 hours I will end up taking in around 60,000 calories.

Fueling is a key part of performance if you want to stay in good shape that long. Day to day, I eat clean and balanced meals, but during the challenge it’s more about efficiency… Fast carbs, foods that are easy to digest, electrolytes, and constant hydration. And gummy bears.

Cass Anderson: Do you ever need to switch things up because you get sick of certain foods or can you stick with simple carbs the whole time?

Arda Saatci: It’s a mix. I use gels, gums, gummy bears, and hydration drinks, but also real food like rice. I usually eat real food when I stop or take a nap. While I’m running, it’s mostly fast carbs.

Cass Anderson: What drew you to partner with the Wings for Life Foundation?

Arda Saatci: For me, it’s about something bigger than performance. Wings for Life is working to find a cure for spinal cord injuries, and 100% of donations go directly into research. That’s a very big thing for me. And for the whole running community.

The format of the Wings For Life World Run is also unique. Everyone around the world starts at the same time, and instead of a fixed finish line, it’s about how far you can go. It’s not about records, it’s about ‘you versus you.’ And that’s what I always tell my community… give your best every day and do it for a bigger purpose.

Cass Anderson: You have a massive following across social media. Was there a moment when you realized you could pursue this full-time?

Arda Saatci: It happened over time. But the turning point was my Berlin to New York challenge. That’s when everything really took off for me and millions of people followed the journey. At that moment, I realized this could become something much bigger. Now I try to give my community the best advice and motivation—to help them explore their own limits.

Cass Anderson: Both that challenge and this one are largely solo efforts. What draws you to the ‘You Versus You’ dynamic versus something like the Cocadona 250 that’s taking place during your challenge or other ultra races with large groups involved?

Arda Saatci: It is a solo challenge, but I also want to share it. If I did it only for myself, nobody would see it—and that’s not the main reason I do this. I want to inspire people. I want to show what’s happening in my body and mind—the challenges, the inner dialogue.

But honestly, the cameras can make it harder. Sometimes it’s more stressful than being alone by myself just out for a run. During this challenge, there are 30 or 40 people around me, and I’m not used to that. I feel most relaxed when I can just run alone with music or just my thoughts.

Arda Saatci On Finding Motivation Under Sub-Optimal Conditions

Cass Anderson: Are there days when you don’t want to train? How do you push through that?

Arda Saatci: Of course. I don’t wake up every day excited to run. But I hate the feeling of not doing it. And I love the feeling of beating my inner voice. That’s what drives me. It’s like brushing your teeth. If I don’t train, I don’t feel right.

Cass Anderson: Why did you choose this specific route from Death Valley to the Santa Monica Pier?

Arda Saatci: I’ve heard a lot about Death Valley and the Badwater Race and I wanted to challenge myself in those extreme desert conditions. It was very intentional.

Cass Anderson: Are you able to replicate the Death Valley desert conditions at all where you live?

Arda Saatci: (laughs) No, not in Germany. The conditions play a huge role, especially in the desert. You have to find a window where it’s still extremely challenging but manageable from a safety and performance standpoint. For me, it’s the perfect place to try to cover 373 miles in under 96 hours.

Cass Anderson: When the pain and fatigue set in, how do you push through?

Arda Saatci: Pain is part of the game in this challenge. I want to explore my limits and to see what my body can do over 96 hours. That’s what excites me.

Cass Anderson: What’s been the most fun part of training?

Arda Saatci: The variety. I don’t just run… I do strength training, push-ups, pull-ups, swimming, biking, rowing. I like being a hybrid athlete and pushing limits across different disciplines.

Cass Anderson: Have you thought about the things you can’t plan for or train for, the unknown and x-factors that might pop up during this challenge?

Arda Saatci: Yes for sure, the biggest one is sleep deprivation. That’s the one thing you can’t fully train for. The hallucinations… The mental fatigue… I’ve done long runs without sleep, like 30 hours or ultramarathons, but four days is different. I’m excited to find out what happens.

---

Arda’s 96-hour run from Death Valley to the Santa Monica Pier kicks off on May 5th. Smash the ‘SUBSCRIBE’ button on that video above to follow his YouTube channel and stay updated over the next few days as the challenge inches closer. And be sure to tune back in as he live streams the continuous 96-hour run from Death Valley, one of the hottest and least hospitable places on planet earth to the Santa Monica Pier.