Sobre nosotros
Since 2012, GlobalLimits has committed to organising multi-stage races (6 stages, 200+/- km) that everyone has the opportunity to shape their own race the way they want to enjoy/endure it.
We are here to provide the meticulously selected running trails, spectacular cultural backdrops, safety measures and the opportunity to meet like-minded people. And of course, unforgettable experiences.
You do not need to carry your supplies. Focus on the trail and the experience. We carry your supplies from campy to camp. We organise, you run.
Our races are committed to the 3S principles: Sustainability, Social commitment and Sportsmanship exchange.
Sustainability
GlobalLimits is a company that supports sustainability. Our small and professional team ensures the minimal carbon footprints and in setting up races aboard. We also facilitate and encourage our participants to learn about local cultures and its people.
Social commitment
We engage with the local communities, work with the local service providers and employ locals to bring direct economic impacts to the communities. We also support various social program that bring positive impacts.
Sportsmanship exchange
We have a program to inviting local running talents to participate in all our race locations. Through this program, local athletes could experience first hand endurance races, showcase their talents and exchange both sports and cultural experiences with our participants.
Join our races - with our four race locations, you are going to find a challenge that you want to shape. We have no Limits!
Stefan Betzelt/Germany - Founder and CEO of GlobalLimits
Stefan was born and lives in Wiesbaden/Germany. He founded GlobalLimits in 2012. Stefan has a wealth of extreme racing experience, having participated in many of the most gruelling ultra races around the world. He also participated in about 20 city-marathons (PB 2:46) and successsfully climbed the Kilimanjaro and the Mount Aconcagua.
Stefan has visited more than 101 countries and learnt a great deal about different cultures and people. He now makes use of this experience to select outstanding and unique locations for the GlobalLimits races.
Stefan has worked as a managing director for some of the leading global financial institutions before he retired in 2006 to become a self employed financial and personnel consultant but now is full time focused on GlobalLimits.
Stefan is also a member of the Curatoship of the Institute of Sports Medicine in Frankfurt/Germany.
Mario Machado, Lisbon/Portugal - Course Director
Mario, a physical Education teacher and international athletic coach, is the technical director of the Lisbon Half Marathon (30.000+ runners), the Portugal Half Marathon, the Lisbon Marathon and the organizer, technical director and controller of the race of various other high profile road races in Portugal and international trail races.
Since 2009 he is also the "Controller of the race" of the Marathon des Sables in Morrocco.
Mario is the publisher and director of "Spiridon-Portugal" running magazin since 1978.
He is also a very experienced runner himself. He just finished his 100th Marathon/Ultra at GlobalLimits Cambodia 2017.
Mario already served as a volunteer for the inaugural race in Albania in 2017 and in Cambodia 2018 as well as being the course director in Albania 2018 and 2019 and Sao Tome 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024
Ledjo Hoxha, Tirana/Albania - Course Marker
Ledjo was born and lives in Albania. He has studied Political Science and now works for the Ministry of Defense in Albania. His passion about adventure leads to his journeys. He is a scuba diver, climber and also does a lot of adventure sports. He loves meeting new people and getting in touch with new cultures and is excited to have such an experience as Sao Tome.
Ledjo already served at GlobalLimits Albania 2018 + 2019 and was course marker in Sao Tomé 2021 and 2023.
Ryan Paterson, Denver/USA - Medical Director
Dr. Ryan Paterson attended the University of Vermont School of Medicine and completed his Emergency Medicine Residency and Fellowship in Wilderness/Altitude/Expedition Medicine at Denver Health Medical Center/University of Colorado. He also holds advanced certifications in Tropical Medicine from the London School of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (DTM&H) and in Mountain Medicine (DiMM). He is a practicing Emergency Physician for Kaiser Permanente at St Joseph’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado.
Dr. Paterson serves as co-course director for the Wilderness Medical Society and Universities of Colorado and Utah’s Diploma in Mountain Medicine Course (DiMM). He is the current United States delegate to the International Society of Mountain Medicine (ISMM). Currently, Dr. Paterson is working, in partnership with CU South Denver to develop a Wilderness Medicine for Kids program utilizing an original curriculum. He also serves as medical director for No Barriers and another non-profit (Kolkata City Mission) working to establish sustainable development solutions in education, health, women’s empowerment, micro-enterprise and public-health for informal communities in and around Kolkata, India.
Ryan already served as a race medical director at GlobalLimits Cambodia 2016 and Bhutan 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2024 Albania 2018 and Sao Tome 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023.
Barbara Blok, Boulder/USA - Race Doctor
Barb is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at University of Colorado School of Medicine and Associate Residency Program Director at the Denver Health Residency in Emergency Medicine. Originally from Michigan, she completed her Emergency Medicine training at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. She has called Colorado home for the past 13 years and has been teaching and practicing Wilderness Medicine since her arrival.
She loves making time for outdoor adventures in the form of hiking, Nordic skiing, biking, and trail running. She has even finished a couple of ultra-marathons!
Barb already served as race doctor in Bhutan and Cambodia as well as running in Albania.
Erin Drasler/USA - Race Doctor
Dr. Erin Drasler practices Emergency Medicine in Denver, CO. She trained in Wilderness and Expedition medicine at the University of Colorado and is completing her Diploma in Mountain Medicine. She currently serves as medical director for Colorado Outward Bound and teaches multiple wilderness medicine courses through the University of Colorado.
As an athlete and avid ultrarunner herself, she has competed in multiple races including the Leadville 100 and the Rocky Raccoon 100 and most of all she is the overall winner of GlobalLimits Albania in 2022. She is passionate about patient care, running, mountains, wilderness, rock climbing, travel and family.
Erin already served as a medical doctor at GlobalLimits Bhutan in 2019 and Cambodia 2019. She was also the champion of GlobalLimits Albania 2022.
Geert Meese, Tielt/Belgium - Volunteer
Geert is a Belgian medic who decided to work a little bit less and spending more time doing his passions: multi stage racing ( 100 km del Sahara, Marathon des Sables , Grand to Grand ….) , marathon racing , or volunteering in multi stage races ( Spain, Portugal, Oman …). a passion he sheares with his wife.
If not working or racing , his time is spend abroad with a high preference for unbeaten tracks in Asia or South America. Always enthusiastic to help participants to make their dreams come true.
Geert already served as a volunteer for GlobalLimits in Cambodia 2015 + 2016 + 2019, Bhutan 2016 + 2017 + 2018 + 2019 and in Albania 2017 +2018 + 2019 + 2020 and Sao Tomé 2022.
Mayra Johnson/Brazil - Volunteer
Born and raised in Brazil, living in Asia for the past 17 years, currently in Mumbai (India). Professional background in the Airline Industry and Finance. Currently working in the Fitness Industry as a Pilates Instructor and as an active volunteer at an orphanage for girls in India.
Found the love for running 5 years ago, specifically for the multi stage races. Completed a few full and half marathons and the following a couple of Ultras including GlobalLimits races in Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Bhutan. Mayra is also a winner of the prestigious "GlobalLimits Heritage Site Runner" series award.
Mayra is now really looking forward to join a GlobalLimits race as a volunteer and make use of her very good knowledge of the organization.
Anne Ver Hoef, Anchorage, Alaska, USA - Volunteer
Anne is an enthusiastic outdoor trail runner, hiker, backpacker and traveler. Anne finished the Global Limits Albania race in 2018. Having extended independent travels in the north of Albania after the race, Anne speaks highly of both this race and Albania.
Most of Anne’s racing accomplishments have been on the snow in the remote parts of Alaska. Anne still holds the women’s record for a runner on the 350 mile distance of the Iditarod Trail Invitational in Alaska. When not adventuring outdoors, Anne is a speech-language pathologist working with adolescents and adults with communication, cognitive and swallowing disorders. She continues a 36+ year career in this field.
Olly Griffin, Great Britain - Volunteer
Olly has lived in eastern Cambodia for almost six years, where he works with an organization supporting the government and local people to protect the wildlife and forests of Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary. He is now living and working in Ruanda.
A 'slow and steady' runner, he has completed several half marathons in the UK as well as in GlobalLimits Bhutan 2023
Olly already served as a volunteer in Cambodia 2017 and 2018.
Mila Siebert, Germany - Volunteer
Mila (Miljauscha) was born in the South Urals, Russia, where she competed nationally as a cross-country skier. She moved to Germany 33 years ago and now works at a tax office while also teaching yoga and Pilates for many years.
In addition to her professional life, Mila is a passionate athlete with extensive experience in organizing and coordinating races for international running teams, including the Trans Alpine, Saint Petersburg Marathon, and Röntgenlauf Remscheid. As an accomplished marathon and ultramarathon runner, she has completed numerous races around the world, with notable highlights being the GlobalLimits events in Bhutan and São Tomé.
A native Tatar speaker and fluent in Russian, Mila is eager to lend her expertise to the 1st GlobalLimits Uzbekistan race.
Sarah Siebert, Berlin/Germany - Volunteer
Sarah lives in Berlin and currently works in the solar energy sector. Being born into a very active family heavily influenced her and has led to her embracing an active lifestyle as well. After playing volleyball in Germany and the USA, Sarah is now including a mix of running, spinning, strength training, yoga, and pilates into her daily routine. On occasion, she can be found walking the Camino de Santiago or hiking through the Albanian alps.
For the past 15 years, Sarah has supported and volunteered for numerous races and is excited to join the GlobalLimits team for the first time in São Tomé. Sarah enjoys traveling, learning about new cultures, and is always up for a good conversation.
Lena Yee, Victoria/Canada - Volunteer
Lena, our volunteer from Canada, thrives in the great outdoors. Whether hiking through breathtaking landscapes or cheering on runners at race checkpoints, she’s always surrounded by the energy of nature and sports. As an experienced GlobalLimits races volunteer, Lena’s cheerful presence is a constant source of encouragement for all of us. Beyond her love for adventure, she is a dedicated tax professional, bringing expertise and precision to her work. Whether on the trail or in her professional life, Lena’s enthusiasm and commitment shine through in everything she does.
Lena was serving as a volunteer in Sao Tomé and Cambodia 2023.
Amy Paterson, Denver/USA - Volunteer
Amy is the mother of two active girls, married to Ryan Paterson, GlobalLimits' medical director. She works as an Elementary School Teacher. In addition, she volunteer coaches soccer and lacrosse for young girls in Denver. She has supported and volunteered for numerous running, cycling, and triathlons races.
She was an All-American lacrosse player in high school and college and loves working as a team. She is truly inspired by athletes competing in ultra-marathons and is excited to volunteer. Amy loves to travel, be outdoors and is always up for an adventure.
Amy already served as a volunteer at GlobalLimits Albania 2018 and Sao Tomé 2021.
Patricia Schellekens/Belgium - Volunteer
Patricia works as a registered nurse on the ER and intensive care of the University Hospital of Antwerp,since 1991
She speaks Dutch,French,English and some Spanish
She enjoys travelling, running, hiking, cycling and working as a volunteer on different kind of events.
Patricia ran some 100K, some marathons and a lot of smaller races.
Patricia is a very well experienced volunteer, in the medical and non-medical team. She already served in several races: MdS, Andalusia Ultra Trail, Grand2Grand, KAEM, Legends Trail, Tomorrowland, Triathlons.
Patricia is a GlobalLimits Heritage Site Runner series award winner for successfully completing GlobalLimits Cambodia, Bhutan and Sao Tomé
Patricia already served as a volunteer in Albania, Cambodia and Bhutan.