About Us
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 / 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 racesaround the world. He also participated in about 20 city-marathons (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.
Nathan Montague/Great Britain - Course Director
Nathan is a father of two beautiful girls, Teacher, Coach and aspiring International athlete. Having competed for his country on multiple occasions in Ultra distance he is continually pushing the boundaries of his own perceived limitations and relish the challenge of this unique sport which tests our resolve every time we dare take the start line. Having competing in some amazing places around the world he is aiming to push himself in international competition on both the trails, mountains and the roads including 24hour racing and the Multi-day stage races. He has competed and achieved success across the UK with numerous course records and wins in national competitions on the trails and roads in ultras in addition to races international, including the Mt Goaligong Ultra in China, KAEM in South Africa and GlobalLimits won GlobalLimits Sri Lanka 2016, GlobalLimits Sao Tomé in 2022 and GlobalLimits Cambodia 2023. He relishs competing for his country and his short term targets include making the national team in 24 hour racing and the Ultra Gobi 400km in September 2017 + 2018.
Nathan is also the training advisor for GlobalLimits.
Nathan already served as a course marker in GlobalLimits Albania 2017, 2018 and 2020 as well as in Bhutan 2019 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, 2022 and Bhutan 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, Albania 2018, 2020 and Sao Tome 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Mia Derstine, Denver/USA - Race Doctor
Dr. Mia Derstine is an emergency medicine physician with UCHealth at Highlands Ranch Hospital. She did her residency at the University of Chicago. She then did a Wilderness and Environmental Medicine Fellowship at the University of Colorado, where she is now the associate fellowship director. Her academic interests include women in the wilderness, education, and plant toxicology. She has experience with flight medicine, international medical transport, austere medicine at Summit Camp in Greenland, and ultramarathon medicine in Mongolia. She is currently the co-chair for the Wilderness Medical Society summer conferences. Her preferred vacation is walking for days on end with a (kind of) heavy backpack. You can otherwise find her at home in Denver with her husband and pup Ginger.
Mia already served as a race doctor at GlobalLimits Cambodia in 2023.

Rhonwen Jeffrey-Thomas/Great Britain - Volunteer
Rhonwen is a Paramedic from the UK. She has been working for the Ambulance service in Kent for five years and has recently completed a post graduate diploma from St Georges University to qualify as a Paramedic Practitioner. She has volunteered at the Jungle marathon in Brazil and was a race doctor at GlobalLimits in Albania 2017, 2020 and 2022 as well as in Sao Tome 2020.
While she is not a runner she loves the outdoors. When she is not at work she is often hiking in the welsh mountains, surfing in Devon or riding a mountain bike down a trai

Brian Derstine, Denver/USA - Volunteer
Brian is a data scientist with the Morphomic Analysis Group at the University of Michigan. When he's not at work analyzing CT imaging data using machine learning, he's either working on a DIY home improvement project, or participating in one of his other hobbies - cycling, skiing, fly fishing, bouldering, hiking, and camping. Otherwise he's at home in Denver with his wife and dog Ginger.

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.
Sarah already served as a volunteer at GlobalLimits Sao Tomé 2024.
Geoff Hardy, Auckland/New Zealand - Volunteer
Breaking News
Breaking News
GlobalLimits Peaks of the Balkans is for 80% fully booked. What are you waiting for?

