A Note from Arda Saatçi – FOUNDER
Cyborg Season '24
The hardest challenge of my life – a 3,000 km Ultra-Marathon from Berlin to New York. You vs. You – the ultimate challenge. When the road ahead is long and the obstacles are real, every step taken is a victory of the mind over the impossible. This journey tested my limits and reshaped my spirit. May our day one® performance attire serve as a call to embrace every challenge you face and push your boundaries to a new level.
DISTANCE: 3.000 km
ELEVATION GAIN: 21.700 m
DE – FR – ES – PT – USA
000 – 704 km
Berlin
During my first days in Germany, I felt like I was flying. But everything changed abruptly in Frankfurt. A sharp pain pierced my left calf with every step – as if a knife was cutting deep into the flesh. Soon, it became clear: my shin bone was fractured. Despite the agony, I continued running for 250 kilometers, pushing through the pain to the French border. For a long time, I didn’t want to accept it, but it became inevitable to face the sad truth: the fracture needed medical treatment. After an MRI, the diagnosis was confirmed – a shinbone fracture. This led to two months of rehab, and for a long time, it was unclear whether I would recover and be able to continue my challenge. The doctors had their doubts, but one thing was certain to me: nothing would stop me from completing this journey, this mission, no matter how long it would take.
705 – 1.840 km
France
France was not only a physical challenge but also a mental one. After a phase full of highs and lows, marked by dark thoughts and the constant battle with my inner demons, I slowly found my rhythm again in Paris. I ran a half marathon every day to get back into the flow. After the Olympic Games, where I had the honor of being the face of the German national team, I started rerunning ultramarathons. But France kept pushing me: kilometer after kilometer on long country roads, passing risky encounters with drivers. Every step was a small victory over the pain that I felt in every cell of my body.
1.841 – 2.394 km
Spain
Spain posed an entirely new kind of challenge: This is where the battle against the mountains began. Each day felt like I was endlessly climbing stairs that never seemed to end. The paths were rocky and sandy, up and down, without mercy. The heat pressed relentlessly on me as if the sun set the land on fire. Encounters with snakes and other animals seeking shade in the unforgiving heat reminded me of how wild this landscape indeed was. But the most significant battle was within myself – against the constant temptation to give up. Every ultramarathon was a duel with my willpower, one I was determined not to lose.
2.395 – 2.662 km
Portugal
Portugal continued the challenges seamlessly; only the mountains became steeper, and the distances were shorter but tougher. The sun scorched the asphalt mercilessly; the air was still – no wind, no shade. With every step, the heat seemed to steal my breath while snakes and other animals fought the same relentless battle for survival. But the euphoria grew: we were approaching Porto, the goal of this stage. The psychological pressure was immense – every day was a battle against exhaustion, fatigue, and the inner voice telling me to stop. Yet the thought of finishing the European stage gave me the strength to keep running.
2.663 – 3.149 km
New York
It was the final stage of a journey that had pushed my body and mind to the limit. Over 2,500 kilometers were already in my muscles, and now, on a new continent, the destination was within reach. America - the vastness, the roads - everything led to New York. There were moments when my body wanted to give up. But my spirit remained strong. This was the biggest challenge of my life, and to overcome it, I had to focus all my remaining energy. Every step brought me closer to the moment I had always imagined: the last few meters through the streets of New York. Blood, sweat, tears and broken bones couldn't stop me. And then it was time: New York baby!
Explore Cyborg Season '24
