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/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 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 was our medical director in Cambodia 2016, Bhutan 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023 Albania 2018, 2019, 2020 and Sao Tome 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023.

Mafalda Iria, Portugal/Sao Tomé - Volunteer

Mafalda, Portuguese, is a veterinarian at Zuntapata - a lovely veterinary clinic by the sea, in São Tomé and Principe. She arrived in São Tomé in 2017, where she set up her clinic and AMA, an association that works for the safe of street animals, public health and food security.

Her biggest aspirations are her family (of two and four legs), nature and... sport, of course!

For 22 years she practiced ballet and rhythmic gymnastics, until her soul mate instilled her with a new passion: running.

Mafalda was lucky to meet the inspiring GlobalLimits Family in the first race in São Tomé at “The Hemisphere Crossing” in 2020, in which she participated for the first time, as a volunteer as well as in 2021.

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.

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. 

Tiziano Pisoni/Mucumbli Explore, São Tomé - Logistics & Infrastructure