The 2025 Desert Ultra has concluded with two extraordinary champions, as Alexander Welch stormed to victory in the men’s race with one of the most commanding performances in Global Race Series history, while Kasia Orzechowska secured her second Desert Ultra crown with an epic, career-defining run. Ioana Barbu finished all six Beyond the Ultimate races in a single calendar year, a feat never before accomplished.
Alexander Welch storms the desert
Alexander Welch delivered a performance for the ages, claiming the 2025 Desert Ultra men’s title in sensational style. Welch crossed the line in 24 hours, 27 minutes, 48 seconds, finishing hours ahead of the competition and winning every single stage of the race.
This victory marks the culmination of a remarkable year for Welch. After winning the Ice Ultra in February and podiuming at the Mountain Ultra in June, he has now conquered three of the four Global Race Series terrains, from frozen Arctic tundra to one of the hottest deserts on Earth.
His domination was emphatic: Welch not only secured the outright win, but also smashed legendary American ultra runner and Race Director Adam Kimble’s 2018 course time, beating it by nearly 40 minutes.
Welch’s performance firmly establishes him as a rising titan of the sport. A relentless competitor and a brilliant runner, he has set himself on a clear trajectory towards becoming a future Global Race Series Hall of Famer.
Kasia Orzechowska claims her second Desert Ultra title six years on
In the women’s race, Kasia Orzechowska returned to Namibia with unfinished business and she delivered in spectacular fashion, winning the 2025 Desert Ultra Women’s title with an exceptional display of resilience, strategy, and sheer talent.
Six years after her record-breaking 2019 triumph, Orzechowska once again proved herself one of the fiercest competitors in the Global Race Series. Throughout the race she was a beacon of positivity around camp, yet utterly ruthless on the course, navigating the desert’s brutal heat and unforgiving terrain with trademark composure.
Though she narrowly missed Kristina Madsen’s 2022 course record, Orzechowska’s finishing time of 32 hours, 35 minutes, 15 seconds secured her a decisive victory over a strong women’s field. Her second Desert Ultra win cements her status as one of the most iconic athletes in Desert Ultra history.
Ioana Barbu makes history, finishing all six Beyond The Ultimate races in one year.
In a moment that will be remembered for years to come, Ioana Barbu has taken second place in the 2025 Desert Ultra Women’s Race and, in doing so, completed one of the most extraordinary endurance achievements ever recorded.
Ioana Barbu has finished all six Beyond the Ultimate races in a single calendar year, a feat never before accomplished.
Her journey includes:
- Ice
- Highland
- Jungle
- Mountain
- Rangers
- Desert
She stands alone as the first athlete ever to conquer them all within twelve months, including the gruelling full Global Race Series.
Her Desert Ultra time of 38:42:18 not only secured her place on the podium, but also placed her firmly into BTU legend. With over 1265km of ultra running this year Ioana proves she’s one of the toughest.
