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What’s more brutal than racing full-send for 11 days, around the clock, through Fiji’s unforgivable mountainous terrain and unpredictable tropical-storm weather, with almost zero sleep, little fuel, no GPS and 671km to go? Yep. Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Even if you’re a seasoned badass endurance athlete, like Spartan Race’s Regional Director for Latin America, Gerhard Linner, The World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji is no joke. Last September, Linner (insane athlete that he is) joined 66 teams from 30 countries to tromp across the harshest backwaters and rainforest in the South Pacific—carrying nothing but a compass, maps and basic gear essentials—to film the new 10-episode adventure reality TV show, hosted by former British SAS and survival maven Bear Grylls. The new series premieres on Amazon Prime Vido on August 14. (And trust us, after reading what Linner has to say, you’ll consider the series perfect rest-day motivation to stay Spartan Strong. Guaranteed.)
We asked Linner for behind-the-scenes intel. With grit and determination as two of our core values, we were dying to know exactly how he bagged the race, his most profound highs and lows, and what it was really like for this enduro-beast to be on reality TV. Hint: it’s not what you think—but so much more.
Here’s the 411 from a real Spartan on this truly brutal, unprecedented adventure race. Think: sidetracking injuries, tropical storms, map mishaps, and any other sh*t-rocking obstacle you can imagine. No safety nets. No guidance. Just pure balls and badassery.
Q&A with Gerhard Linner—Tackling The World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji
The Beginning: So, why the hell would anyone do this?
SPARTAN RACE: How did you hear about The World’s Toughest Race? Why did you decide to give it a shot?
GERHARD LINNER: Eco Challenge is like the Olympics of adventure racing. Ever since they started in the mid 90’s, we have always wanted to race one, but never had the opportunity, until now—and even now, it was not easy. We had to submit a five-minute video of the team sharing why we deserved to be part of the race. We were not the only team that applied [on behalf of Costa Rica], one of them had prior Eco-Challenge experience. But I believe we presented the strongest team for Costa Rica with plenty of experience and a winning mentality. We were ready to bring the fight to the top teams.
SR: Who was on your team for Costa Rica—and what was your vibe like?
GL: Our five person team was Team Costa Rica (the only one from CR). More than anything, we are just good old friends looking for some good adventures. We have practiced adventure sports and raced together (and against each other) for many years, and Eco Challenge was the perfect opportunity to get back together and represent Costa Rica in The World Toughest Race. We have all also been involved in race organization for many years, either directing events or helping one another put on events.
SR: What was the biggest pre-race challenge you had to overcome?
GL: Three days before the race, we went on a short night bike ride. Just a few miles before we got home, our female team member, Veronica Bravo, had an accident. We were going downhill on a gravel road and her front tire slipped on the side of the road. I was behind her and saw everything in slow motion. The fall itself did not look that bad, but the consequences were devastating. She ended up at the hospital that night. It turned out that she had torn two ligaments from her chest to the shoulder. The diagnosis said she’d be away from any sport activity for at least 3-4 weeks, which automatically put us out of the race and would have kept us from fulfilling a lifelong dream. It was devastating for the five of us. We immediately started working on the possibility of finding a replacement, if the race coordinators would allow it.
We went through three days of nightmares, little sleep, major stress, taking care of Veronica and trying to help her feel better emotionally and physically. After long conversations with the race director, medics, hospital, private doctors, and many others, we were told we were not authorized to use a replacement. So we were destined to be out of the race even before it even started. That was probably the hardest and toughest time we have faced in our athletes lives. We had managed to get invited, trained as crazy as we ever had, and our lifelong dream was slipping from our hands right at the starting line.
The day before the race, Veronica convinced us that she was willing to give it a shot. It implied that our original plan of going out full speed and power (and hopefully finishing in the top 10-15 spots) changed to survival mode. We just had to make sure we took care of her to be able to make it to the finish line. We had to re-focused our plan to finish, no matter what. She was not able to paddle much, biking was hard for her and carrying a heavy pack was brutal. But, we managed to keep her safe and she gradually started feeling better. Her pain went away little by little, so she started feeling emotionally better, which helped a lot to keep us going and push our limits.
The Race: Everest-Style Elevation, Swamp Swims, Waterfall Rappels, Near-Blind Night Rides + More
SR: What were the conditions like during the race?
GL: Conditions were harsh the whole time. If it was not too hot, it was windy, or humid, or cold, super cold, freezing cold, or extremely muddy. The terrain was brutal also. There is no flatland in Fiji, I can tell you that! We climbed the same (or more) elevation as Mount Everest.
SR: Can you walk us through the structure of the race?
GL: Adventure/expedition races, like Eco Challenge’s World’s Toughest Race, are multi day, multi sport, non-stop competitions. Teams are formed by five people: four racers and one TAC (team assistant crew). There were five legs in which we had to do different activities or sports. Along the way, you have to find different checkpoints to ensure you’re following the main course. Also, in each leg we had to collect a “medallion” as proof the team had completed the full leg.
Activities we did: Camakau Sailing (traditional fijian sailboat), trekking, standup paddling, mountain biking, rock climbing, waterfall rappelling, outrigger canoeing, swimming, white water rafting, and Bili Bili rafting (traditional fijian rafts made out of bamboo sticks).
SR: What gear could you bring, and what were the limitations?
GL: We had a mandatory gear list that we had to have with us at all times, or leave behind depending on the following section. We had to have all of that [rain jackets, climbing shoes/harness, food, cold water clothing, etc] in a gearbox that was transported for us from one transition point to the next. Beside that gear box, we had our bikes and bike boxes. You try to stick to the minimum requirements of the list so you carry less, which translates to lighter packs. Limitations are simple: no electronics, no GPS, no phones, no cameras. Just your compass and set of maps.
SR: What was the toughest moment in the race for you? Did you ever think you weren't going to finish?
GL: There were many critical moments that make you have second thoughts about everything. For me, the hardest part was the leg that started at the waterfall climb, followed by the swamp swim, SUP and last mountain-bike section. I had lost most of my gear, including my good water shoes and contact lenses. From there on, it was a nightmare for me. I could not see very well on foot, not to mention how hard it was on the mountain bike at night. Not even then, did it cross my mind not to continue the race. It was not an option. One way or the other, I was going to finish, even if I had to crawl… Not having the right shoes during that section destroyed my feet. I had to walk slowly and was in a lot of pain… but, no pain, no gain.
The Filming: Performing on Camera, Not as Bad as it Sounds
SR: What was it like to be on reality TV? You crush enduro sports all the time, but how did filming impact your mental and physical game—or did it?
GL: Actually, it was not that much for us. Although we did get a lot of attention from cameras, especially as we were getting closer to transition areas and then leaving them, and at other points along the way, we didn’t have a camera with us all the time.
When we did, it was ok. It added a bit of spice and kind of helped us to keep our shit together, push harder and not break ejeje [the positive energy within]. It was also good because if we manage to squeeze a few minutes here and there, it could help to get new sponsors to keep racing! Both our captain and myself have also worked in the TV and movie industry for a few years, most of the time in reality shows, but behind cameras, so the whole production, camera, TV thing is not new for us. It was actually fun to see it from the other side.
SR: Bear Grylls—as legendary as he seems?
GL: When we met with him, he was super cool and energetic. He was always pushing everyone to give their best. For sure it impacts you—you get filled with adrenaline and emotion when he is around so that pushes you even more.
The Mindset: How to Stay Sane, Strong and Grit Through the Damn Thing
SR: What did you tell yourself to stay mentally strong during the race? Any favorite mantras to keep your head in the game?
GL: No pain, no gain! I told myself one time after another. Thinking about my family kept me on my feet, also. I could not see myself going back home and facing my wife and kids if I did not finish the race. Something that we put so much effort into, all the sacrifices, time away from them and not completing the dream, no way! I had to show my kids that no matter what happens and how many times you fall, you have to stand up and keep going. No matter what.
SR: Most people would never sign up for something like this—so, what do you think it takes to bag a challenge like this?
GL: I do not think that this is something that anyone can do. Nor would I recommend just anyone to do it, unless something is wrong in your head. You do not train for this kind of thing just six months before—at least if you want to finish, and finish well and healthy. A good friend of mine, one of the craziest adventurers of our times, Antonio de la Rosa, once said, “You do not train for these things just six months or one year before the race. You train your whole life for it.”
For my entire life, I have been involved in sports. BMX, MTB, road cycling, road running, trail running, ultra marathons, all at the competitive level and just for fun. In addition to that, I worked 25 years in the adventure-travel industry. It takes commitment and dedication of long hours, days and nights training away from family and friends, a lot of mental power, resilience, and the most important of all: you must enjoy pain…. My motto: “Enjoy the suffering, it comes with the sport.”
SR: Any advice for other athletes thinking about trying challenges similar to The World’s Toughest Challenge, like the Death Race?
GL: First, make sure you have the commitment you need to do something like this. It’s not just about signing up. You need not only your own personal commitment, but also commitment from those around you. They will suffer the same (or more) than you. Train and keep training. It will never get easier; you will just be better prepared to deal with the uncertainty that lies ahead. Also, pick the right gear, and the best your pocket can afford. You need to have equipment that you can trust 100%, at all times. Finally, find the right team for you, but first, make sure to set what your personal goals are, then see if you can find a team with similar goals. Otherwise it will be a nightmare for everyone. And most of all, make sure you are at peace with your own demons before the race. You do not want to battle them during a race like that...no bueno.
SR: Surely under pressure, team conflict comes up—how do you handle it?
GL: There are always challenges and conflicts that come up. You are tired, same as the rest of the team. Plus, sleep deprived, hungry, low on energy, wet, hot—there are an endless number of challenges. We are all humans and have feelings, and our mood gets affected by this rollercoaster of emotions. I am normally a quiet person. I try not to talk much if I don’t have anything smart or interesting to say. I love to laugh and have as much fun as I can, even if stressed or tired. I guess it is a way of battling the demons. But sometimes it's difficult to stay positive and in a good mood. Even the most insignificant thing you say, or that someone says to you, can create a conflict.
I love mountain biking more than any other sport—going downhill (phew!) is the best feeling ever. I took off on one of the downhills like I usually do, thinking I would stop and wait for everyone at the first intersection I came to. Our navigator did not like that. We got into an argument where we both elevated our voices and yelled at each other. We both had our valid points, but we talked and solved the problem right then and there. A little tension stuck around for a day or so. That made me feel kind of down, as I did not want to be the person responsible for issues among the team. It was a rough day for me. I did not talk much and just did my part of the job. I was desperate to reach the transition and eat, rest and keep pushing hard.
SR: What about sleep—11 days is a LONG time without rest. How’d it go to perform utterly sleep deprived?
GL: Well, we had five, three-hour mandatory stops during the race, so we slept a bit during those stops. In total, I think we slept around 13-15 hours during the entire 11-day race. Racing with no sleep, believe it or not, is something that you can train also. You have to! It's hard. For me, it's harder when we are trekking. For some, it was during the long paddles we had.
SR: Would you do it again?
GL: Sign me up! When is it? Where? I AM ALL IN, 100%.
Dying to watch Linner crush this epic feat? Catch the new Amazon Original series, World’s Toughest Race: Eco Challenge Fiji series, premiering 8/14- only on Prime Video. Consider it your perfect rest-day motivation to stay Spartan Strong. AROO.
Real Spartan, Real Talk: Q&A with Gerhard Linner on Prime Video’s World's Toughest Race: Eco Challenge FIJI
By Patty Hodapp
