604,6 Kilometer in 123:21:10 hours.
From May 5 to May 10, we accompanied extreme athlete and Brooks ambassador Arda Saatçi on his extraordinary project: a multi-day run across California.
604.6 kilometers.
123:21:10 hours.
5 days.
4 shoes.
1 Cyborg.
Driven by his mantra, “You vs. You,” Arda never gave up and conquered the heat battle from Death Valley to the Santa Monica Pier through sheer willpower, an incredible team, and the overwhelming support of the entire community. With this journey, Arda took the next step on his path to becoming the "Face of Sports".
Red Bull Cyborg Season 2026
Millions of viewers followed the multi-day spectacle live and nonstop across social media, YouTube, Twitch, and Red Bull TV.
Every step. Every setback. Every moment.
Throughout the journey, Arda faced constant challenges: extreme temperature shifts, endless elevation gain, sleep deprivation, nutrition — and mental hurdles that weighed just as heavily. It all quickly took its toll and kept the community on edge. The tension was tangible. So much so that during the final kilometers toward the Santa Monica Pier, up to two million people were following along at the same time.
After more than 123 hours, the moment finally arrived: Arda crossed the finish line. He collapsed, fell into the arms of his beloved mom — and was celebrated by thousands of fans. The most emotional moment of all: a well-earned ice cream with his mom on Mother’s Day. A quiet, honest ending to an unbelievable journey.
With this project, Arda showed countless people that it’s worth fighting. To keep going. Or to simply start running — no matter how impossible it may seem.
As Arda himself says:
“I may have lost against time, but I will never lose against my inner demons.”
Thank you, Arda.
Arda's shoe line-up
This is Arda
Arda Saatçi is a German extreme athlete who is redefining endurance and mental strength. Born in Berlin in 1997, he is one of the most well-known ultra-athletes of his generation and captivates audiences worldwide with extraordinary running projects. Since September 2025, Brooks Running has been his exclusive footwear partner, supporting him every step of the way.
He gained international recognition no later than 2024 with an ultramarathon of more than 3,000 kilometers from Berlin to New York. Just one year later, he took on another exceptional challenge: running across Japan in 43 days, covering up to 80 kilometers per day—already predominantly in the Glycerin Max.
With his “Cyborg Seasons,” Arda continues to push physical and mental boundaries, inspiring people around the world to believe in themselves and take action.
Cyborg x Brooks
Arda Saatçi opened the Brooks Hyperion House at the Berlin Marathon 2025, sending a strong signal to the running community. Following the opening, the approachable extreme athlete took time for a personal Q&A and a meet & greet, where he shared insights into his projects and connected directly with his community.
Digitally, Arda reaches millions every day: 1.1 million followers on Instagram and 816,000 on YouTube follow his journey and challenges. His continuously growing community and his projects all pursue one clear goal — to become the “Face of Sports.” Arda will be taking part in more Brooks events later this year — stay tuned.