An amazing race
Samantha Gash competing in Egypt
While most law students do a bit of running around while completing their degree, few students take it as far as Monash University law student Samantha Gash, who recently completed a series of races that have taken her as far as Antarctica and the Sahara Desert.
Racing the Planet was established in 2002 and aims to challenge individuals to go beyond their athletic frontiers through sporting events including the 4 Deserts series, in which competitors race in the Gobi Desert in China, the Atacama Desert in Chile, the Sahara Desert in Egypt and Antarctica.
Time Magazine recently ranked the 4 Deserts series as number two on their list of the world's top endurance events.
While Samantha had previously undertaken road marathons, she was drawn to compete in the grueling Racing the Planet 4 Deserts series to take her out of her comfort zone.
"I was initially drawn into entering the first race of the series, in the Atacama Desert in Chile, as a significant extension from my training in road marathons. I liked the idea of trail/desert running and being completely out of my comfort zone - which in theory this race was supposed to be. However the Racing the Planet Series manages to entice competitors from all over the world and where I have made a great number of friends from," Samantha said.
Samantha has also used the races as an opportunity to raise money for two charities she is particularly committed to - Connecting With Indigenous Communities and the Royal Children's Cystic Fibrosis Research Trust.
When not racing around the globe, Samantha continues to work on her double degree in Performing Arts (Honours) and Law at Monash and as a research clerk at city-based law firm, Baker and McKenzie, where she has been offered a graduate place when she graduates.
To further her travel experiences as well as her educational opportunities, Samantha is hoping to complete her final three subjects at Monash University's campus in Malaysia.
Samantha has found considerable support available to her as she set out on her goal to become the first woman and youngest person to complete the 1000km 'Racing the Planet' series.
"There is no doubt that undertaking my final studies in law and racing all over the globe has been a challenge but being a part of the Elite Athlete Support Program has enabled me to coordinate and compliment my racing and academic schedules. Both are very important to me and it is great that Monash values students wanting to pursue both avenues," Samantha said.
Despite already conquering so much of the world on foot, Samantha is not about to rest on her laurels. She is busy planning to take part in number of races in Australia and around the world, including La Ultra - The High, which is an ultra marathon in the foothills of the Himalayas, covering a total distance of 222km.
Samantha will be entering the race with her running partner, Lisa Tamati from New Zealand, and with a handful of other female competitors, Samantha will be vying for the title of the first female to complete the High - the world's highest race.
With only a handful of subjects to go until completing her studies, Samantha is hopeful that she will be able to continue her racing and balance it with her future career, but in the meantime, she will continue to enjoy pushing herself onto the next big race.
To follow Samantha's races, visit her blog http://samanthagash.com
For further information on the La Ultra- The High, visit http://www.thehigh.in/The_High/index.html