RUNDER

RUNDER ELITE 
MARK SLATS

Mark is a Dutch adventurer, ocean rower, and world sailor. His extraordinary endurance and achievements in extreme water-based challenges render him as one of the world’s top ocean athletes. 

Having had the opportunity to catch up with Mark, literally, and getting to sit and listen to his story is deeply moving. Just a short conversation will get you feeling like you could be doing more. He is a humble man, determined and fears very little when it comes to endurance and pushing human limits. His capability to pull apart massive challenges he throws himself into is remarkable and utterly inspiring. He's a husband, a father, a business owner (The Ocean Rowing Company) and a real champion of a human.
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Mark, where do we start? For our readers who don't know you yet, who are you and what do you do?

I’m Mark Slats, Dutch endurance athlete, ocean rower and solo sailor. I’ve crossed the Atlantic Ocean 17 times, including three crossings during the World’s Toughest Row. I’ve also sailed solo and non-stop around the world without GPS, and I regularly push my limits through ultra-endurance challenges like completing 10 Ironmans in 10 days. Whether on land or sea, I live to test what’s humanly possible.

Can you share a bit about what motivates you to put yourself into these mammoth challenges and extreme situations?

I believe real growth only happens when you get uncomfortable. Out there—days or weeks from land—you meet a version of yourself that most people never see. My motto is: Be stronger than your own excuse. 

 

That’s what drives me, whether I’m in a storm in the Southern Ocean or dragging myself through the last kilometers of an Ironman.
 

In a peak training block, what does a typical day of training look like for you? 

On intense training days, it’s all about structure and volume. I split sessions between endurance (rowing, cycling, or running), strength work, and recovery. In the peak weeks, I train up to 30 hours per week alongside a full-time job—all within a strictly structured plan that balances intensity, rest, and progression.

 

Sometimes I simulate the conditions I’ll face on expedition—long hours, minimal rest, basic food—so my body adapts before the real challenge begins. It’s never easy, but that’s exactly the point.

Mark your achievements span quite far back. We want to hear about them ALL!

2002: Winner of The Australian Tough Men competition

2002 – 2003: Sailing from Australia to the Netherlands with my dog ​​Sam

2004 – 2005: Solo non-stop round trip around the world in 205 days

2010 – 2014: Sailing from the Netherlands to New Zealand

2017: World record solo rowing. World record solo rowing during the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (now known as The World’s Toughest Row).

2018: 2ND in the Golden Globe Race. Henk Bezemer award solo sailor of the year (North Sea Club).

2019: Published my first book ‘Held op Zee’, written by Micha Jacobs. 1st in the The Azores and Back Yacht Race. 1st in the ‘Kustzeilers 24h’ sailing race. Awarded for the 2nd time with the Cape Horn award. Nominee for the Conny van Rietschoten Trophy.

2020:  World record duo rowing During the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge. (Now known as The Worlds Toughest Row)

2021: 3 Iron Mans in 3 days

2022: 10 Iron Mans in 10 days

2024: 1st in the World's Toughest Row (4p).

The Ocean Rowing Company, please share more about what you guys do here and let's take a look at your control centre of a workshop.

At The Ocean Rowing Company, we design, build, and maintain ocean rowing boats that are the Formula 1 cars of the sea—engineered for speed, strength, and performance in the toughest conditions on earth. Our workshop is where it all happens: from custom carbon parts to testing, fixing, and fine-tuning every detail. 

 

We help athletes prepare technically, physically, and mentally for their crossings—whether it’s a single crossing, multiple crossings, nonstop around the world, Pacific, Atlantic, or unsupported journeys. It’s not just my man cave—it’s a mission control centre.
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How does Runder fit into your lifestyle and on your adventures.

When you're burning thousands of calories a day, you need honest, protein-rich fuel that works anywhere—on land or at sea. Runder fits into my life because it’s compact, clean, and made for performance. It’s a serious part of how I stay strong, especially when my body’s telling me to quit.

What your  favourite Runder product?

The runder biltong droë wors. It’s packed with protein, easy to carry, and it tastes great even after a full day of rowing. It’s my go-to snack—whether I’m mid-ocean, training hard, or in the workshop fixing gear.

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