CALIFORNIA, Md. — Southern Maryland’s own Kami Bitting is making serious waves halfway around the world — thundering across the wild Mongolian steppe in what’s known as the toughest horse race on Earth: the Mongol Derby. At 1,000 kilometers (roughly 620 miles), it’s not just a test of horsemanship — it’s a brutal marathon of grit, endurance, survival skills and mental toughness. As of Day 1, Bitting is holding strong in ninth place, already showing the world what she’s made of.
But Kami isn’t just riding to chase a title. She’s racing to raise awareness of melanoma, carrying the Melanoma Research Foundation proudly on her sleeve.
Originally from New Hampshire, Bitting moved to Southern Maryland in 2017. A seasoned equestrian, she brings decades of experience training young horses, competing in eventing and coaching other riders. Her deep respect for equine partnership and cultural preservation shines through every mile.
The Mongol Derby is not your average endurance ride. It traces the path of Genghis Khan’s legendary horse messenger system, rebuilt to modern extremes. Riders are given semi-wild Mongolian horses, swapped out every 35 kilometers. They must navigate solo with GPS, brave unpredictable weather and rely on the hospitality of nomadic herder families to survive the journey. Each competitor carries no more than 5 kilograms of gear, meaning every item — from sleeping bag to snack — is chosen with military precision.
In a dramatic moment early in the race, Bitting and fellow rider Sam Phelps made a bold navigational move, turning back toward the incoming pack in search of a better route — while others pushed ahead. That risk may well pay off in the coming days.
From carrying anti-chafing cream to rationing emergency food, every decision on the steppe matters. And yet, even amid the rugged terrain, there are glimpses of humanity: Bitting and other riders are hosted at night by local families who open their homes and hearts — just as Khan’s messengers did centuries ago.
Whether she finishes in the top five or not, Bitting’s run in the 2025 Mongol Derby is already legendary back home. She’s showing the world what Southern Maryland grit looks like: tenacious, compassionate and unshakably determined.
Stay tuned as we follow her progress across the Mongolian wilderness, one hoofbeat at a time.
Want To Track The Race?
Follow the official Mongol Derby tracker to see where Kami and her fellow riders are in real time: https://equestrianists.com/live/
Learn more about the Melanoma Research Foundation and how to support her mission: https://melanoma.org/
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