Atacama Desert – It’s finally here.

Well it’s finally time to head off on another adventure. After wetting my desert appetite with the Sahara race in 2010, I’m now ready to take on the driest desert in the world in another 250km, self supported footrace.

Event Details:

  • 250km endurance footrace
  • 6 stages held over 7 days
  • Competitors are self-supporting, carrying all their own equipment and food over seven days. Only water and a place in a tent are provided as well as medical and operational support.
  • The winner is determined by the overall time taken to complete the 6 stages
  • 150 Competitors from 40 nations.

Starting at the highest point of the course, at an altitude of 3,300 meters / 10,500
feet, the race takes competitors through canyons and valleys (including the Valley
of Death and the Valley of the Moon), up old Inca roads, past salt lakes and small
villages, and across sand dunes, salt flats and rivers. Always under the watchful
eye of Volcan Licancabur, competitors will race more than 1 mile above sea level
and finish in the delightful town of San Pedro de Atacama.

 

atacama_crossing

I’m trading my caveman diet: pic below – Roast lamb with beans and cracked pepper!!

20130225_205422

 

For these tasty treats – freeze dried goodness. 800 cal packs!! Great calorie to weight ratio coming in at more than 4 calories per gram. Mmm Mmm. Tasty, calorific goodness.

Freeze Dried Food

 

One of my great friends, Mark Power, is joining me on this adventure which is going to make it even more fun. Mark’s wife has joined my wife in the UK whilst we are away and I’m sure there will be much planning whilst we are tackling the elements. Both Mark and his wife Nessy and Emma and I are expecting this July so life is about to change big time. No more desert runs for a while!

We are joining friend and fellow Sahara competitor, Matt Moroz, in the desert. Matt has recently been selected for the Team GB Ultra running team and is set for a strong race in the desert. He’s hoping to take out the top spot in the race but it will be a battle with a strong field of competitors.

Follow Matt’s blog here: https://confessionsofanobsessiverunner.wordpress.com/

Matt’s article below in the current edition of Runners World.

Matt Moroz Runner World Article

 

Right, time to turn up the heat!

Emma will update my blog whilst I’m away. I get to send an email a day from a satellite linked computer so please continue to read if you want to hear about some hot, sandy tales!

 

 

 

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5 Responses to “Atacama Desert – It’s finally here.”

  1. You are the maddest bloke I know. You are also the fittest hardest bloke I know. Fire up and nail that top 10! Most of all enjoy the experience and remember – all lows will pass and the highs will come again!

  2. Totally inspired by the comments above! Do it for you & what you represent!

  3. All the best , Richard. Have a safe and enjoyable adventure. We will be keeping up with your progress as before.

    Love

    Mum and Dad

  4. Rich, now your head’s goin to get sunburnt!!! All the very best, we’ll be thinking of you and following the race everyday. You are an inspiration,all the hard training is done now go and enjoy the race. Sending you lots of love! The Taylortribe xxxx

  5. Richard and Barbara Reply March 4, 2013 at 7:54 am

    Welcome to Chile where we are sure it is anything but.

    Looks like you have had a great start, run like the wind and enjoy.

    Following daily blogs with great interest.

    Richard and Barbara

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