Atacama Crossing - Chile - July 2004

[ARReports]

The Atacama Crossing is reportedly the world's driest race, and was held in July 2004. The six-stage race in the Atacama Desert of Chile covered 150 miles, with checkpoints every 7 to 8 miles, and required competitors to carry all the food, gear and clothing that they needed for the entire duration of the race.

The RacingThePlanetwebsite has a good summary of the event:

...The course, designed by world-renowned multi-sport athlete, Ian Adamson, consisted of slot canyons, salt flats, small mountains and lunar-like landscape. Participants were treated to beautiful aqua-colored lagoons, snow-capped volcanoes, Inca ruins, near-freezing streams and even a rainbow in what is called the driest place on Earth. The event finished in the historic and fascinating town of San Pedro de Atacama...

http://www.racingtheplanet.com/atacamacrossing/summary.shtml

And there are some great photos from race elsewhere on the site:



http://www.racingtheplanet.com/atacamacrossing/photo_album_04.shtml