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Atacama Crossing Blogs 2013

Sanya Kongmunvattana

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Atacama Crossing (2013) blog posts from Sanya Kongmunvattana

11 March 2013 06:15 am (GMT+07:00) Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta

I'm writing this blog from a peaceful corner in the lobby of the event hotel La Casa de Don Tomas. It is the morning after the short run to the finish at town square and closing banquet. Yesterday was much joyous and emotional for many which mark the end of another great race. Most competitors has already left very early in the morning.

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Alina B

Posted On: 11 Mar 2013 01:52 am

Sanya - From the Sahara Race to the Atacama Desert, it's truly been a pleasure having you at the races. You have done brilliantly at each... and always with a smile. This is a wonderful blog post - many thanks for the kind words. Looking forward to seeing you again soon (in Bangkok or another desert)!

08 March 2013 02:12 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Greeting from final camp of Atacama Crossing 2013. I crossed the finish line of stage 5 (a.k.a the long march) yesterday at 22:55 which was just under 15 hours for 74km total. It was certainly a trying day start with running through the salted lake right from the start. I probably don't have to tell you what salted water would do to feet filled with blister but the coldness of water did help numb the pain a bit. The really hard part came afterward though. It was kilometers of salt flat which, not only impossible to run on, it put the risk of twist ones ankle and torn the shoes. It took hours to get through with sheer amount of concentration but I eventually made it and move on to next section with soft sand and steep climb upto 10 stories of sandy hill. It went on for over 20 km till I reach checkpoint 5 which was the resting point but I decided to press on to the finish line with just 20km left. At first, it was mind numbling with long hours I had been through and sudden drop in temperature. But then I was joined with 2 british gentlements and another one from Mexico. The four of us were banded together and marched through the last section while help kept each other focus till cross the finish line. It was really a great moment and make it all truely worthwhile.

At the moment, all competitors already cross finish line safely within time limit and resting for the day. Tomorrow, we will all march the last 8km to Sanpedro de Atacama town to mark the end of the race and get the real food and real bed we all deserve.

I, hopefully, will sign-in again from there and log my final blog to officially close my journey.
Until then...

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06 March 2013 02:35 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hello everyone, I’m writing this blog from camp 5 after finish blisters care and fill myself with electrolyte.

It was supposed to be a difficult day due to salt flat which should make it extremely hard to run. But with lots of forerunners (benefit of being slow runner), there was literally a path made almost the entire course.

A lots of runners decided to take it easy today in preparation for the longest stage tomorrow. I did the same and finish almost at the same time as yesterday though I feel fresher and still got lots in reserve.

Tomorrow is promising to be an interesting day for it being the longest one fill with difficult terrains. But I’m as ready as I will ever be. So, no worry, I will be sure to cross the finish line safely and return home soon.

The next time I update this blog would most likely be after it’s all over and done. I will be sure to share what I have learn from the event as always. So, stay tune and wish me luck.

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05 March 2013 02:40 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Greeting from camp 4 at the end of stage 3. Thanks for all the email and words of encouragement.
Today course was a bit challenge with soft footing and sand dunes couple with lots of elevation change. So it was quite taxing onn the lake but, since I kept with my comfortable pace, it was no problem at all. Unfortunately, my sand gaiter got bang up pretty bad and lots of sand got in my shoes hence blisters.

I did the taping on my feet and it should be ok for tomorrow. Although the course tomorrow rated difficult to extreme difficult, which means anything is possible. Anyhow, I will continue to keep at it and maintain my pace to preserve for the long march in last stage.

So, wish me luck and I will be back with more update tomorrow. Until then.

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04 March 2013 03:48 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hello again. I'm writing this blog from camp 3 after finish stage 2 which was rated moderate to difficult. The finished time was slightly over 8 hours. The majority of time spent was between start to CP1 which consist of multiple river crossing and at some point wade through it for serveral meters. Most competitors just keep with their running shoes but I decided to change to sport sandal. The result was that I moved much slower but managed to minimize the blister on both feet. The point from CP1 to CP2 were very challenging with steep ascend but reward by spectacular scenery. Although, the remaining section till camp site were quite plain, the camp site is overlooking the lake which is very tempting to dip in. But it's a salt lake, so not a good idea to jump in.
Anyhow, I managed to survive stage 2 with a bit sore muscles but overall still okay and ready to go for another day.

tomorrow promise to be another hard long day but I will keep push on as alway.
Until then...

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03 March 2013 04:32 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

I'm back with my daily update as usual. We start stage 1 today and it called navigation by rock. As the name imply, it was route filled with pebbles and stones that could easily flip your ankle if you weren't focus. Anyway, other than that it was standard day 1 easy to moderate course and the temperature was quite favourablefor me. It wasn't as hot as in Sahara but surely better than in Gobi. The unofficial temperature was 39 degree calcius.

I managed to make a good start but bit of problem with my stomach and finished after 5 hours 25 minutes and blister free so far.
Tomorrow stage two will have lots of water crossing and blister is sure to come. So, as always, wish me luck and I will try my best to finsh safe, strong and, most important, having fun.
Until tomorrow..

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02 March 2013 02:49 am (GMT+08:00) Beijing, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Urumqi

Hello, as promise, I'm back with report from camp 1.
This morning start rather calm since competitors got split into four different hotels.The briefing was informative as usual and everyone were really eager to get going. After that, it was competitors check-in and equipments check which took couple of hours for all competitors to finish. I was fortunate to be in first group and got to relax till departure time at 3pm.

The ride from hotel to camp 1 was uneventful one and a half hour with the usual pee-line routine. Once at camp site, everyone got settle in and now I got to meet all my tentmates. They are all friendly and all very excite to get start.

All in all, it's been a good day and I'm now at the real start line ready to go tomorrow. So, as usual, pray for me and wish me luck. Until tomorrow, I wish you all well and see you again soon.

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02 March 2013 02:49 am (GMT-03:00) Brasilia

I'm writing this blog from lobby of hotel La Casa de Don Tomas in San Pedro de Atacama. It's been a very long and taxing journey to get here but strange enough that the tiredness is now gone. This is most likely the the work of adrenaline knowing the race will start soon. The briefing and equipments check will start in couple of hours then follow by a ride to start line in Atacama desert. My next update will be from camp1 where my true journey will begin. Bye for now and wish me luck

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Bradley Bull

Posted On: 02 Mar 2013 09:20 am

hey brother, i never seen your name on the list for entries, so good to be doing yet another desert with you. I will see you soon at the start line. brad

01 March 2013 09:24 am (GMT-03:00) Brasilia

After 16,000 miles over the past 48 hours, I've arrived safely in Chile Santiago SCL airport. It's now just one more flight to Calama and an hour bus ride till I reach San Pedro de Atacama which is a host town for Atacama Crossing 2013. The next time I check-in,hopefully, would be from the event head quarter at La Casa de Don Tomas.

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