About the Atacama Crossing and UltraLite (Chile)

The Atacama Crossing is a 7-day, 250 km / 155 mile footrace that takes place in the incredible Atacama Desert of Chile. Over the seven days, competitors traverse salt flats, run down unforgettable sand dunes, go through narrow slot canyons, and experience starry nights under the watchful eye of Volcan Lincancabur in the foothills of the Andes mountains. The race takes you through Moon Valley, the Valley of Mars the Salar de Atacama and finally ends in the Town Square of the desert oasis of San Pedro de Atacama. UltraLite (Chile) is held alongside the Atacama Crossing for those who seek the challenge of an ultramarathon but with a more flexible format. The race offers adventure, endurance, and community—all in an awe-inspiring setting.

Itinerary

  • 02 Apr 2027

    Competitors Arrive in the host town (hotel provided)

  • 03 Apr 2027

    Race Check-In at Race Hotel

  • 04 Apr 2027

    Race Starts

  • 04 Apr 2027 - to - 10 Apr 2027

    Stage 1 - To - Stage 6 takes place

  • 10 Apr 2027

    Awards Banquet (hotel provided)

  • 11 Apr 2027

    Event Ends (travel home)

Featured Video

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Headlines

  • 11 Dec 2025 Photos Speak A Thousand Words

    Have a look at the photos of each Stage of the race to see the stunning scenery, challenging terrain and human emotions that you will experience at the Atacama Crossing.  It could be you running down that dune! 

  • 26 Nov 2025 UltraLite (Chile)

    After the success of the inaugural UltraLite race, this category will also be available in Chile, running alongside the full Atacama Crossing race. 

  • 12 Nov 2025 Everything You Need to Know at A Glance

    Find out everything you need to know on one page - from the dates and cost to the terrain, weather, fastest and slowest times, frequently asked questions and more.

  • 29 Oct 2025 Atacama Crossing Race Report

    This race report gives a stage by stage summary of the Atacama Crossing. If you're planning to join the race, this will help you know what to expect. 

  • 22 Oct 2025 This race was absolutely fantastic

    Karina Ragalie from Canada joined and completed the Atacama Crossing last month. After completing the race, she wants people to know that they don't have to wait eight years to get to the startline. "This wasn’t just a race. It was a journey of perseverance, dreaming big and doing something that I never thought was possible. The Atacama Crossing changed my life. And I know I’ll be back."

  • 15 Oct 2025 Make the Atacama Crossing Your Next Challenge

    See all the details about the Atacama Crossing including date, format, terrain temperatures, logistics, entry fee and what's included. 

  • 04 Oct 2025 RacingThePlanet: Greece has Concluded

    Vicki Connelly of the United Kingdom and Hiroyuki Matsuda of Japan have won!  Congratulations to all the competitors who participated in the 15th Edition of the RacingThePlanet Ultramarathon including those in the new UltraLite division.

  • 17 Sep 2025 Start Preparing Early

    There is still more than a year until the Atacama Crossing - but it's never too early to start to think about the preparations. This article gives an overview of what you need to think about and how to get started. 

  • 04 Sep 2025 The Amazing Host Town of San Pedro de Atacama

    The host town for the Atacama Crossing is San Pedro de Atacama - it is an oasis town in the middle of the desert where pizza and pisco sour make perfect partners, and friendly dogs roam the dusty streets among adobe buildings. It is one of the reasons people keep coming back to the Atacama Crossing. 

     

  • 13 Aug 2025 Stage Distances, Elevation, Terrain and More

    Have a look at the course details including distances each day, the elevation gain and loss and terrain. 

Photos

Experience a race through these
incredible photos