STAGE 1 UPDATE

Stage length 35.2km

The Atacama Crossing has earned a reputation as the toughest of the 4 Deserts series and if today was anything to go by, it’s unlikely to lose that notoriety in a hurry. This first day of the 2009 event has been nothing short of epic. A human drama played out against what must be one of the most staggeringly beautiful backdrops on the planet.  

Competitors arriving at the first camp in the Arcoiris Valley last night were talking in hushed tones about the particularly challenging nature of this event, even those who had done it before. The altitude was foremost in their minds, as its insidious effects could be felt just wandering around the site. It was also extremely cold – no surprise really given the camp’s lofty 3,000 metre position.

After a welcome meal and some local music, competitors were pretty quick to hit the sack. Understandable, given what lay ahead for them, but there was still time to soak up the views and get a feel for the terrain they would be crossing. The yellow start-line banner fluttered in the chilly breeze, flanked by flags from all the nations that had representatives taking part. Seeing that banner on the approach to the campsite quickened many a pulse. And nobody failed to notice it was perched on what looked like the edge of a cliff.

As dawn crept across the rose-coloured cliffs of the valley, competitors emerged from their tents shivering and clad in layers and layers of clothes to sort breakfast out and prepare for this most momentous of days.

Race Director Zac Addorisio, from organisers, RacingThePlanet, delivered a quick briefing on the rules and regulations for the event to the happy, but slightly tense, entrants. Then Medical Team Director, Dr Grant Lipman, covered some of the health essentials for safe and successful participation – hydration, food intake, camp hygiene and so on.

“To receive IV treatment, you have to throw up two times, in front of a doctor, and you can’t use your hands,” he said, emphasising with typical humour the need to take personal responsibility for fluid intake in the thin air and furnace like heat.

Veteran of 4 Deserts races, Alasdair Morrison, followed with a briefing on the day’s stage. There would be three main legs of 10.8km, 10.7km and 10.2km, he said, followed by a short run of 3.5km between Checkpoint Three and the finish at Camp Inca. He warned competitors they would face a climb to 3,316 metres – the highest point in the entire race – before they reached more open ground. Then they would travel through rock canyons, peppered with ancient rock art, before the final haul towards camp.

Then it was time to go. At 0800hrs on the dot and with local musicians providing some appropriate atmosphere, the event began. Eighty-two competitors from 20 nations charged off down the very steep drop at the start before sensibly settling into their pace. Many had been feeling sick with the altitude and this was no day for sprinting.

That said, very early on it became apparent that Australian competitor Damon Goerke was aiming to put his stamp on the event. He took a quick lead and was never caught the entire day.

“The altitude didn’t seem to affect me too much,” said 35-year Damon, recovering in his tent afterwards. “I was a bit surprised to be running on my own.”

And although his girlfriend Fleur Grose, also from Australia, wasn’t feeling too well at dawn, she was first woman through all the checkpoints -and 12th competitor overall.

“I was feeling pretty sick and wasn’t sure I’d be able to start,” she said. “I just plodded along.”

Spain’s Team Lleidaextrem looked strong throughout the day and appeared pretty fresh when they crossed the finish line as the first team home.

Getting a very different perspective on the series she created was RacingThePlanet’s Founder and CEO, Mary Gadams. After many years developing these events, she was finally getting to run one.

“I’ve forgotten how tough this is,” said Mary as she crossed a vast open area before the rock canyons. “There was lots of scrambling and I’ve already taken my first tumble, so I’ve got some scraped elbows. Otherwise I’m pretty good.”

What undoubtedly made the greatest impression on the field was that very first leg, with its steep climb. It was the element of the course that most competitors seemed to be focusing on when asked for some en-route feedback.

English competitor Richard Weremiuk said: “That was the toughest first mile of any race I’ve been in. It just killed me, so I’ve decided to really back off until there’s a nice flat or downhill bit and just get through today.”

Not backing off in the slightest, as ever, was everyone’s favourite veteran competitor, Laurence Brophy from Wales. The Atacama Crossing 2009 is the 76-year-old retired teacher’s third 4 Deserts event. He arrived at Checkpoint One with bleeding knuckles, having falling on the descent after the stage’s tough early climb.

“I was very surprised to have to use my hands,” said Laurence, who was actually sick after his tumble. “I managed to get up all right, but I hurt my hands. Still, I felt better for the rest. I’ll keep on fighting.”

And keep on fighting he did, finishing the stage late on in the evening. Last across the line he might have been, but he got the biggest round of applause yet. There was also a massive reception for Michelle Johnson of the USA who finished just ahead of Laurence. She’d been struggling with her breathing at Checkpoint One and looked in real trouble. Anyone who undertakes an event such as this is courageous, but Michelle and Laurence won particular respect today. Their refusal to stop in the face of adversity is an example of the purest human spirit.

“Today was an extremely challenging day for competitors,” reflected Zac Addorisio. “We’ve had a lot of heat issues. The altitude and the climbing was definitely a challenge. All in all, the competitors in camp are in good spirits. They were really pleased with the stage and they’re all looking forward to day two tomorrow.”

If competitors are expecting much of a let-up tomorrow though, they’ll probably be disappointed. The wind howling across Camp Two Inca tonight is a reminder that, despite its astounding beauty, the Atacama is the boss.