ATACAMA CROSSING (CHILE)
250km / 155 mile, 6-Stage Ultramarathon

30 March - 5 April 2025

DAYS TO GO

Race Coverage

RACE Coverage

Atacama Crossing Home

Natasha FANSHAWE

Self-employed

United Kingdom

Sebastian LASSALLE

Triathlon Coach

Argentina

Raymond (Ken) ALDERDICE

Retired

United Kingdom

Hannah LYONMEARS

Clinical Research Doctor

United Kingdom

Carrie OWER

Retired

United States

Fiona BOLAND

Teacher

Australia

Antonio (Brito) TEIXEIRA

Engineer

Portugal

Arthur CHIN

Retiree

Malaysia

Monica ROSA

Emergency Room Nurse

United States

Kathryn (Katie) SANDERS

Doctor

United Kingdom

Ekaterina (Kate) THEISEN

Fitness Coach

Individual Neutral Athlete, Resident in Singapore

Radoslava (Rada) ZYRIANOVA

Nutritionist

Individual Neutral Athlete

Wendy HARDING

Realtor

South Africa

Monique JANSEN

Free Lance Marketing Consultant

Netherlands, Resident in Spain

Michael THEISEN

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Germany, Resident in Singapore

Maria GARCIA

physiotherapy student

United States

Iryna ZHAYVORONOK SOFILKANICH

Lawyer

Ukraine, Resident in Spain

Doreen HOFFMAN

Attorney

United States

Susana (Susi) ALVAREZ

Teacher/Nutritionist

Bolivia

Youn Jee KANG

LATAM Human Rights Officer

Korea (South), Resident in Peru

Timothy (Tim) NAYLOR

Employment-break (previously in financial communications)

United Kingdom

Samantha JACKSON

Executive Assistant

United Kingdom

Carly STEGGLES

Personal trainer and business owner

Australia

Mark MCINTOSH

Course Team / Physiotherapist

United Kingdom, Resident in New Zealand

Dante ARMEAGA

Lawyer / Teacher

Mexico

Sandra STRAUBE

Owner Manager of a market research company

Bolivia

Charlie LATHAM

Course Team / Writer

England

Manu-tara CABALLERO

firefighter

France

Jean Ann (Jeannie) KENDALL

Board Member /Global Response Medicine

United States

Natasha FANSHAWE

Self-employed

United Kingdom

Natasha Fanshawe calls herself a RacingThePlanet junky, stating that participating in the races is a life addiction. She has raced twice (in Jordan and Namibia) and volunteered eight times, including taking on a management role at The Last Desert 2018 and Gobi March (Mongolia) 2019.

She set up her own company, Light Style Space, as a declutterer where she helps people to get rid of unwanted stuff and simultaneously runs a sustainability network called "And The Future" with a friend. She also works on events when help is needed. If the event involves food or an adventure, she is there, and she thinks RacingThePlanet fulfills the latter. Amongst other job projects, Natasha has worked for the Olympic Committee in preparation for the London 2012 Olympics.

The races she has volunteered at previously include the Atacama Crossing 2011, RacingThePlanet: Iceland 2013, Ecuador 2015, Patagonia 2017, The Last Desert (Antarctica) 2018, Gobi March (Mongolia) 2019 and most recently RacingThePlanet: Lapland 2022. She has also completed RacingThePlanet: Jordan 2012 and the Namib Race 2016 as a racer. She is working herself up to racing in another event. Until then, we're thrilled to have her return as a volunteer for the ninth time at the Atacama Crossing 2025.

Sebastian LASSALLE

Triathlon Coach

Argentina

Seba arrives back at the Atacama Crossing for a third time as a volunteer. Seba is a triathalon coach in his home country of Argentina, and has completed several Ironman races himself, so is aware of the efforts it takes to push yourself beyond normal limits.

Raymond (Ken) ALDERDICE

Retired

United Kingdom

Raymond (Ken) Alderdice is a former insurance broker from Ireland. In 1974, at the age of 16, he started working and after 44+ years, he retired in 2018. Ken was looking for adventure during his retirement days and came across the Atacama Crossing on TV, and he thought that RacingThePlanet would be a really good place to start. He made his debut as a volunteer at the Gobi March (Mongolia) in 2019 where he was inspired to race himself. He set his sights on RacingThePlanet: Georgia 2020 and lost 10 kg as part of his preparation. After six thwarted attempts due to COVID restrictions and injury, he at last made it to the start of the Gobi March (Mongolia) 2024 for his first time as a competitor at a RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts Race. He has, however, volunteered on three more occassions, at the Namib Race 2021 and 2024, and the Atacama Crossing 2023. Ken is a keen traveller who loves the outdoors. He has been skiing every year since 1987 and plays golf all year round. You can also spot Ken sailing or doing volunteer work with disabled people. Ken says: "I want to see places that I wouldn't normally travel to and RacingThePlanet allows me to do that!"

Hannah LYONMEARS

Clinical Research Doctor

United Kingdom

Hannah is a UK-based medical doctor who is currently completing a PhD in traumatic brain injury. She has grown up supporting her family and triathlon club at various Ironman and other sporting events around the UK and abroad. She has completed triathlon and running races, and has been lucky enough to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, and the Himalayas in India and Nepal. Along with sporting pursuits, she loves travelling and musical theatre. The Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2025 is Hannah’s first time volunteering for a RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts event!

Carrie OWER

Retired

United States

Carrie Ower joins us for her first RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts event as a volunteer at the Atacama Crossing 2025. She was inspired to volunteer by being part of the Friends and Family Experience while watching her husband complete the Gobi March in Mongolia in 2023. For her second Friends and Family Experience, she watched her husband participate in The Last Desert (Antarctica) 2024, where she also took part in the inaugural Antarctica Ultramarathon. A retired employee benefits account executive, Carrie loves to travel and enjoys an active lifestyle that includes chasing after her three beautiful grandchildren, being her husband's (unofficial) copilot, walking and running. Her love of travel led to her providing SAG support for an epic cycling journey across Scotland for the NC500 in 2023. She is enthusiastically looking forward to supporting and cheering on all of the desert adventurers as they fulfill their dreams of competing in a 250K stage race across the desert.

Fiona BOLAND

Teacher

Australia

Fi hails from Queensland, Australia where she teaches English and helps victims of crime navigate the judicial system. Fi's RacingthePlanet journey started in Jordan at The 20-Year Race in 2024, where she signed up to help support her friend, Sallianne Powell, who is attempting to become the first Australian to complete the Grand Slam Plus. She appears to have contracted the RacingthePlanet bug and is back for her second race in 8 months.

Antonio (Brito) TEIXEIRA

Engineer

Portugal

Antionio "Brito" Teixeira is a mechanical engineer from Portugal who also has experience organising trail running events in Portugal and Cape Verde. The Atacama Crossing 2025 is first experience at a RacingThePlanet Ultramarathon.

Arthur CHIN

Retiree

Malaysia

Malaysian Arthur Chin recent retired as a partner after a 30-year career with KPMG in Malaysia. Arthur is an active member of Lions Clubs International providing him with great experience with volunteerism and humanitarian endeavors. Arthur is physically fit and an active long distance runner and trekker.

Monica ROSA

Emergency Room Nurse

United States

Monica is used to a hectic day's work, she spends her days as ER nurse in California. The Atacama Crossing will be Monica's third time as a volunteer, bringing her calm, efficient and energetic personality to help competitors and her volunteer teammates. Monica loves to travel, spending much of her time climbing the next mountain to see what's on the other side.

Kathryn (Katie) SANDERS

Doctor

United Kingdom

Katie qualified as a doctor in the UK but now finds herself in a ute, living in a roof-top tent, travelling around Australia. Katie has kept herself busy doing various medical roles in emergency departments and is doctor to a rugby team in Melbourne. This is Katie's first time as a volunteer having been introduced to the events by her good friend Hannah who is also part of the volunteer team.

Ekaterina (Kate) THEISEN

Fitness Coach

Individual Neutral Athlete, Resident in Singapore

Kate is looking forward to "doing it again" having volunteered for her first race at the Gobi March 2024. Multi-lingual Kate is a qualified professional photographer and is looking to become a fitness and running coach in Singapore where she lives with her husband, Michael, who is alo part of the volunteer team.

Radoslava (Rada) ZYRIANOVA

Nutritionist

Individual Neutral Athlete

Rada Radoslava loves life. She is an independent partner of "Herbalife Nutrition" which helps people lose wight and improve their overall well being. She has always been active and finds creative ways to do this together with her two children. She likes reading books, learning languages, bringing up her children in an active way, sports and travelling. Rada likes a good balance of being in noisy company and total silence. The Atacama Crossing 2025 is her first time at a RacingThePlanet event which she joins with her husband who is racing having finished 3rd in the Namib Race 2024.

Wendy HARDING

Realtor

South Africa

Wendy Harding joins us from South Africa for her second RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts event at the Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2025 having been a great volunteer at the Gobi March (Mongolia) 2024. She has been fascinated with RacingThePlanet events for many years. She is preparing to race herself at RacingThePlanet: Greece 2025 later this year.

Monique JANSEN

Free Lance Marketing Consultant

Netherlands, Resident in Spain

It's been 10 years since Monique last holidayed in the Atacama and she's pleased to be back and part of the volunteer team for her first time. Monique's freelance marketing business has kept her busy but she has managed to keep herself fit by running and hiking. Monique has lots of friends in the ultramarathon world and is looking forward to making some new ones at the Atacama Crossing.

Michael THEISEN

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Germany, Resident in Singapore

Michael has been inspired by his wife Kate, also a member of the volunteer team, to join up and be part of the Atacama Crossing. When not supervising the maintenance of aircraft, Michael can be found on a push bike, either on the trails or the road. Michael will have to put his bike in the garage if he is to achieve his ambition of competing in a RacingThePlanet event one day.

Maria GARCIA

physiotherapy student

United States

Maria arrives at the Atacama Crossing for her second RacingthePlanet event having previously volunteered in New Zealand in 2019. A graduate from Florida University in physiology and kinesiology, Maria is on a gap year before returning to study for a doctorate in physical therapy. Maria is the daughter of Hernan Garcia, a long time RacingthePlanet team member, who is a competitor in the race.

Iryna ZHAYVORONOK SOFILKANICH

Lawyer

Ukraine, Resident in Spain

Iryna Zhayvoronok Sofilkanich is from Ukraine but has lived in Spain for more than 20 years. She currently lives in Tenerife having grown up between Poland, Argentina and Barcelona. She loves travelling around the world which she has done since she was a child and speaks 8 (!) languages including English, Spanish, French and Italian very well - saying she is happy to learn a new one if needed! The Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2025 is Iryna's second time as a volunteer at a RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts ultramarathon - her "very sporty" husband is racing. She is a fast learner, easy going, first-aid qualified and will be a great help at the race.

Doreen HOFFMAN

Attorney

United States

Doreen Hoffman is an attorney from the United States. She is an ultramarathon and Ironman athlete who started her RacingThePlanet journey at the Sahara Race (Egypt) 2006. Doreen went on to join the Gobi March (China) 2008, RacingThePlanet: Iceland 2013, the Gobi March (Mongolia) 2019, Namib Race (Namibia) 2022 and The Last Desert (Antarctica) 2022. She also volunteered at the Gobi March (Mongolia) 2023. An all-round sportswoman, when she joined the 4 Deserts Club she said: "Anything that gets me outside is welcomed in my life!". We are delighted to welcome Doreen to the volunteer team for the Atacama Crossing 2025.

Susana (Susi) ALVAREZ

Teacher/Nutritionist

Bolivia

Bolivian Susi splits her time between teaching young children and being a part-time nutritionist. She is passionate about educating people of all ages to find a balance in their lives. Susi is multi-lingual and describes herself as a versatile team player. She will take the short trip over the border to Chile for her first race with us.

Youn Jee KANG

LATAM Human Rights Officer

Korea (South), Resident in Peru

Youn is a Korean based in Lima, Peru. Youn is always up for a challenge and looking for like-minded people to share experiences with. Youn keeps herself fit on the trails and she also does some rowing. We can promise Youn a challenge and some like-minded people on her first race as a volunteer. Though we're not sure there will be much rowing, we will make good use of her multi-lingual skills

Timothy (Tim) NAYLOR

Employment-break (previously in financial communications)

United Kingdom

Tim decided that long hours looking at four walls in an office day after day wasn't for him. So he pressed pause on that lifestyle in his London-based job and decided to travel Central and South America and see where life takes him. We can help Tim with some of his ambitions, meeting new people, having new experiences and challenges, but long hours are definitley on Tim's horizon at his first race as a volunteer.

Samantha JACKSON

Executive Assistant

United Kingdom

Samantha (Sam) Jackson from the United Kingdom joins the Atacama Crossing 2025 volunteer team for her third RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts race (in less than one year). She was inspired to join after her son, Charlie, volunteered at the Gobi March 2023 and joined herself at the Gobi March (Mongolia) 2024. She loved it so much that she then join volunteer team at RacingThePlanet: The 20-Year Race in September 2024 and is already excited to get back to the desert again. Sam has over 30 years' experience as an executive assistant. She is a keen athlete and enjoys meeting people from across the world.

Carly STEGGLES

Personal trainer and business owner

Australia

This short bio can't do justice to Carly's skills - she has a BA Hons in Architecture and was a certified accountant for KPMG. She binned all that to travel around Australia and find herself in the ultramarathon world running boot camps and training atheletes. Carly ticks all the boxes for a first-time volunteer at the Atacama Crossing.

Mark MCINTOSH

Course Team / Physiotherapist

United Kingdom, Resident in New Zealand

Briton Mark McIntosh is a physiotherapist from Gloucestershire in the United Kingdom. He is particularly interested in musculoskeletal and neurological rehabilitation, and integrates this with his role as an adaptive sports instructor. Mark speaks conversational French and Spanish, and previously joined the RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series volunteer team at the Gobi March (China) 2015, the Sahara Race (Nambia) 2016 and RacingThePlanet: New Zealand 2019. Mark is excited to rejoin the RacingThePlanet / 4 Deserts team at the Atacama Crossing 2025.

Dante ARMEAGA

Lawyer / Teacher

Mexico

Dante Armeaga is a lawyer who works for the Mexican Education Ministry in Toluca, one of the highest cities in Mexico. He was born and raised in Toluca, but has also spent time living in Singapore and London. His cousin ran the Gobi March and Dante was "blown away by what he told me", and he wants to experience a race himself. He is just getting into running but has decided to volunteer at his first RacingThePlanet Ultramarathon at the Atacama Crossing 2025.

Sandra STRAUBE

Owner Manager of a market research company

Bolivia

Sandra will have a short journey over the border from Bolivia to arrive at her first race, the Atacama Crossing. Sandra's son, Jorge, is competiting in the race having followed his mother's love of the outdoors and physical excerise. Sandra is looking forward to using her skills to help all competitors whilst enjoying the great outdoors.

Charlie LATHAM

Course Team / Writer

England

Charlie Latham from the UK is passionate about writing, running and events. He has worked at 60-80 events as both a volunteer and in paid positions over the last decade. Most of these events were music festivals but he has also worked on Ironman events, a couple of marathons, sports events and dog shows, among other. He has experience in almost every aspect of events and loves every part of putting on an event, and making the best experience possible for everyone attending. He is also a qualified counsellor and has worked in a residential mental health house for six months with people who had been in hospital for multi-year periods and were unable to care for themselves. Before the pandemic, he was on a mission to go around the world without flying, and after 2.5 years he had made it from London to Panama but unfortunately had to end the trip due to the pandemic. He has extensive travel experience and this has helped him to be adaptive to different experiences, and he gets along with almost everyone. Charlie is a runner, but nothing as crazy as a RacingThePlanet Ultramarathon, and he looks forward to bringing smiles and positive energy throughout the seven-day race. The Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2025 is Charlie's third time volunteering on the course team at a RacingThePlanet Ultramarathon having been on the course team at the Gobi March 2023 and RacingThePlanet: The 20-Year Race (Jordan) 2024.

Manu-tara CABALLERO

firefighter

France

Jean Ann (Jeannie) KENDALL

Board Member /Global Response Medicine

United States

ATACAMA CROSSING (CHILE) 250km / 155 mile, 6-Stage Ultramarathon

DAYS TO GO

Race Coverage

RACE Coverage

Natasha FANSHAWE

Self-employed

Sebastian LASSALLE

Triathlon Coach

Raymond (Ken) ALDERDICE

Retired

Hannah LYONMEARS

Clinical Research Doctor

Carrie OWER

Retired

Fiona BOLAND

Teacher

Antonio (Brito) TEIXEIRA

Engineer

Arthur CHIN

Retiree

Monica ROSA

Emergency Room Nurse

Kathryn (Katie) SANDERS

Doctor

Ekaterina (Kate) THEISEN

Fitness Coach

Radoslava (Rada) ZYRIANOVA

Nutritionist

Wendy HARDING

Realtor

Monique JANSEN

Free Lance Marketing Consultant

Michael THEISEN

Aircraft Maintenance Engineer

Maria GARCIA

physiotherapy student

Iryna ZHAYVORONOK SOFILKANICH

Lawyer

Doreen HOFFMAN

Attorney

Susana (Susi) ALVAREZ

Teacher/Nutritionist

Youn Jee KANG

LATAM Human Rights Officer

Timothy (Tim) NAYLOR

Employment-break (previously in financial communications)

Samantha JACKSON

Executive Assistant

Carly STEGGLES

Personal trainer and business owner

Mark MCINTOSH

Course Team / Physiotherapist

Dante ARMEAGA

Lawyer / Teacher

Sandra STRAUBE

Owner Manager of a market research company

Charlie LATHAM

Course Team / Writer

Manu-tara CABALLERO

firefighter

Jean Ann (Jeannie) KENDALL

Board Member /Global Response Medicine

Natasha FANSHAWE

Self-employed

Sebastian LASSALLE

Triathlon Coach

Raymond (Ken) ALDERDICE

Retired

Hannah LYONMEARS

Clinical Research Doctor

Carrie OWER

Retired

Fiona BOLAND

Teacher

Antonio (Brito) TEIXEIRA

Engineer

Arthur CHIN

Retiree

Monica ROSA

Emergency Room Nurse

ATACAMA CROSSING (CHILE)
250km / 155 mile, 6-Stage Ultramarathon