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Marisa Rodriguez

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Atacama Crossing (2025) blog posts from Marisa Rodriguez

29 December 2024 03:07 pm (GMT-08:00) Pacific Time(US & Canada); Tijuana

A few years ago, I decided that my 40s was a decade to pursue epic adventures. I curated a cool to-do list, including the Namib Race, a 250-kilometer stage-race across the oldest desert in the world (the Namib desert), which I completed in 2022. The country of Namibia, the race, and the people I met there were pure magic.  

Almost three years later, I get to do a similar race at the driest nonpolar desert on Earth, the Atacama Desert in Chile. This time, I will share the adventure with my amazing husband, Ed.

 

We’re so excited to embark on this seven-day, self-supported adventure (yes, we get to carry all our stuff, including food, sleeping bags, clothes, and other mandatory equipment) and explore the Arcoiris Valley, salt flats (often described as “frozen broccoli”), sand dunes, and everything else this desert has to offer.

 

I’m especially excited to reunite with some of the friends I made in Namibia and meet other like-minded individuals from all over the world whose idea of fun is running across a desert, without access to the internet or showers for a whole week.

 

We will get to update our families and friends through this blog. I can’t wait to share this adventure with anyone who is interested in following us. And, who knows, you might be inspired to join us next time (likely the Gobi March in Mongolia?).  

  

I'll end this post with pictures of our training: Ed with his backpack and me just enjoying the beautiful Nevada Mojave Desert. 

 

P.S. One lesson I learned in Namibia is that your 40s is not the last decade when you can do these types of adventures. Many of my fellow runners, who were in their 60s and 70s, were faster than me. Here’s to many more decades of adventures!

 

Comments: Total (5) comments

Mariella Bueno

Posted On: 07 Jan 2025 10:19 pm

Iā€™m so excited for the both of you to experience this great adventure together! Iā€™m so inspired by the both of you. Keep up the great work!

Rafael P.

Posted On: 03 Jan 2025 11:00 am

You will never cease to amaze me! I will follow your adventure in Chile closely!!!

RacingThePlanet Team

Posted On: 30 Dec 2024 09:28 am

We are excited to see you again and to meet Ed. Great first blog - and it is so true, age is no barrier, especially in your 40's!

Vincent N.

Posted On: 30 Dec 2024 04:57 am

Best of luck! The Atacama Desert šŸœļø truly sounds like a very exciting adventure!

Isabel Rodriguez

Posted On: 30 Dec 2024 12:01 am

So Sick šŸ˜
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