Newsletter
Online Store
Login
Race Coverage
Race Coverage
RACE Coverage
Atacama Crossing Blogs 2025
5
PostsAtacama Crossing (2025) blog posts from Mathew Reynolds
04 April 2025 06:00 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago
Thanks for the kind words everyone, really appreciate the emails and blog comments! Long march was tough, but paced myself and was overall very happy with the result. That biltong really saved me on the long march, was the only thing I was able to stomach and was amazing at the 50km mark.
The stage was actually quite nice, going through a couple plains before hitting that 100m elevation due at around the 40km mark - I actually really enjoyed it and kept telling myself that it was the just like the hill back home in Knysna. Those salt plains across the ridge of the dune going onto the other side of the range was intense, the salt reflected the sun and I got sunburnt from underneath which was great. Feet are holding up, I re taped all my toes before the long march and am not going to take them off before the end, I think a couple nails will come with it. I didn’t use the poles throughout the entire race until the last 15km yesterday, but it was totally worth carrying the extra weight. Was only running in the dark for around an hour, so wasn’t too bad but the wind was pretty intense which hid some of the reflective tape on the flags.
Legs are feeling good, its a really awkward 18km distance for the last stage but the rest day will really help. Again, thanks for all the emails everyone, really looking forward to the shower and beer tomorrow.
02 April 2025 09:10 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago
I know I have been warned about this stage, but it was f-ing brutal. Those salt flats were really hard on the calves, I hit my toes on quite a few of those things and have counted at least 4 toenails that are coming off in the next couple days / weeks. Tried to alternate between running and walking after the flats, set myself a time of 8 hours to come in and just about made it. My traps and back are absolutely killing me at the moment, got some strap burn and some tasty blisters on my shoulder so am going to cover it up for tomorrow. I wore my long skins today to save myself from the sunburn, think I will do it again.
Have also been running a low grade fever at night, so have been taking some pain meds to help with that. Also will never have beef stroganoff again, felt so bad last night but had to keep it in otherwise I knew I would suffer today. Feeling ok for tomorrow, aim at this stage is just to finish, which means keeping enough juice in the legs for the massive dune at the 50km mark. Should be fun…
Good luck on the MDS mum!!! 7kg pack is lighter than any I have heard of over here, I’m sure you are going to kill it! Thanks everyone for the messages, I already have my first meal planned Ronan and am going to pass out after one beer. Honestly Dad, this race is so much harder without having a constant running buddy, really a test of the mentals at this stage as my body was worse during Gobi. In my mind, tomorrow is the last day so just going to push through.
Comments: Total (5) comments
David Grosse
Posted On: 03 Apr 2025 02:29 pm
Matt
Epic work so far, and by the time you read this you will have completed the long day, and hence can chill out before a short hop into San Pedro.
Hopefully you have gone suitably slow on the long day to be able to enjoy the stars at night. Rest assured that Andy and myself toasted you in the Captains Bar yesterday - important to keep hydrated. Enjoy the rest of the event. Nearly there...
Nadine Rolland
Posted On: 03 Apr 2025 01:36 pm
Hi Matthew - you would have completed the long run by the time you see this message. Hope you had a good run, and that all the body parts are intact. Enjoy your rest day tomorrow, and then you are nearly done. xx
Andrew Reynolds
Posted On: 03 Apr 2025 06:49 am
Hi Matt, well done, this was a tough stage. You are position 31 so far after stage 4, that’s great. You know what to do on the long day… I hope you have a strong finish. Awesome effort so far, keep it up.
I don’t know what mum is talking about moon valley - I was the one still running when the moon came out - she saw the moon from her tent! 🤣🤣
Good luck for tomorrow, be strong.
Dad
Yolande Hansen
Posted On: 03 Apr 2025 05:12 am
Hey Mat by the time you read this you will have completed the longest day !!! I am sure you would have done well - sounds very tough ...I a sure that ice cold beer is going to be great 👍 take care of yourself and sending lots of love
Lara Reynolds
Posted On: 03 Apr 2025 02:35 am
Hey Matthew, ouch - is all I can say. Reading some of the other blogs today it sounds as if everyone had a tough time. You are doing really great though and I am 100% sure you are going to get through this.
This is the thing about ultras - it is more of a mental game and especially if you are doing it solo! But there is no progress without making yourself very uncomfortable and you can now tick that box - X2!
The long day is stunning though and there are sections that are very runnable - just pace yourself and when you go through the Moon Vally - take a moment and enjoy it. Especially if it is around sunset.
By the time you read this I suppose you would have been done with the long day!
01 April 2025 08:11 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago
Absolutely brutal day, started off strong with some runnable spots on the road - body was feeling good and the knee was holding up. Hit the flats where the terrain was rocky and muddy so walked the majority of it. Once we hit the real sandy parts it got a bit tougher, and just before checkpoint 4 (they added another one given the heat) there was a monster dune you had to go up - absolutely killed my legs and felt absolutely spent after that with another 5km to go which was tough.
Apparently yesterday, at the peak of the day, the thermometer reached 41 degrees - I made it in yesterday before the peak (around 2pm) but today was out on the dunes at that time. Tomorrow will be much slower, I am going to take it very chill and prep myself for the long march, really just looking to finish the race at this point.
Thank you everyone for the kind messages / emails and the words of support, it means a lot and is really appreciated.
Comments: Total (3) comments
Ronan Reynolds
Posted On: 02 Apr 2025 10:43 am
Onya Matt, really strong showing for these 3 stages. I imagine the end of the long march will be a much awaited respite when it rolls around. Keep an eye out for that foot placement 👍
Andy Reynolds
Posted On: 02 Apr 2025 03:24 am
Matt, good stuff man. I did warn you about the heat on the salt flats and the rough terrain. It’s good that you are pacing yourself and looking after your body. Take it easy tomorrow and nail the long march.
Good luck
Dad
Lara Reynolds
Posted On: 02 Apr 2025 02:00 am
Hey Matt - you are doing really well!!! You are sort of half way, so you can do this and be clever and listen to your body. Save those knees for the long day. There is a massive dune in there just after half way if I remember right, but you should get your Coca Cola after that.
I am sitting at the airport waiting for my flight to London - I got my bag in just over 7kg, but I am hoping to get it down a bit more once there.
Seeing all the drone footage of Atacama makes me really excited for MDS.
You’ve got this!
31 March 2025 08:25 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago
Felt much better today, really think it was the altitude yesterday that ruined my last stage. Started off reasonably strong, had about 10 river crossings in the second stage which made me reminisce about Gobi, did not mind getting the feet wet. Ran walked the first two sections, but really felt strong going up that massive hill so powered through that.
Going down the massive sand dune was a cool experience, had to focus on not putting too much pressure on my knees which are actually holding up pretty well. My feet are holding up pretty well too, got to restrap a couple toes but am hopeful the worst is over regarding the water crossings. Ended up coming in the 20s which was surprising, I thought I took this stage pretty steady so hope to keep the pace.
Thanks for the messages, we have not been able to read blog comments yet but appreciate the emails. I am too tired to respond to them, apologies.
Comments: Total (4) comments
Andrew Reynolds
Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 08:06 am
Well done Matt, great result today. Everything seems to be good… feet, knees, mindspace.
Keep it up
Dad
Liam Reynolds
Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 07:39 am
Sheez Matt, saw the climb in the ranks today, looks like your doing well. Hope you keep feeling like you have today and just enjoy the scenery and the beauty of the desert.
Lara Reynolds
Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 07:37 am
You are flying!!! Well done!
Stage 2 was one of my favourites.
You are now 1/3 into it so just power through.
I am glad your knees are holding up. Jet lag is also a problem the first day or two. Keep it up!
Yolande Hansen
Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 07:23 am
Wow Matthew that sounds really great ! And your result is great too 👍👍 keep it up and enjoy the experience xx
30 March 2025 08:41 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago
Stars last night were amazing in Camp 1! Also had a great start by waking up a full hour before everyone else at 4:30am, my watch went back an hour with daylight savings in the UK.
Planned on taking Stage 1 easy, which I did for the most part. Did a lot of walking, ran through the canyons which were really cool - the terrain through was mixed, lots of rocks so walked a lot of those sections. Got to Checkpoint 3, felt great, only around 5km left, got 2km in and hit a complete wall. Think it was the altitude (we started at 3,200m), couldn't really stomach any food throughout the stage and when I got to 32km I felt really sick. Think I took around 45 mins to do the last 3km which was amazing form, but really loaded up on the electrolytes when I got in so feeling good now. Knee is holding up well, we will see tomorrow, but I am going to go slower than today...
Comments: Total (6) comments
Ronan Reynolds
Posted On: 31 Mar 2025 10:07 pm
Nicely done Matt, from the photos it looks like Atacama is giving you some great views. Great timing on the daylight savings as always. Keep on keeping on 💪
David Grosse
Posted On: 31 Mar 2025 02:21 pm
Great stuff Matt. Well done on day 1.
Keep eating and electrolytes.
You’ll adjust to the altitude
Stars are indeed amazing @ night.
Enjoy
Lara Reynolds
Posted On: 31 Mar 2025 02:15 pm
You are doing great Matthew. Listen to your body and remember it’s a 6 day race.
The stars in Atacama is absolutely breathtaking! Enjoy it
Yolande Hansen
Posted On: 31 Mar 2025 12:28 pm
Well done Matt - sure sounds like an experience in a lifetime...take it easy and enjoy !! Sounds tough 😏
Nadine Rolland
Posted On: 31 Mar 2025 10:58 am
Well done Matthew - that is not a bad time - hope you feel better today. just enjoy the experience. xx
Andy Reynolds
Posted On: 31 Mar 2025 05:12 am
That’s good Matt, stick to the plan. I’m glad you have recovered well. I assume you ate well, which is important after feeling sick the last few km.
the terrain doesn’t get much better, so watch your footing.
I’ll follow your progress agin tomorrow, good luck.
Dad
Comments: Total (4) comments
Lourens Roets
Posted On: 06 Apr 2025 01:52 pm
Nadine Rolland
Posted On: 05 Apr 2025 08:00 am
Charles Kinsley
Posted On: 04 Apr 2025 11:57 pm
Andrew Reynolds
Posted On: 04 Apr 2025 11:24 pm