World’s Highest and Driest Desert Marathon Back For 2017

The Volcano Marathon, billed as “The World’s Highest and Driest Desert Marathon” is back for 2017.

On November 16^th competitors will assemble to race at San Pedro de Atacama in the heart of the Atacama Desert in Chile, the driest desert in the world.

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The 42.195 km marathon begins near the Lascar Volcano, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, at a start altitude of 4,475 metres (14,682 feet), a height that’s a challenge in itself for many people. The first half of the race takes place on dirt roads at an average of over 4,000 metres altitude, before becoming more challenging.

The 2016 Volcano Marathon was won by Brit Luke Wigman in a time of 4:38:37 hrs with Andrea Lopez (Chile) taking the women’s title in 5:13:48 hrs.

Packages to compete in this year’s race cost from $3,000 Dollars (about £2,400) which includes race entry, 5 days accommodation, a few days acclimatisation at San Pedro, which lies at 2,600 metres (7,900 feet), including training runs and visits to the Salt Mountain Range, Valley of the Moon and Valley of Death and other trip essentials.