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Anthony Fung

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Atacama Crossing (2025) blog posts from Anthony Fung

01 April 2025 08:06 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Day 3, I slept  4 hours on and off last night because other people were talking late and dogs started barking at 4am.
 
Course wise, every day is more difficult. 41 km today, starting with salt flats. It’s like walking on chalk. Then it was spiky (I think) lava rocks. This was followed by sand with loose slats, and a 136m sand dune. The end section was horrendous, climbing rocks and steep descents. Again we had to traverse ponds and ravines with narrow rocks and I fell into a pond filled with moss. No injury though and my pack was waterproof. My phone was exposed but it seem to be working. Right till the end there were repeatedups and downs to th finish.
 
En route I got lost 3 times. So easy to miss the marking. Pity the marking was confusing at th end and I had to spent 5 mintues looking for the way literally on the doorstep of th finish line. apart from that , I finished strong today.
 
Piain wise, it’s still there but is affecting me less, at least for today.
 
Tomorrow is another 41km, 6km is said to be extremely difficult (salt flats again). Let’s see how that goes.
 
Thanks again for all your messages. keep them coming. :)

Comments: Total (4) comments

Lyris Miu

Posted On: 02 Apr 2025 10:21 am

Hi Coach Anthony! Your blog is truly amazing to read, it is beautifully written, simple but vivid - I feel like I am right there with you, in the pain and the beauty of it all. But of course, the journey that you are going through is incredibly inspiration. I hope you take good care of yourself and do not forget to enjoy the views and the journey! I cannot wait to hear about your experience!

Jane WU

Posted On: 02 Apr 2025 10:01 am

What you're doing is truly amazing! Admire your resilience deeply. Enjoy the race and everything that comes along!

Kelly Shek

Posted On: 02 Apr 2025 09:07 am

What a journey!! I am so grateful to be part of your race and our Resolve team admire your determination to complete the race and conquer the pain. Add oil 加油 Anthony!!!!!!!

Jeanie Lai

Posted On: 02 Apr 2025 03:23 am

Do get some rest whenever you need...May the Lord continue to protect you and give you the strength for the race and peace and joy in your mind to truly enjoy the run..our prayers are with you.. add oil , my dear friend...
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31 March 2025 08:28 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Thanks for all your messages. They are really supportive.
 
Today is stage 2. I slept for about 6 hours last night but decided to take it easy, so I was one of the last starters. However, I managed to overtake many.
 
I had to get my feet wet in the early section where for 6 to 8km I had to traverse a fast flowing river many times. That was fun.
 
The following elevation, about 600m that I was concerned with, actually turned out OK. The scene at the top was amazing. I stopped many time to take photos and I had to remind myself that I am actually racing.
 
After descending a steep sand dune came the last CP. I felt well and so did not rest much. That was a bad decision. For the last 10km or so, the loin pain came back again and medication did ńt help. So I really struggled in the last stage (as yesterday) and had to stop many times with people passing.
 
Now I am OK and hope to rest. NOt sure what tomorrow´s stage is, another 40km I think. Whatever, I will just keep going. But I will take a rest in the CP after 20 or 30km regardless of how I feel.
 
Will update tomorrow. Please keep the messages ccming, they are a real boost. 

Comments: Total (6) comments

Helen Wong

Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 06:36 pm

Know your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses, enjoy the race

Joanne Lee

Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 11:09 am

Don’t push too hard at the beginning. Enjoy the race and look forward seeing your photos at different stages. Pls do stay in good shape for the pictures. ?☺️

Aggie F

Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 01:40 am

You can do this bab, make sensible decisions to rest or to push ahead. Enjoy the amazing views as much as you can!

Echo Fung

Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 01:14 am

You did well! Keep it up. ?? looking forward to day 3 pictures.

Frances Lee

Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 01:11 am

Glad to hear you have fun and is enjoying the scenery. Take your time and don’t push yourself too hard, remember it’s a 7 day race and getting there is not just half the fun but all of it! Do take in the experience, take care and have fun ;-)

Yin Ng

Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 12:32 am

We’re all rooting for you Wong Sheung! Looking forward to seeing your amazing photos! Please take more haha XD
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30 March 2025 08:16 pm (GMT-04:00) Santiago

Yesterday we left San Pedro for the Atacama desert, that means we started to be self sufficient and no washing till I finish the race.
 
Mainly because of the pain from the shingles, and also not being used to sleeping rough, the excitement, and the cold, I slept for no more than 2 hours.
 
Today´s route is 35km, it´s supposed to be a descent from 3000m to 2500m, but actually there is much elevation. I did OK for the first 30km, but the last 5km was all upslope. I was hindered by back pain, walking literally bent to the side. So my only competitor is pain. If I get over the pain from the shingles, I count as a win.
 
Kenny and Clarence finished strong and much faster than me. They are well.
 
Tomorrow is 40km with more elevation. Hope I can sleep tonight and I will take medication for the pain. Talk again after the 2nd stage.

Comments: Total (2) comments

Yin Ng

Posted On: 01 Apr 2025 12:29 am

You’ll be fine Wong Sheung! Have some good rest tonight! Great job :)

Helen Wong

Posted On: 31 Mar 2025 09:41 pm

U did well! Beat the pain and do a little bit more for me today - enjoy the scenery
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