Atlas Collectif: What inspired your team to take on The Speed Project Atacama, and how did you prepare for such a grueling challenge?

Valentina Henríquez: “I started running almost by chance, and it changed my life. When I co-hosted TSP ATA last year on the media team, I fell in love with its magic. This year, when I got the invitation to captain a team, I didn’t hesitate. The physical preparation was straightforward—consistency in training. The real challenge was mental. I knew our minds could be the biggest obstacle, so I focused on meditation, kindness to myself, and leading a committed, admirable team.”

Carla Vásquez: “As I’ve grown as an amateur athlete, I’ve been drawn to challenges that test me—adrenaline, extreme conditions, and survival. I don’t seek limits; I push them. When I was invited to TSP, I knew it was an opportunity to expand my body, heart, and knowledge, and I embraced it wholeheartedly.”

Paolo Pavéz: “TSP is always an incredible challenge no matter where it takes place. Its unique dynamics create an experience every runner dreams of living. My preparation was straightforward: a lot of running, focusing on rhythm, elevation, slopes, and spending hours in motion.”

Atlas Collectif: How did you contribute to the team dynamic, and what role did leadership play in your success?

Valentina Henríquez: “I felt the need to lead differently. It wasn’t about being an ‘omniscient storyteller’—I had to step into decision-making, push my team, and adapt. At one point, I made the call to stop and rest for three hours. It felt contradictory in a race focused on speed, but I knew it was what we needed to regain strength and unity. The team trusted me, and we moved forward together. Leadership means listening, making hard calls, and creating space for everyone to contribute.”

Lisa Pearlman “I saw myself as playing a supporting role on the team and I wanted to do what I could to contribute, both in the lead-up to and during the race, while finding the right balance between knowing when to sit back and let others lead and when to step up and offer my ideas and opinions.

I tend to be pretty laid-back, clear-thinking, and adaptable, as well as collaborative by nature, so I like to think these things contributed to a positive team dynamic. I also really love supporting other people, so I tried to offer as much verbal support as I could during the race.

I think that when you have a group of people with complementary strengths working together, the possibilities for what can be achieved are almost limitless."

Atlas Collectif: Can you describe a moment during the race that tested you the most, and how you overcame it?

Valentina Henríquez: “The second night was incredibly tough. The altitude was draining us, and mentally, we weren’t functioning well. It became clear that we weren’t listening to each other. I stopped everything. I said, ‘We rest now, or we won’t keep going.’ It was hard because stopping felt counterintuitive, but when we woke up, there was no doubt—it was the best decision we made.”

Héctor Arriagada: “The second night was also the hardest for me. The high altitude and exhaustion made it difficult to think clearly. After resting, an apology and a hug were all it took to refocus and move forward as a team.”

Carla Vásquez: “With 24 hours on the road, the lack of sleep hit us hard. We had a team conflict and weren’t thinking strategically about the 300 kilometers ahead. I asked everyone to stop for a meeting, and Valentina, as our captain, made the call to rest for three hours. It was a turning point—we came back stronger, unified, and ready to keep going.”

Atlas Collectif: What was the most breathtaking or memorable part of running through the Atacama Desert?

Valentina Henríquez: “The Atacama reveals itself slowly. At sunrise, the colors shift as the sky lightens, and at sunset, your shadow stretches infinitely across the desert. It’s humbling and immense—running there makes you feel small yet connected to something greater.”

Marco Campos adds: “The silence of the desert, its colors, and the energy of the mountains—I’ll never forget that feeling of being surrounded by so much beauty and history.”

Paolo Pavéz: “The Atacama teaches you how small you are. Running on an endless dirt road with no end in sight in any direction is overwhelming. Those moments where you grasp where you are—those are the most incredible.”

Atlas Collectif: Did you face any unexpected challenges, and how did the team adapt to keep moving forward?

Valentina Henríquez: “When one of our strongest riders got sick, my intuition told me we couldn’t go on without addressing it. I decided to take him to the emergency room in Calama, even though it was a tough call. We lost one of our runners, but the team adapted immediately. Everyone took on more responsibility. It was another moment that proved our strength as a team."

Carla Vásquez: “Yes, one of our members fell ill. On the second day, Valentina decided to send him to the medical center, which was 150 kilometers away. That left six of us to run with just one van. Even Martín, our driver, stepped up to run when needed. We all adapted and found a way to keep moving.”

Héctor Arriagada: “The challenge of fatigue, lack of sleep, and not thinking clearly was a constant battle. We had to remind ourselves that this was about finishing together, not just racing against the clock. Taking moments to rest and recalibrate helped us stay focused and strong as a team.”

Atlas Collectif: What did this experience teach you about yourself as a runner and as a person?

Valentina Henríquez: “This race showed me that I’m stronger than I imagined. I realized that we are all capable of so much more if we trust ourselves and those around us. This experience has filled me with confidence and the desire to take on new adventures—asking, ‘Can I do this?’ and answering, ‘Let’s find out.'"

Héctor Arriagada: “I learned that the mind can deceive you and the body can grow tired, but as long as your heart beats with strength, you can always go a little further.”

Carla Vásquez: “Crossing the finish line made me reflect on how much my loved ones’ support has meant to me. I realized that no one truly runs alone—training, racing, and celebrating all become meaningful because of the people cheering for you along the way.”

Paolo Pavéz: “I learned that we are so much smaller than the challenges we face but also capable of rising to them with strength we didn’t know we had. TSP taught me that the body can adapt and persevere when we trust the process.

Atlas Collectif: Finishing 9th is a phenomenal achievement—what contributed most to this success?

Valentina Henríquez: “We never set a goal for placement, but we raced with everything we had. We were a group of friends with jobs, families, and commitments, competing alongside elite teams. Finishing 9th shows that passion and teamwork can achieve incredible things.”

Lisa Pearlman: “Our success came from our commitment to supporting each other. Despite our individual differences, we believed in the collective goal and trusted each other to do our best. That unity is what carried us across the finish line.”

Marco Campos: “It was our first time doing something like this as a team, but we spent 50 hours together, living, running, and supporting each other. Each of us brought something unique to the table, and that made all the difference.”

Paolo Pavéz: “The desire for more. We were always pushing, believing in the next step, and trusting the process. It wasn’t about individual effort but about working together to achieve something incredible.”

Atlas Collectif: How did this race deepen your understanding of teamwork and community?

Valentina Henríquez: “Teamwork is everything. When we stopped thinking about individual struggles and focused on the collective goal, everything shifted. Running isn’t just competition; it’s connection. There were moments we pushed like rivals and others where we simply ran as friends through the desert.”

Felipe Labraña adds: “The desert breaks you, but your team holds you together. It’s not just physical strength—it’s the mental resilience of knowing you’re not alone.”

Carla Vásquez: “Concern for each other’s well-being, even as strangers, brought us closer. After 50 hours on the road, we felt like we’d known each other for years. Running truly unites us.”

Lisa Pearlman: “This race reinforced how much we can accomplish in a supportive, healthy community. It’s a cliché, but we achieve so much more together than we ever could alone.”

Marco Campos: “It taught me that running is about more than time and distance. It’s about being there for each other, pushing limits together, and celebrating every step forward as a team.”

Atlas Collectif: Would you do it again?

Valentina Henríquez: “Absolutely yes. The Atacama Desert holds a piece of my soul now, and I can’t wait to return.”

Carla Vásquez: “Yes and yessssssss! There’s no question—I’d do it again in a heartbeat.”

Lisa Pearlman: “100% yes! I loved every moment, even the challenging ones. It was an unforgettable experience.”

Marco Campos: “I’ll definitely do it again. The vibe, the challenge, the teamwork—it’s my kind of race.”

Paolo Pavéz: “As often as necessary. This experience is one I’d repeat over and over.”

Héctor Arriagada: “A thousand times, yes. This challenge was everything I look for in running, and I’d do it again without hesitation.”

Martin Amigo: “Yes or yes! I’d love to take it to the next level and do it solo. The experience was that powerful.”

Felipe Labraña: “Probably yes. The adrenaline, the teamwork, and the challenge—there’s no way I wouldn’t want to do it again.”

Atlas Collectif: How did the Atlas Collectif gear perform during the race?

Valentina Henríquez: “I was initially worried since we didn’t have time to test the gear beforehand, but it exceeded my expectations. I wore the black tights, T-shirt, socks, and cap—they were all of incredible quality. I felt confident, comfortable, and ready to perform.”

Carla Vásquez: “The fabric, minimal seams on the T-shirts, and the hat with wings were ideal for preventing chafing and dealing with the weather conditions. Aesthetically, we looked great too! My only note is about the women’s shorts—I’d prefer a higher-waisted design without the built-in brief.”

Lisa Pearlman: “I usually prefer tight shorts, so I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about the loose ones, but I ended up loving them so much I wore them for the entire 50 hours! The hat was also a lifesaver under the desert sun.”

Marco Campos: “Atlas clothes are just great. The quality of the cotton is amazing, and the balaclava shirt was both warm and light. I can’t wait to try more from the collection.”

Paolo Pavéz: “The gear exceeded all expectations. It was lightweight, quick-drying, and performed perfectly in all conditions. This is exactly what I look for in running gear.”

Héctor Arriagada: “We didn’t have the chance to test the gear beforehand, but it turned out to be my favorite competition kit. If I had to run TSP again, I’d choose Atlas without hesitation.”

Martin Amigo: “The quick-drying, lightweight materials made a huge difference. It’s exactly what you need in the desert—comfortable, durable, and reliable.”

Felipe Labraña: “The garments were outstanding throughout the race. The balance of comfort, performance, and style was spot on. I can’t think of anything negative—it just worked perfectly.”