2002: Crossing the desert

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Tags: alumni, extreme sports, fundraising, journalism and communication, summer-2010

Melanie Wee, BJ

Melanie Wee

UQ journalism graduate Melanie Wee tested her physical and mental abilities when she ran across the driest place on Earth – the Atacama Desert in Chile.

“The race takes you out from your daily life and comfort zone. I got to see the world in a whole different perspective,” Ms Wee said.

“In many ways I ran my own race.”

Part of the Racing the Planet event – a series of four ultra-endurance races across major deserts of the world – the Atacama Crossing is usually a seven-day, 250km self-supporting race taking place at over 3000m above sea level.

Day time temperatures hit 45°C, while competitors carry their own food, clothes and gear required for seven days.

However, due to the devastating Chilean earthquake in February, the race was shortened by one day and competitors had to complete the course in six stages rather than the usual seven.

Ms Wee, a journalist for Argus Media based in Singapore, said the added test of strength and endurance bolstered her sense of accomplishment.

During day four of the race, she had to pull out due to the cut-off time she had missed for that stage.

“I had given my all – and wanted to see how far I could go,” she said.

While Ms Wee said she had risen to the physical challenge of the event, she was more surprised by her mental and inner strength.

“I remember the determination I had in me. I remember pushing myself amid the pain and realised the pain somehow subsides,” she said.

The race was rated the second-most difficult endurance competition in the world by Time Magazine, with competitors required to battle altitude, extreme heat, long grass, salt flats, rocks, rivers and kilometres of sand dunes.

Ms Wee, whose father is a cancer survivor, raised more than $12,000 to donate to the Singapore Cancer Society.

By Allison Rock

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