Medical students racing in the Chilean desert

At the same time as their fellow final year medical students return from elective terms early next year, Daniel Trevena and Gareth Andrews will set out on one of the world’s most difficult endurance challenges – the six day, six-stage, 250km Atacama Crossing in Chile. They are raising funds for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

The race is part of racingtheplanet's 4deserts, a gruelling worldwide series which includes foot races across deserts in Egypt (Sahara), China (Gobi) and Antarctica. No surprise, the series is rated as the second toughest endurance challenges in the world by Time Magazine.

Both Gareth and Daniel are accomplished athletes. Gareth represented Scotland at rugby and competed in the UK National Athletics Championships before moving to Sydney in 2003. More recently, he played rugby for Sydney University. Daniel held a number of athletics titles, before switching to triathlons and other endurance events.

Together, they founded the Sydney University Wilderness Medicine Society which gives students access to experience in remote and expedition medicine especially emergency care in polar, desert and mountain environments.

More information about the race, and their progress, can be found at Atacama Crossing