Thirty eight Argentines will cross the border to compete in the historic sporting rivalry that exists between these two brother nations
Desert Challenge in Chile is the next ARWS South America regional race and it will break a record!
This Saturday, 25th, the 4th South American regional round of 2025 begins. The Desert Challenge will take place in the Valparaiso region, in Limache, specifically at Embalse Los Aromos.
The region is getting ready to showcase its tourism opportunities in a 150km-in-24-hour international competition directed by one of the continent's most experienced organizers, Nelson Yáñez.
The 25 teams competing will have to navigate tough terrain in six stages, combining trekking, mountain biking, and kayaking. The special challenge will be night time desert trekking navigation stage.
The fourth edition of the Desert Challenge will go down in history, shattering the record for the largest national delegation travelling to a South America regional round, as 38 Argentines will cross the border to compete in the historic sporting rivalry that exists between these two brother nations. The previous record was 22 athletes, shared by Brazil, competing in the 2023 Charrua Challenge, and Uruguay, competing in the 2024 Raid Guaraní.
In the main category, there will be 10 teams (6 from Argentina and 4 from Chile), including the experienced Sport Total team, which has finished in the top 4 of Tierra Indómita for two consecutive years (among other achievements), and the 2021 South American runner-up, Team Merrell from Chile, led by Andrés Miller. "It will be a great battle between Argentina and Chile," stated the race director.
In addition, there will be a 75km race with 12 pairs (7 from Argentina and 5 from Chile) for teams that were unable to compete in the ARWS category or for riders who want to gradually get into the sport.
ARWS international referee Isara Soto will be in charge of overseeing the race and the event can be followed via tracking on https://tracktherace.com/en/desert-challenge-2025-24h
“It's a very important investment we've made in an optimal tracking system that can provide greater visibility and security to the event with our own trackers, just like the best organizations in the world do,” said Nelson.
This Sunday, the 26th, we will know which is the fifth team to qualify for the Ansilta XK Neuquén South American Final to face the best on the continent and earn a spot at ARWC CORSICA 2026.
The winning team will join Kavure'i, who qualified in La Gesta in Paraguay, Ansilta SM Outdoor, who qualified in XK Tucumán, Triaventura Durazno, who qualified in Charrúa Extremo, and also the team qualified for the ARWS Brazil Series, to be determined in the coming days.
With highly technical terrain, an experienced and passionate organization, with an international presence, and many ingredients, the table is set for a true adventure feast in Limache, Valparaíso, Chile.
