For most of us, the thought of running one marathon in normal conditions exists as a never-to-be-obtained ideal. But how about five marathons, in five days, across one of the driest places on earth?
That thought didn’t scare Rhiannon Henley, a Grade 12 student at Brockton School – quite the opposite. When record-breaking ultramarathoner Ray Zahab came to present at her school, mentioning an organization that takes youth on adventure trips, she threw up her hand during the Q&A.
That was really intimidating at first, because we got to the airport and I saw these two really tall, buff guys and I’m like, ‘This is a little bit nerve racking,’ she said. So I did have imposter syndrome a little bit. I didn’t really feel like I belonged there.
But throughout the trip, I definitely gained so much self confidence, Henley said. And I learned that I’m not just Rhiannon, I’m Rhiannon and I can do crazy things like that.
Imposter syndrome or not, she underwent a rigorous training routine leading up to the trip: a gym day Monday, seven-kilometer runs Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, a physio rest day on Friday, a half marathon on Saturday, and a 10-kilometer recovery run Sunday – for six months.
That would prepare her for the eventual long desert days, when marathon runs started at 7:30 a.m. each day. Reaching the next camp in the early afternoon, they would meet meteorologist Whittal for learning sessions that would later be broadcast on the Impossible2Possible website.
Barefoot under a tent, they learned about the possibility of desert snow, hurricanes, and tornadoes. They learned about why the Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar place on earth, and how sometimes it rains, even there.
Afterwards, they’d hop on Zoom calls with elementary school students to talk about the experience. Henley recalls taking questions from enthusiastic sixth and seventh graders in Colorado.
They were honestly just so curious because they haven’t heard of having done stuff like this before. And I think it’s powerful for them, she said. That’s what I really want – to just inspire other people and make them realize that you can do stuff like this, like, you just have to work really hard.
Henley said she’s also brought positivity from her learning experiences to share back home.
Because Brockton School is junior kindergarten to Grade 12, she’s been able to give presentations to a broad range of students, including younger ones, which was really cool, she said.
There’s always little kids coming up to me in the hallway, and they’re asking me questions, or they’re like, ‘Oh, you’re the girl who ran across the desert.’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah, you could do that too.
North Vancouver teen, Rhiannon Henley, has accomplished an extraordinary feat by running five marathons in five days across the Chilean desert. The Grade 12 student from Brockton School joined Impossible2Possible, an organization that encourages youth leadership through hands-on learning experiences. Led by record-breaking ultramarathoner Ray Zahab, the organization took Henley and two other selected youth ambassadors on an adventure in the Atacama Desert.
Throughout her journey, Henley faced physical and mental challenges. She was the only female youth ambassador and the youngest participant, which initially made her feel a sense of intimidation. However, as the trip progressed, Henley gained self-confidence and realized her ability to accomplish incredible feats.
To prepare for the grueling desert runs, Henley followed a strict training routine for six months, including gym workouts, long runs, and recovery days. The marathon runs began early in the morning, with the team reaching the next camp by early afternoon. During this adventure, Henley had the opportunity to learn from Weather Network meteorologist Jaclyn Whittal about extreme weather conditions, including desert snow, hurricanes, and tornadoes. These lessons were later shared with students through the Impossible2Possible website.
Henley’s experience extended beyond the Chilean desert. Through Zoom calls with elementary school students, she sparked curiosity and inspired them to believe in their ability to achieve extraordinary goals with hard work and dedication. Back at Brockton School, Henley shared her story with students of all ages, becoming a source of inspiration and empowerment.
Rhiannon Henley’s remarkable accomplishment serves as a reminder that with determination and perseverance, anyone can overcome challenges and achieve greatness. Her story has resonated with people of all ages, proving that seemingly impossible dreams are within reach with the right mindset and effort. Henley’s adventure highlights the importance of youth leadership and experiential learning in shaping confident and empowered individuals who can inspire others to pursue their own dreams.
