The Mountain Races Podcast

One of the most famous sections of the Atlas Mountain Race is the 100KM stretch of no resupply through the desert. Here riders meander through the Anti Atlas, climbing their way up to a plateau with stunning views of the network of canyons below. We meet riders chasing the snail here.

We also hear from riders at Café Atlas in Ait Saoun which has become a popular stop for riders, and potentially the best omelette of the whole race.

Riders featured in this episode:

Zoe McIntosh — Cap 144
Andy Dodd — Cap 61
Julien Gravaud — Cap 89
John Roe — Cap 184
Cedric Henriot — Cap 98
Roz Osborne — Cap 163
Eoin Cocoran — Cap 205
Julia Wuerzinger — Cap 232
Erin Poland — Cap 308B
Jono Freeman — Cap 308A
Neil Copeland — Cap 43
Matthew Franklin — Cap 73
Gala Giannini — Cap 81

Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race

Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates

Hosted and produced by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Cover image by Nils Laengner
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Conditions remain incredibly demanding as our riders press on towards Checkpoint 1 in Boutharar. The weather has improved in some ways, and worsened in others.

The silver lining is that, at long last, most of the tarmac is behind them and the route turns back into the terrain riders came to the Atlas Mountain Race for. In this episode, we hear from those still pushing toward their first stamp, as well as riders who have just arrived.

Riders featured in this episode:

Paul & Benjamin — Caps 302A & 302B
Justyna Jarczok — Cap 114
Miroslav Chrapka — Cap 39
Darragh Cushen — Cap 44
Kari Bergstedt — Cap 13
Rebecca & Greg — Caps 316A & 316B
Rafal Sokol — Cap 202
Kristen Tonsager — Cap 215
James Illman — Cap 109
Erin & Jono — Cap 308A
Sebastian Sarx — Cap 328A
Robyn Hughes — Cap 104

Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race

Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates

Hosted and produced by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Cover image by Stephen Shelesky
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a cold, rain-soaked first night at the Atlas Mountain Race 2026, riders emerge from darkness into morning light scattered across the High Atlas. Frigid temperatures, flooded roads, and icy descents define the opening hours of the race, forcing decisions around shelter, sleep, and when to keep moving.

In villages along the early tarmac corridor, riders gather briefly around wood stoves, cafés, and petrol stations — drying socks, warming hands, fixing mechanicals, and weighing fatigue against momentum. Some push on through the night, others pause for rest, all navigating the consequences of an unusually harsh start.

As daylight reveals snow-covered peaks and saturated landscapes, bringing with it a renewed spirit for our riders. The lead riders reach Checkpoint 1, while much of the field continues to funnel through towns toward their first stamp.

Riders featured in this episode:

Gala Giannini— Cap 81
Tanner Jackson — Cap 112
Seun Alaba — Cap 4
Fritz Meinecke — Cap 147
Roz Osborne — Cap 163
Julian Mills — Cap 153
Stephane Ouaja — Cap 165
Arthur Bonal — Cap 20
Ariane Richter — Cap 179
Sterre Witteveen — Cap 322B
Conor Dunne — Cap 64
Sebastian Trimborn — Cap 126
Victor Bosoni — Cap 21
Rob Britton — Cap 25
Stefan Haehnel — Cap 94

Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race

Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates

Hosted and produced by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell

Cover image by Lloyd Wright
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Atlas Mountain Race 2026 is finally here, beginning with the usual proceedings of registration. Riders trickled into the cultural centre at Ain Asserdoun Park in Beni-Mellal under persistent rain. After years of drought, high rivers, lingering snow on mountain passes, and late route changes set the tone for the adventure ahead.

In this opening episode, we hear from riders across the field to heart their thoughts and feelings on the road to the start line and what they are about to embark on.

Riders featured in this episode:

Abderrahim Aarab & Haitam Ait bouaziz — Caps 301A&B
Rebecca Rusch — Cap 316B
Gökay Bıyık —Cap 17
Sean Geivett & Emma Missale — Caps 309A&B
Taylor Doyle — Cap 62
Cynthia Carson — Cap 33
Steven Davis — Cap 55
Kerry MacPhee — Cap 137
Rob Britton — Cap 25
Max Riese — Cap 180

Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race

Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates

Hosted and produced by Mel Webb

Sound design by Ben Crannell
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our podcast coverage of the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race, supported by Tailfin, Pertex and Albion.

The sixth edition is a year of change for the Atlas Mountain Race with a new start in Beni-Mellal. In this episode, Media Manager and host of this year's race podcast, Mel Webb, sits down with Race Director Nelson Trees to provide an overview of this year's route, our favourites for the win and what dotwatchers and riders alike are in store for.

Dotwatch the 2026 Atlas Mountain Race

Follow us on Instagram @atlasmountainrace for daily visual & written updates

Credits:
Hosted and produced by Mel Webb
Sound design by Ben Crannell

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.