The most famous ultra trail races!

Are you a lover of trail running and adventure sports? There are many trail run races held each year, but only a few have the prestige of being considered the most famous and internationally recognized, not only because they give runners from all over the world the opportunity to truly get into nature, but also In addition, the opportunity to take on the challenge of overcoming all kinds of unevenness and mountain relief, deserts, rivers and other different natural settings, allowing them to demonstrate to the world -and to themselves- that they are experienced athletes, with the most optimal physical conditions, and with a talented mind and focused on sport.

Long distance trails from all over the world are traveled by trail runners year after year off-piste, and this time we have gathered together the most recognized of all, but also some of the most exciting, difficult and eccentric. Read on and discover the most famous and demanding trail run races in the world!

EVEREST TRAIL RACE

EVEREST-TRAIL-RACE-carreras-ultra-trail-famosas

Name:
Everest Trail Race (ETR).
Duration:
6 days.
Distance:
170 km.
Route:
In the Road Book of the ETR, the final route is established and delivered to the participants on the first day in Kathmandu.
Place:
Nepal Himalayas, in the Solukhumbu area; contemplates between 2000 and 4100 meters of altitude.
Structure:
Six stages of approximately 25 km, 26 km, 30 km, 27.5 km, 32 km, and 30 km, respectively, and positive and negative daily accumulated slopes (+/-) that can range from 3,600 m to 5,400 m.

General Description:

The Everest Trail Race (ETR) is one of the most important ultra trail running competitions at an international level that welcomes runners with all kinds of abilities, since it offers freedom of pace, freedom of own equipment and times of wide closing at the checkpoints and at the final goal. But don't be fooled… because this doesn't mean the difficulty isn't hard! Undoubtedly, its participants must be very well used to walking or running with a good rhythm and technique for long distances, for a long time and for considerable unevenness. One of the most interesting things about this race, among many that this wonderful spot in the Himalayas of Nepal already offers, is that it has a parallel program for companions that allows them to travel together, and also do a section of the trekking route with the corridors, which travels between 2,000 and 4,100 m above sea level. The area can only be accessed on foot, as has been the historical tradition of its inhabitants from the Solukhumbu population, who also support and collaborate with the entire official logistics team. Undoubtedly, the landscape is one of the great protagonists... Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Tamserku, Kangtega, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, in addition to all its interesting cultural and geographical corners, among its towns, roads and monasteries.

ULTRA-TRAIL MONT-BLANC (UTMB)

Name:
Ultra-Trail of Mont-Blanc.
Distance:
172 km approx.
Unevenness:
Positive unevenness of 10.000 m.
Duration:
7 days.
Place:
The Alps, crossing France, Italy and Switzerland.
Structure:
1 route, 7 tests: The UTMB® (170km 10000mD+), the CCC® (101km 6100mD+), the TDS® (145km 9100mD+), the OCC (56km 3500mD+) , the PTL® (300km 25,000mD+), the MCC (40km 2300mD+) and the YCC (15km 1200mD+).

General Description:

The Ultra-Trail de Mont-Blanc (UTMB) is a mountain ultramarathon of about 172 km and a positive elevation gain of about 10.000 meters held annually in the Alps, passing through France, Italy and Switzerland. The Ultra-Trail de Mont-Blanc is considered one of the most prestigious Trail Running competitions at an international level, in which its thousands of participants cross France, Italy and Switzerland demonstrating all their talent and dedication. with 2.000 volunteers coming from 15 different countries, 18 French, Italian or Swiss municipalities of the Mont-Blanc Country, the event is successfully completed every year before its thousands and thousands of spectators. Since 2006, a second race has begun to be organized (Courmayeur - Champex - Chamonix) with half the route. For its part, a third race was incorporated in 2009, known as the "Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie" (TDS), supervised by the same organization. Undoubtedly a unique experience and an unmistakable physical and spiritual adventure for all Ultratrail lovers.

VAL D'ARAN by UTMB.

Name:
Val D'Aran by UTMB.
Duration:
3 days.
Distance:
160 km.
Location:
The Arán Valley, the northern slope of the central Pyrenees in Lleida (Catalonia, Spain).
Structure:
It consists of 3 Races, an additional short course of 15 km and 2 recreational sports events.
Events and races:

VDA 162 Torn dera Val d'Aran (162k/D+10.600m) Start and finish in Vielha.

CDH 105 Camins de Her (105K/d+6.500M) Exit Les. Goal Vielha.

PDA 55 Peades dera Aigua (55k/D+3.100m) Beret exit. Goal Vielha.

SKY 15 Km Baqueira Beret (15 Km/D+800) Beret

Baqueira Beret Trail Festival (Outdoor Festival for friends and companions)

Trail Expo (International Outdoor Festival)

General Description:

“Welcome to the wild side of the mountain” is the motto of the event organized by the UTBM, and held annually in the essence of the Pyrenees. The Val d'Aran by UTMB® is a relatively new mountain running event, which is part of the international events labeled "by UTMB®", that is, it is part of the international trail running circuit Ultra-Trail® World Tour. The different races that make up the trail running event base their philosophy on the 4 elements: "Air, fire, earth and water" which are the elements that you find throughout the route during your experience in the Aran Valley. The official route is always scheduled in advance and available to the public to download on the official website of Val D'Aran by UTMB. However, the route may have variations due to weather or the state of the terrain, so each participant must ensure that they have downloaded the most up-to-date version. Without a doubt, an unforgettable adventure in the Aran Valley!

TRANSROCKIES RUN

Name:
Under Armor TransRockies Run.
Duration:
6 days.
Distance:
193.121 km (120 miles).
Altitude gain:
6858 m (22,500 ft).
Location:
The continental divide between Buena Vista and Beaver Creek, running through the Colorado Rockies. (Colorado, United States).
Structure:
It is part of the TransRockies Race Series (The TransRockies Race Series). The Transrockies Run takes place at an elevation between 7.400 and 12.600 feet above sea level and its final route is announced moments before the event.

Description:

The Under Armor TransRockies Run or just Transrockies Run is one of the main competitions of the “TransRockies Race Series” , known as America's premier cycling, trail running and mountain bike racing series from North. The TransRockies Run itself is a 120-mile stage trail running race (193.121Km) through the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, with impressive views along the route that contemplates a height of between 7.400 and 12.600 feet Its duration is 6 days and it crosses the continental dividing line between Buena Vista and Beaver Creek. With a capacity of just 350 runners, the event sells out quickly each year. Those who do manage to attend, immerse themselves in one of the most fun and exciting “running holidays” of their lives, forging memories and unforgettable moments between and stage, as well as in the rest camps, where they can celebrate and socialize with the rest of participants. The organizers of the Under Armor TransRockies Run design a dynamic and challenging course taking advantage of the spectacular mountain available for it. The normal thing is that they offer an estimated guideline of stages but this is only to inspire the competitors. To create more intrigue and a level playing field, the actual course is kept secret until just moments before the event begins. For everyone it will be a new challenge and a completely exciting adventure!

THE COASTAL CHALLENGE

General Description:

The Coastal Challenge (TCC) is a trail running race in stages that proposes a route through tropical forests, jungle, rivers and sandy beaches, lasting 6 days, each one with a different distance that changes in each one of its annual editions. Race time is cumulative, and each day is timed from start to finish. At the end of the race, each day's time is added up to get the total finish time.

The tour runs along the tropical Pacific coast of Costa Rica, but occasionally ventures into the Talamanca, a coastal mountain range in the extreme southwest of the country. In general, you will cross jungle and tropical forest trails, you will run on mountain trails and individual trails through ridge lines, through highlands and coastal ranges; there will be beaches, rocky outcrops and reefs, river crossings, and kilometers of river that competitors will have to overcome in different sections of the course. The race ends in the Corcovado National Park, one of the largest expanses of tropical rainforest in the world, as well as being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

MARATHON DES SABLES

Name:
Marathon des Sables.
Duration:
7 days.
Distance:
It covers an estimated 250 km of distance.
Location:
Sahara Desert, Morocco.
Structure:
There are 6 stages, of which five are between 20 and 40 km and one stage of about 80 km.

Description:

The Marathon des Sables (MDS) (in Spanish, Marathon of the Sands) is a trail run race held in Morocco and divided into stages, considered one of the toughest races in the world. It consists of a 250-kilometer route that can be completed running or walking, and has a total duration of 7 days developed in the middle of the Sahara Desert, where the temperature reaches 40°C or more during the day. It is a self-sufficiency test, so each of its 800 runners must bring their own food, sleeping bag and other tools. It has 6 stages, of which 5 range between 20 and 40 kilometers and also includes a last stage of about 80 kilometers. Although the course of the race changes annually, it generally always consists of rocky plains, dry riverbeds, and sandy dunes; occasionally the participants also pass through one or another small town in the area. Historically, it has been organized in Morocco by the Frenchman Patrick Bauer since 1986.

TEMPLIERS FESTIVAL

FESTIVAL-DE-TEMPLIERS-carreras-ultra-trail-famosas

Name:
The Grand Trail des Templiers.
Duration:
7 days.
Place:
Millau, France.
Structure:
12 runs.

General Description:

The Grand Trail des Templiers (in Spanish, Festival of the Knights Templar) is perhaps one of the oldest and most prestigious trail running competitions in Europe. Held annually since its first edition in 1995, the Festival des Templiers brings together more than 12.000 participants in a 3-day festival structured in 12 races in total. Millau, the place where this splendid sporting event is held, has become the main French city as far as sport is concerned. All the landscapes have a very emblematic aspect, with secret passages, castles, haunted villages and small towns that immerse you in a chivalrous atmosphere among amazing landscapes such as the Dourbie gorges, the Larzac cliffs, and the Owl Cave.

BUFF® EPIC TRAIL VALL DE BOÍ

BUFF®-EPIC-TRAIL-VALL-DE-BOÍ-carreras-ultra-trail-famosas

Name:
Buff Epic Trail Vall de Boi.
Duration:
4 days.
Location:
Boí Valley (Barruera, Spain).
Structure:
The BUFF® Epic Trail is part of the Mountain Buff Festival. It consists of 5 races (KV, 68 km, 42 km, 26 km and 12 km) that take place almost exclusively on trails.
BUFF® Epic Trail 12 KM: Short distance race, not very technical and popular. It contemplates trails without difficulty and with a total of 480 m of cumulative unevenness
BUFF® Epic Trail 26 KM: Medium distance race. Technical tour, with 3.600 m of cumulative unevenness.
BUFF® Epic Trail 42 KM: Marathon distance race. Technical tour, with 2.900 m of positive slope and 5.600 m of cumulative unevenness.
BUFF® Epic Trail 68 KM: Foot race of 68 km and more than 10.000 meters of unevenness. Circular route through the peripheral area of the Aigüestortes National Park and the mountains that surround the Boí Taüll ski resort. It must be completed in less than 17 hours.
BUFF® Epic Trail KV (KV World Championships): Race of 2.8 km approx. and 1000 m of positive unevenness.

General Description:

Buff Mountain Festival has a large number of activities open to everyone in the Roi Valley. His main race is the BUFF® Epic Trail, a trail running race of 68 km and more than 10.000 meters of unevenness. Its circular route takes place in the peripheral area of the Aigüestortes National Park and in the mountains that surround the Boí Taüll ski resort. This is a very demanding and high-level trail competition, suitable only for mountain runners who have the appropriate physical preparation to withstand the highest ski resort in the Pyrenees. In general, the BUFF® Mountain Festival brings together sports, family and mountains with endless recreational activities for the whole family, from the most competitive like MTB, duathlon or climbing, to the most participatory like rafting, canyoning, workshops, trekking and musical atmosphere.

OLYMPUS MARATHON

Name:
Olympus Marathon.
Duration:
10h.
Distance:
44 km.
Unevenness:
+3200 m.
Place:
Mount Olympus, Litochoro (Greece).

General Description:

The Olympus Marathon is an internationally renowned trail running race, best known for evoking a historical theme based on ancient Greece. This is a demanding mountain marathon that revives the pilgrimage of the ancient Greeks to Mount Olympus, which they climbed every year to honor the god Zeus. Today, the athletes who participate in the Olympus Marathon relive Greek history along the trails of Mount Olympus in a total route of 44 km and +3,200 meters of positive elevation gain that starts at dawn from Dion, a small town full of ruins sacred, making a section by road to the slopes of Mount Olympus. Once up, the participants arrive at the Throne of Zeus where a descent of more than 20 km begins; the most vertiginous are the last 14 km between Prionia and Litochoro. You will certainly feel like you are running with the gods!

TRANSVULCANIA ULTRAMARATHON

OLYMPUS-MARATHON-carreras-ultra-trail-famosas

Name:
Transvulcania Ultramarathon.
Distance:
74.33 Km.
Unevenness:
Positive cumulative unevenness of 4.350 m and a negative cumulative difference of 4.057 m.
Place:
La Palma, Canary Islands (Spain).

General Description:

Transvulcania is a demanding long-distance race considered one of the toughest and most dizzying mountain ultramarathons in the Canary Islands, as well as one of the most important trail competitions in Spain. The total route is 74.6 km long and has a cumulative drop of 8,525 m. However, the Transvulcania as a sporting event contemplates different modalities including Ultramarathon, Marathon, Half Marathon and Vertical Kilometer. The main race of the route begins at the Fuencaliente Lighthouse along the GR 131 Long Distance path (Ruta del Bastón) to the Port of Tazacorte, from which point it connects with the GR 130 (Camino Real de la Costa) to the finish line in the Plaza de España in Los Llanos de Aridane. As a sine qua non condition, runners must go through more than 10 checkpoints located along the way, always considering the closing time of each one. It has been held on the Island of La Palma since 2009 and has the participation of thousands of national and international runners. Transvulcania scores for the Mountain Racing World Championship since 2012.

But from: Deporte y Aventura

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