Are you a fan of trail running and adventure sports? There are many trail running races held every 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 immerse themselves in nature, but also the opportunity to take on the challenge of overcoming all kinds of unevenness and reliefs of mountains, deserts, rivers and other different natural scenarios, allowing them to show the world - and themselves - that they are experienced athletes, with the most optimal physical conditions, and with a talented mind focused on sport.
Long distances on trails around the world are covered year after year by trail runners off-road, and this time we have gathered the most famous of all, but also some of the most exciting, difficult and eccentric. Read on and discover the most famous and demanding trail running races in the world!
EVEREST TRAIL RACE
Name:
Everest Trail Race (ETR).
Duration:
6 days.
Distance:
170 Km.
Route:
In it Road Book The final route is established by the ETR and is delivered to the participants on site on the first day in Kathmandu.
Place:
Nepal Himalayas, in the Solukhumbu area; ranges between 2000 and 4100 meters above sea level.
Structure:
Six stages of approximately 25 km, 26 km, 30 km, 27.5 km, 32 km, and 30 km, respectively, and daily accumulated positive and negative gradients (+/-) that can range from 3600 m to 5400 m.
General Description:
The Everest Trail Race (ETR) is one of the most important international ultra trail running competitions that welcomes runners of all abilities, as it offers freedom of pace, freedom of own equipment and wide closing times in the checkpoints and at the finish line. But don't be fooled... because this doesn't mean that the difficulty isn't hard! Without a doubt, its participants must be very well accustomed to walking or running at a good pace and technique over long distances, for a long time and over considerable slopes. One of the most interesting things about this race, among so 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 to do a section of the trekking route with the runners, which runs between 2000 and 4100 m above sea level. The area can only be accessed on foot, as has been the historical tradition of its inhabitants of the Solukhumbu population, who also support and collaborate with the race along with the entire official logistics team. Without a doubt, the landscape is one of the main protagonists... Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, Tamserku, Kangtega, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, as well as all its interesting cultural and geographical corners, among its towns, paths and monasteries.
ULTRA TRAIL MONT-BLANC (UTMB)
Name:
Mont-Blanc Ultra-Trail.
Distance:
172 Km approx.
Slope:
Positive gradient of 10,000 m.
Duration:
7 days.
Place:
The Alps, crossing France, Italy and Switzerland.
Structure:
1 route, 7 tests: The UTMB® (170km 10,000mD+), 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 approximately 172 km and a positive gradient of approximately 10,000 metres 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 on an international level, with thousands of participants crossing France, Italy and Switzerland, demonstrating all their talent and dedication. With 2,000 volunteers from 15 different countries, 18 French, Italian or Swiss municipalities in the Pays de Mont-Blanc, the event is successfully completed every year in front of thousands and thousands of spectators. Since 2006, a second race (Courmayeur - Champex - Chamonix) has been organised with half of the route. A third race was added in 2009, known as the "Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie" (TDS), supervised by the same organisation. Without a doubt 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.
Place:
The Aran Valley, the northern slope of the central Pyrenees in Lleida (Catalonia, Spain).
Structure:
It consists of 3 races, an additional short 15 km route and 2 recreational sporting events.
Events and races:
- VDA 162 Torn dera Val d 'Aran (162k/D+10,600m) Start and finish in Vielha.
- CDH 105 Roads of Her (105K/d+6,500M) Output Les. Goal Vielha.
- PDA 55 Water Pipes (55k/D+3,100m) Beret exit. Goal Vielha.
- SKY 15 Km Baqueira Beret (15 Km/D+800) Beret
- Trail Festival Baqueira Beret (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 organised by the UTBM, and held annually in the heart of the Pyrenees. The Val d'Aran by UTMB® is a relatively new mountain running event, which is part of the international events labelled “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 will encounter throughout your experience in the Aran Valley. The official route is always planned in advance and available to the public for download on the official Val D'Aran by UTMB website. However, the route may vary due to weather conditions 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).
Elevation:
6858 m (22,500 ft).
Place:
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 of between 7,400 and 12,600 feet above sea level and its final route is announced moments before the event.
Description:
The Under Armour TransRockies Run or just Transrockies Run is one of the main competitions of the “TransRockies Race Series” , known as North America’s premier cycling, trail running and mountain bike racing series. The TransRockies Run itself is a 120-mile (193.121Km) stage trail running race through the Colorado Rockies Mountains with stunning views along the route that spans between 7,400 and 12,600 feet in elevation. It runs for 6 days and traverses the Continental Divide between Buena Vista and Beaver Creek. With a capacity of only 350 runners, the event sells out quickly each year. Those who do make it are treated to one of the most fun and exciting “running vacations” of their lives, creating unforgettable memories and moments between stages and at rest camps where they can celebrate and socialize with fellow participants. The organizers of the Under Armour TransRockies Run design a dynamic and challenging course that takes advantage of the spectacular mountain range available to them. Normally, they offer an estimated route of stages, but this is only to inspire competitors. To create more intrigue and to level the playing field, the actual route is kept secret until just before the event starts. For everyone, it will be a new challenge and a completely exciting adventure!
THE COASTAL CHALLENGE
Name:
The Coastal Challenge.
Duration:
6 days.
Place:
The tropical Pacific coast of Costa Rica.
Structure:
Expedition Run | 236km | 10363.2m elevation (34,000ft)
Day 1: 35k | 1018 m elevation gain | 886 m elevation gain
Day 2: 40k | 1989 m elevation gain | 1984 m elevation gain
Day 3: 44k | 1856 m elevation gain | 1705 m elevation gain
Day 4: 37k | 2466 m elevation gain | 2424 m elevation gain
Day 5: 52k | 1767 m elevation gain | 1770 m elevation gain
Day 6: 23k | 613 m elevation gain | 613 m elevation gain
Adventure Run | 155km | 3992.88m elevation (13,100ft)
Day 1: 35k | 1018m elevation gain | 886m elevation loss
Day 2: 20km | 236m positive elevation | 371m negative elevation
Day 3: 12.5k | 161m elevation gain | 174m elevation loss
Day 4: 19k | 771m positive elevation | 1594m negative elevation
Day 5: 33k | 1203m positive elevation | 1213m negative elevation
Day 6: 23k | 613m positive elevation | 613m negative elevation
General Description:
The Coastal Challenge (TCC) is a 6-day stage trail running race that runs through tropical forests, jungle, rivers and sandy beaches, each day with a different distance that changes in each of its annual editions. The race time is cumulative, and each day is timed from start to finish.At the end of the race, the times for each day are added together to obtain the total finish time.
The course runs along Costa Rica's tropical Pacific coast, but occasionally ventures into the Talamanca, a coastal mountain range in the southwestern corner of the country. There will generally be jungle and rainforest trails, mountain trails and singletrack across ridgelines, through highlands and coastal ranges, and there will be beaches, rock outcrops and reefs, river crossings, and miles of river that competitors must negotiate at various points along the course. The race finishes in Corcovado National Park, one of the world's largest expanses of rainforest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
MARATHON DES SABLES
Name:
Marathon des Sables.
Duration:
7 days.
Distance:
It covers an estimated 250 km distance.
Location:
Sahara Desert, Morocco.
Structure:
There are 6 stages, five of which are between 20 and 40 km and one stage is about 80 km.
Description:
The Marathon des Sables (MDS) is a trail running race held in Morocco and divided into stages, considered one of the toughest races in the world. It consists of a 250-kilometre course that can be completed by running or walking, and lasts for 7 days in total, taking place in the middle of the Sahara Desert, where the temperature reaches 40°C or more during the day. It is a test of self-sufficiency, so each of its 800 runners must bring their own food, sleeping bag and other equipment. It has 6 stages, of which 5 range from 20 to 40 kilometres, and also includes a final stage of about 80 kilometres. Although the race route changes annually, it generally always consists of rocky plains, dry riverbeds and sandy dunes; occasionally participants also pass through one or two small towns in the area. Historically, it has been organised in Morocco by Frenchman Patrick Bauer since 1986.
TEMPLIERS FESTIVAL
Name:
The Grand Trail of the Templiers.
Duration:
7 days.
Place:
Millau, France.
Structure:
12 races.
General Description:
The Grand Trail des Templiers (or 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 for a 3-day festival structured into 12 races in total. Millau, the site of this splendorous sporting event, has become the leading French city in terms of sport. All the landscapes have a very emblematic aspect, with secret passages, castles, haunted villages and small towns that immerse you in a knightly atmosphere among amazing landscapes such as the Dourbie gorges, the Larzac cliffs, and the Owl's Cave.
BUFF® EPIC TRAIL VAL DE BOÍ
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 run almost exclusively on trails.
BUFF® Epic Trail 12 KM: Short distance race, with a low-tech and popular layout. It includes easy trails with a total of 480 m of accumulated elevation gain.
BUFF® Epic Trail 26 KM: Medium distance race. Technical route, with 3,600 m of cumulative elevation gain.
BUFF® Epic Trail 42 KM: Marathon distance race. Technical route, with 2,900 m of positive gradient and 5,600 m of cumulative gradient.
BUFF® Epic Trail 68 KM: A 68km foot race with a gradient of over 10,000 metres. A circular route around the outskirts of the Aigüestortes National Park and the mountains surrounding the Boí Taüll ski resort. The race must be completed in less than 17 hours.
BUFF® Epic Trail KV (KV World Championships): Race of approximately 2.8 km and 1,000 m of positive gradient.
General Description:
The Buff Mountain Festival offers a wide range of activities open to the general public in the Vall d'Roi. Its main race is the BUFF® Epic Trail, a 68 km trail running race with a gradient of over 10,000 metres. Its circular route takes place in the peripheral area of the Aigüestortes National Park and in the mountains surrounding the Boí Taüll ski resort. This is a very demanding and high-level trail competition, suitable only for mountain runners who are physically fit enough to withstand the highest ski resort in the Pyrenees. In general, the BUFF® Mountain Festival brings together sport, family and mountains with an endless number of recreational activities for the whole family, from the most competitive such as MTB, duathlon or climbing, to the most participatory such as rafting, canyoning, workshops, trekking and musical entertainment.
OLYMPUS MARATHON
Name:
Olympus Marathon.
Duration:
10h.
Distance:
44 Km.
Elevation:
+3200 m.
Place:
Mount Olympus, Litochoro (Greece).
General Description:
The Olympus Marathon is an internationally renowned trail running race, especially known for evoking a historical theme based on ancient Greece. It is a demanding mountain marathon that relives the pilgrimage of the ancient Greeks to Mount Olympus, which they climbed every year to honour the god Zeus. Today, athletes who participate in the Olympus Marathon relive Greek history along the trails of Mount Olympus on a total route of 44 km and +3200 metres of positive gradient that starts in the early hours of the morning from Dion, a small town full of sacred ruins, making a stretch by road to the foothills of Mount Olympus. Once at the top, participants reach the Throne of Zeus where a descent of more than 20 km begins; the most dizzying are the last 14 km between Prionia and Litochoro. You will undoubtedly feel like you are running alongside the gods!
TRANSVULCANIA ULTRAMARATHON
Name:
Transvulcania Ultramarathon.
Distance:
74.33 Km.
Elevation:
Cumulative positive gradient of 4,350 m and a cumulative negative gradient 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 gradient of 8,525 m. However, Transvulcania as a sporting event includes 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 (Ruta del Bastón) long-distance trail to Puerto de Tazacorte, from which point it links up with the GR 130 (Camino Real de la Costa) to the finish line in Plaza de España in Los Llanos de Aridane. As a sine qua non condition, runners must pass through more than 10 checkpoints located along the route, always considering the closing time of each one. It has been held on the island of La Palma since 2009 and is attended by thousands of national and international runners. Transvulcania has been a qualifying event for the World Mountain Race Championship since 2012.
