Andes Race Ultra

Andes Race Ultra Marathon Details

Race Days: Friday, August 28 - Saturday 29, 2020

The Andes race is the first Ultra Marathon created in Cusco, Peru—the center of the Inca empire.  Racers will run through the Sacred Valley if the Incas, and experience the culture, history and energy of the Inca Kingdom. The Ultra Marathon was created in 2015 and is organized every August since.  This year, in 2020, the 60k and 13k routes will be include competitors competing for the National championship of Trail and Mountain, organized by the Peruvian Sports Federation, Federacion Peruana de Atletismo.

The race is considered a tribute to the Chaskis, who were the vital members of the Inca empire who ran messages and orders across the Andes via Qghapaq Ñan and the Inca trail routes.  Runners will experience a unique insight of what it was like to be a Chaski in the 15^thand 16^thcentury. How Chaski are you?

The altitude of the races range from 2,850m (ft) to 4700m (ft) above sea level. It is recommended to arrive at least two days prior to acclimate.

13k

• 13km (8 miles) total distance
• Start time: Saturday, August 29, 9:00am at Willoq, Cusco
• Finish location: Ollantaytambo, Cusco
• Lowest altitude: 2,847m (9,340ft) ,
• Highest altitude: 3,570m (12,303ft) above sea level
• +390m (1,280ft) /-3,642m (ft) Cumulative Elevation Gain/Loss
• 1 Aid stop
• Estimated time: 1:15-3hrs
• Download 13k route here

30k

• 30km (18.6 miles) total distance
• Start time: Saturday, August 29, 9:00am at Huacahuasi, Cusco
• Finish location: Ollantaytambo, Cusco
• Lowest altitude: 2,847m (9,340ft) ,
• Highest altitude: 4,500m (14,734ft) above sea level
• +1,050m (3,445ft) /-2,020m (6,627ft) Cumulative Elevation Gain/Loss
• 4 Aid stops
• Fastest time: 3:00hrs
• UTMB® 2 points
• Race starts with a gnarly 700m ascend up to Abra Ipsaijasa at 4,500m (14,734ft), followed by a long descend to Willoc, up to one last short ascend and descend to Ollantaytambo.
• Download the 30k route here

60k

• 60km (37.3 miles) total distance
• Start time: Saturday, August 29, 3:00am at Lares, Cusco
• Finish location: Ollantaytambo, Cusco
• Lowest altitude: 2,847m (9,340ft) ,
• Highest altitude: 4,500m (14,734ft) above sea level
• +3,600m (11,810ft) /-3,930m (12,890ft) Cumulative Elevation Gain/Loss
• 5 Aid stops, 4 Safety Points
• Fastest time: 6-7hrs, max time allowed: 16 hrs
• UTMB® 3 points
• There will be cutoffs at km 33 after 9hrs (12pm), and km 46 after 12hrs (3pm)
• This race is for advanced trail runners, and ultra-runners. With two mountain passes over 4,400m (14,400ft) altitude and a cumulative elevation gain of 3,600m (11,810ft), runners must come prepared for the challenge! You will gain a new respect for the Chaski and leave forever changed.
• Download the 60k route here

100k

• 100km (62.1 miles) total distance
• Start time: Friday, August 28, 5:00pm at Huarán, Cusco
• Finish location: Ollantaytambo, Cusco
• Lowest altitude: 2,847m (9,340ft) ,
• Highest altitude: 4,700m (15,420ft) above sea level
• +6,190m (20,308ft) /-6,270m (20,570ft) Cumulative Elevation Gain/Loss
• 8 Aid stops, 6 Safety Points
• Fastest time: 13hrs, max time allowed: 26 hrs
• UTMB® 5 points
• There will be cutoffs at km 22 after 7hrs (12am), km 40 after 12hrs (5am), km 73 after 18hrs (12pm), km 86
• This race is for advanced trail runners, and ultra-runners only. The distance and elevation gains are gnarly, but the views make every step worth it. Runners will pass by glacier lakes, through small Andean towns, and overpass mountain ranges just as the Chaski did during the Inca Empire.  There is no route in Peru just like this, it is one of the most challenging races organized in South America, and runners will experience an adventure like no other through the Sacred Valley of the Incas.  Prepare for one crazy, amazing, mind blowing race.
• Download the 100k route here

For more race details, check out the official race website here

Run in Peru will no longer be offering organized guided tours for this race in 2020.  We are happy to organize a personalized non-guided trip to runners who want to participate. Contact us for more details.