Marcahuasi Ultra Trail Details

Race Days: Saturday, Sept. 26 – Sunday, Sept. 27, 2020

Marcahuasi is the toughest and most gratifying race in the Huarochiri region of Peru. It is located just a few hours from Lima, and is famous for its plateau which at nearly 4,000m (13,000ft) above sea level which holds the remains of pre-incan ruins and large stone formations and sets of huge granite rocks which resemble human faces, animals, and religious symbols.  The area has been researched and claimed to have miraculous healing energies. Marcahuasi Ultra Trail is not just a race, but a historic and cultural experience.

Participants who plan to run either the 16km, 40km, 60km, or 90km routes will run through the high Marcahuasi magestic plateau and are recommended (required for 60k and 90k) to check with their medical provider before running in high altitude. It is highly recommended to sleep two nights in the area before the race to acclimate to the altitude.

Race Details

10K: (10.2km/6.3miles)

  • Sun. Sept. 27, 9:00 am Start Time in Callahuanca, Huarochiri, Lima
  • Finishes in Callahuanca, Huarochiri, Lima
  • +820m (2,690ft) cumulative Elevation Gain
  • Race Time 1:20 – 4hrs
  • Elevation Range: 1,768– 2,503m (5,802 – 8,212ft) above sea level
  • Route details in Wikiloc, available for download
  • This race runs around the area of Callahuanca, and does not go up to or through the Marcahuasi Plateau

16K: (16.77km/10.42miles)

  • Sun. Sept. 27, 7:00 am Start Time
  • Finishes in Callahuanca, Huarochiri, Lima
  • +1,100m (3,609ft) cumulative Elevation Gain
  • Race Time: 2 – 5hrs
  • Elevation Range: 3,196 – 3,959m (10,484 – 12,989ft) above sea level
  • UTMB® 1 point
  • Route details in Wikiloc, available for download
  • This race starts and ends in Callahuanca, a small town in the Andes, and the trail takes you up to the peak of Marcahuasi Plateau and back down around to Callahuanca town in a loop.

30K: (29.6k/17.85miles)

  • Sun. Sept. 27, 1:00 am Start Time, in San Pedro de Casta, Huarochiri, Lima
  • Finishes in San Pedro de Casta, Huarochiri, Lima
  • +1,850m (6,070ft) cumulative Elevation Gain
  • Race Time: 3:45 – 9hrs
  • Elevation Range: 2,505 – 3,922m (8,218 – 12,867ft) above sea level
  • UTMB® 2 points
  • Route details in Wikiloc, available for download
  • This is a night race, and a more technical route, starting in San Pedro de Casta, running down to Huachaupampa along a pre-incan trail. It then ascends to the town of Huachupampa, and on towards Quebrada Carhuayuma before descending again to San Pedro de Casta.
  • Note: This race does not run through the Marcahuasi Plataeu, and is often said to be more challenging and technical than the 40k route.

40K: (39k/24.2miles)

  • Sun. Sept. 27, 7:00 am Start Time in San Pedro de Casta, Huarochiri, Lima
  • Finishes in Callahuanca, Huarochiri, Lima
  • +1,500m (4,921ft) cumulative Elevation Gain , -2,900 (-9,514ft) cumulative Elevation Loss
  • Race Time: 4:30 – 10hrs
  • Elevation Range: 1,780 – 3,958m (5,839 – 12,985ft) above sea level
  • UTMB® 2 points
  • Route details I-TRA
  • This route is a great race if you love descending! You will start the race at San Pedro de Casta, and make your way up to the famous Marcahuasi plateau and then enjoy a long descend all the way down to Callahuanca, along ancient pre-incan trails.

60K:   (60.27km/37.45miles)

  • Sun. Sept. 27, 2:00 am Start Time in Callahuanca, Huarochiri, Lima
  • Finishes in Callahuanca, Huarochiri, Lima
  • +3,200m (10,500ft) cumulative Elevation Gain
  • Race Time: Male record 6:06hrs Female record 8:17hrs. Typically the last runners will cross the finish line 14-16 hrs after start time.
  • Elevation Range: 1,596 – 3,959m (5,236 – 12,989ft) above sea level
  • UTMB® 3 points
  • Route details in Wikiloc, available for download
  • A challenging route, this race starts in Callahuanca, continues up to San Pedro de Casta, and ascending onwards to Marcahuasi Plateau, before descending to Callahuanca through Chauca and continue downwards through  the Andean towns of San  Mateo de Otao, Singuna, and finally returning to Callahuanca.
  • To participate, a letter of medical approval is required, or proof of running (2) similar races in the past year.

90K: (90.6km/56.3miles)

  • Sat. Sept. 26, 8:00 pm Start Time in Callahuanca, Huarochiri, Lima
  • Finishes in Callahuanca, Huarochiri, Lima
  • +5,370m (17,618ft) cumulative Elevation Gain
  • Race Time: Male record 12:36hrs Female record 14:37hrs. Typically the last runners will cross the finish line 20-22 hrs after start time.
  • Elevation Range: 1,595 – 3,958m (5,232 – 12,985ft) above sea level
  • UTMB® 4 points
  • Route details in Wikiloc, available for download
  • An extreme ultra race. Runners will start in Callahuanca Saturday night, and race all through the night, up to San Pedro de Casta, Huachupampa, and to  the highest point of Marcahuasi Plataeu, and after, descend to Chauca, Otao and Callahuanca.  This race is definitely one of the most challenging runs Peru has to offer.  Are you ready?
  • To participate, a letter of medical approval is required, or proof of running (2) similar races in the past year.

Marcahuasi, Callahuanca, and San Pedro de Casta are beautiful to visit. Providing time to acclimate will allow visitors to experience the majestic area before the race begins.  There are many ruins and sights to see around.  The towns are not often visited by tourists, so you can appreciate and learn what Andean life is really like for locals.

Race organization works with AGMP-UIAGM mountain guides and complies with international race regulations. See more details about the race and routes here: Marcahuasi Ultra Trail (Spanish Only)

MUT is one of my (Kelly) favorite races in Peru.  Marcahuasi radiates an indescribable energy that is magical to run through.

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.

Marcahuasi Ultra Trail Adventure Packages

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