Sierra Andina Mountain Trail

Sierra Andina Mountain Trail Race Details

Race Days: Saturday, August 8 - Sunday 9, 2020

This race takes place in the Cordillera Blanca mountain range, the highest tropical mountain range in the world.  This mountain range was declared a Biosphere Reserve by UNESECO in 1985 for its flora and fauna, and pre-Incan ruins and culture which is still celebrated today.  The National Geographic even considers this trail (the 45k route) one of the 21 World’s best hikes: Epic Trails, mentioning that “the Cordillera Blanca are one of the most concentrated collections of big peaks in the Western Hemisphere.” This mountain range is the home to the highest point in Peru, Huascarán, which peaks at 6,768, (22,205ft).  Over the last few decades, the Cordillera Blanca has become world recognized for its incredible running trails.  Runners are strongly recommended to arrive in Huaraz, Ancash a few days prior to racing to acclimate to the altitude. The Sierra Andina Mountian trail has been recognized for its world class routes and world class race organization. There are four races, for different levels of runners:

13k Llanganuco Valley

• 13.6km (8.35 miles) total distance, in-and-out course
• Start time: Saturday, August 8, 8:00am  at Laguna Chinancocha, Ancash (2.5 hr drive from Huaraz)
• Starting/Finishing Altitude: 3,840m (12,600ft) above sea level.
• Highest Point: 3,915m (12,845ft) above sea level
• +/-100m (328ft) Cumulative Elevation Gain/Loss
• 1 Aid stop
• Highlights: Run alongside beautiful turquoise glaciel lakes in the Cordillera Blanca, with low elevation gains on mostly dirt roads.  The route is great for beginners and advanced runners who want a beautiful scenic run with views of waterfalls, glaciers, and Peru’s greatest mountain peaks.
• Course Photos & Map

30k Pisco

• 30km (18.6 miles) total distance, loop course
• Start time: Saturday, August 8, 7:00am at Laguna Chinancocha, Ancash (2.5hr drive from Huaraz)
• Starting/Finishing Altitude: 3,840m (12,600ft) above sea level.
• Highest Point: 4,875m (15,995ft) above sea level
• +/-1,400m (4,600ft) Cumulative Elevation Gain/Loss
• 4 Aid stops
• Highlights: One of the toughest but most rewarding 30k trails out there. You will hit two of the most iconic places of Huascaran National Park: Lake 69, and Pisco Base Camp.  Even though this race is shorter than the famous Santa Cruz 45k, it is often considered just as difficult.  You will reach 4,875m (15,995ft) elevation and run over 5k above 4,600m (15,090ft), but no finisher will deny, it is worth the sacrifice.
• Course Photos & Map

45k The Santa Cruz Trail

• 45km (28 miles) total distance, point to point course
• Start time: Sunday, August 9, 6:00amat Vaqueria, Ancash (5hr drive from Huaraz)
• Starting Altitude: 3,720m (15,580ft) above sea level, Finishing Altitude: 2,930m (9,612ft).
• Highest Point: 4,750m (15,995ft) above sea level
• +1,875m (6,150ft) /-2,620m (8,595ft) Cumulative Elevation Gain/Loss
• 6 Aid stops
• Runners will spend the night in Illariy Lodgethe night before the race (shared room lodging included in price, availability limited to first 20 participants, and after, tents are provided to camp in the area. Sleeping bags can be rented additionally if needed).
• Highlights: The most iconic and famous trek in the Cordillera Blanca, ranked by National Geographic asone of the best 21 hikes in the world.  Typically trekked over 4-days, this course is famous in the runner’s world, but often considered the best hidden gem of South America, as its altitude and difficulty keep most tourists away.  The first 18k (11mi) will ascend to Punta Union Pass at 4,750m (15,584ft) to see one of the best views in all of Peru.  Racers will run through many of the snowcapped peaks, flowing glaciers, and crystal turquoise lakes of the Cordillera Blanca.  If there were ever a moment to challenge yourself and push new limits, this is one you will never forget.
• Course Photos & Map

80k Huascarán (2-Day)

• 80km (50 miles) total distance, point to point course
• Day 1 (35k, 22 miles):
  • Start time: Saturday, August 8, 7:00am at Laguna Chinancocha (first Llanganuco Lake) in the Llanganuco Valley, Ancash (2.5hr drive from Huaraz). Lollipop loop.
  • Starting Altitude: 3,850m (12,630ft) above sea level, Finishing Altitude: 3,720m (12,204ft) above sea level
  • Highest Point: 4,880m (16,010ft) above sea level
  • +2,300 (ft) Cumulative Elevation Gain
  • 5 Aid stops
  • Race finishes in Vaqueria, where runners will meet with the 45km racers and spend the night together at Illariy Lodge (shared room lodging included in price, availability limited to first 20 participants, and after, tents are provided to camp in the area. Sleeping bags can be rented additionally if needed).
  • Highlights: Starts in the Llanganuco Valley of the Cordillera Blanca, up to Pisco Basecamp Refuge, traversing to the famous breathtaking (quite literally) Lake 69.
  • This is a tough day, with two large high mountain pass crossings, but the views make the trek worth every moment.

• Day 2 (45k, 28 miles): (same route and times as 45km distance)
  • Start time: Sunday, August 9, 6:00am at Vaqueria, Ancash
  • Starting Altitude: 3,720m (12,204ft) above sea level, Finishing Altitude: 2,930m (9,612ft).
  • Highest Point: 4,750m (15,995ft) above sea level
  • +1,875m (6,150ft) /-2,620m (8,595ft) Cumulative Elevation Gain/Loss
  • 6 Aid stops
  • Highlights: The most iconic and famous trek in the Cordillera Blanca. Major highlights including the Punta Union Pass at 4,750m with one of the best views in all of Peru, and breathtaking 360 views of snowcapped peaks, flowing glaciers, and crystal turquoise lakes of the Cordillera Blanca.
• Course Photos & Map

For  more details about the race, check out the official 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.