This is a seriously tough ultra marathon that covers every type of terrain the area has to offer. You need to be an experienced, capable mountain runner to complete this course within the Cut Off Times (COT) – please do refer to the COT before you sign up.
The race begins in Sapa town. This means you can expect crowds to be cheering you at the start line before you run into the night.
The route then continues over Ham Rong Mountain. After CP M2 a new route will bring you along the mountain side with stunning views of the Muong Hoa valley.
You will then climb up a single track route toward Mount Silverstone. This is an alternative to the usual VMM route up to the peak. After Silverstone, the route continues to the next valley of Ban Moi (CP M4), home of the Red Dao people. After crossing this valley, you will race to the checkpoint at Topas Ecolodge.
You will then face the climb back up to Topas Ecolodge Checkpoint.
After a road run section, you will descend steeply down into the valley where you will find a Water Station.
Across the river you will face a very steep climb then onto a traverse to the Red Dao ethnic village of Giang Ta Chai. A stunning rice terrace section will then bring you to CP1 at Lao Chai village.
The climb from CP1 – CP2 is updated, extending it higher up the mountainside. You will pass some remote Hmong villages with panoramic views of the valley.
After CP3 at O Quy Ho you head onto many runners’ favourite part of our course – Cow Mountain (Núi Bò). After an initial climb through farmland, you will emerge onto the rugged ridge line, with single track trail taking you to the peak.
On a clear day at the top, you will have stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest summit. For us, this is one of the most jaw dropping vistas of the course and indeed, all of Vietnam.
If you have good legs, the following descent is a sheer joy, especially in the dry; in the wet however, it can be challenging. In the dry, much of it is runnable and the views are incredible. You’ll finish your downhill in Ta Phin village at CP4. From here, the character of the course changes again, with a riverside trail section, then some forest on your way to CP5.
The trail from CP5 (31 Bridge) takes you through Sau Chua village on great quality, but very challenging trail with some seriously steep uphill. On a clear day, the views here will help take the edge off the challenge, we promise!
From CP6 you will enjoy a net downhill to CP7. You’ll run through lots of small villages as well as some bamboo forest sections.
After CP7 comes the infamous Mount Silverstone climb on steep trail. Your reward at the top is another great view.
From here it’s time for the final section to the finish line and the famous welcome at Topas Ecolodge. Here you can relax and enjoy the feeling of triumph together with your fellow mountain runners.
