Patagonia Run 2026
Patagonia Run (100 Mile)
San Martín de los Andes
Race guide
Updated 19 July 2026
The Patagonia Run 100 Mile is one of South America's most celebrated ultra-distance races, threading 160 km of raw Patagonian wilderness through the mountains surrounding San Martín de los Andes in Argentina. Starting and finishing in the heart of town — from the Regimiento de Montaña 4 at 794 m to the Meta at Plaza San Martín at 795 m — the loop accumulates 6,225 m of total climbing and tops out at 1,939 m, delivering sustained mountain terrain rather than single brutal peaks. With a total cut-off of 48 hours spread across two nights and into the morning of day three, this is a race that demands disciplined pacing, meticulous crew logistics and a deep respect for Patagonian weather. Twenty checkpoints, including three full crew-access points (PAEX), give runners meaningful structure but also expose any planning gap the moment conditions turn.
Course & Terrain
The route begins at the Regimiento de Montaña 4 (794 m) and immediately climbs to PAS Vallescondido 1 at just 5.3 km and 1,158 m — a sharp wake-up before the trail descends and rolls through forest and open hillside to PAS del Galpón (13.1 km, 1,016 m) and PAS Las Pendientes (22.4 km, 864 m). From there the course drops toward lower valley ground at PAS del Maderero (36 km, 836 m) before a long mid-section loop pushes through Vallescondido again (48.3 km, 1,065 m) and returns to the crew-accessible PAEX 1 at PAS del Gimnasio (52.5 km, 824 m). The second half of the race navigates more remote terrain: climbing through PAS Rosales (61 km, 1,050 m), dipping at PAS Portezuelo (67.9 km, 852 m), then rising to PAS Colorado 1 at 78.2 km and 1,102 m before tackling the course's highest sustained section at PAS del Mallín (88.5 km, 1,553 m). The trail then descends significantly into the Quechuquina valley (104.7 km, 1,018 m) and into PAEX 2 at Nonthué (111.1 km, 1,193 m). The final 50 km features lake-level running at PAS del Lago (121.8 km, 779 m) before the course climbs sharply back to PAS Bayos at 1,331 m — the last major ascent — before the descent into town and the finish at Plaza San Martín.
Decisive Climbs and Where the Race Is Won or Lost
Three sections stand out as race-defining. The opening climb to Vallescondido 1 (5.3 km, +364 m from start) sets the tone: go out too hard in the excitement of race start and you will pay for it 80 km later. The section from PAS Colorado 1 (78.2 km) up to PAS del Mallín (88.5 km, 1,553 m) is the course's highest point and comes at a moment — deep in the second night — when energy reserves are typically crashing. The 10 km between these two checkpoints involves sustained climbing to near the 1,939 m high point and must be treated conservatively. The third decisive section is the late climb to PAS Bayos (151 km, 1,331 m) with only a 1-hour buffer between the Bayos cut-off (Day+2 06:00) and the finish cut-off (Day+2 08:00). Runners who arrive at Bayos having banked time will finish comfortably; those who scrape through will face a very hard final 9 km to Plaza San Martín.
Pacing Strategy
With 160 km and 6,225 m of climbing, a conservative early approach is essential. The PAEX 1 at PAS del Gimnasio (52.5 km) has a Day+1 02:00 cut-off, which means runners starting at or near midnight on Day 1 should not treat that first 52 km as an easy warm-up — the cut-off is firm and the terrain is technical. From PAEX 1, the rhythm shifts: the Nonthué PAEX 2 cut-off is Day+1 21:00 at 111.1 km, giving roughly 19 hours for the 58.6 km between crew points, a generous window that must account for the Mallín climb and the remote Quechuquina descent. The critical squeeze arrives in the final section: PAS del Lago cut-off is Day+1 23:15 (121.8 km), PAS Coihue Day+2 02:00 (130 km), PAS Colorado 2 Day+2 05:00 (142.4 km), PAS Bayos Day+2 06:00 (151 km) and the route-cut at 152.8 km Day+2 06:30. These checkpoints are only 1–2 hours apart, so any delay compounds rapidly. Plan to arrive at Nonthué with at least 2–3 hours of buffer if you want a controlled final push.
Fuelling and Crew Strategy
Three Puestos de Asistencia Total with crew access — PAEX 1 at PAS del Gimnasio (52.5 km), and PAEX 2 at PAS Nonthué (111.1 km), plus PAS Colorado 1 (78.2 km) and PAS Colorado 2 (142.4 km) listed as full assistance points — represent the race's logistical spine. Crews should prioritise a complete kit and food refresh at PAEX 1 since the next 58+ km into PAEX 2 pass through remote terrain with no crew access. Night nutrition is the most common failure point: the climb to Mallín (88.5 km) arrives deep in the second night and many runners lose appetite entirely. Carry real food — not just gels — for this segment, and start eating proactively from PAS Rosales (61 km) before appetite fades. A second night kit — extra layer, head-torch batteries, any blister management — should be staged at PAEX 2 Nonthué so crews can react to deteriorating conditions before the final lakeside and climbing sections.
Conditions to Expect
San Martín de los Andes sits in northern Patagonia, where weather is famously variable at any time of year. Runners should expect temperatures that can swing from warm afternoon sun in the low valleys to near-freezing wind and rain on exposed ridgelines above 1,500 m, particularly around the PAS del Mallín section (1,553 m) and the approach to the 1,939 m high point. Rain and wind can arrive without warning from the west; a waterproof shell and insulating layer are non-negotiable kit items for this race. Trail surfaces alternate between compact dirt singletrack, rocky technical ridge paths and muddy forest sections — expect traction conditions to deteriorate significantly if rain falls during the race. At high elevation and in exposed saddles, wind chill is the primary hazard during the two nights on course. Check race organisation briefings for mandatory kit lists, which are enforced at checkpoints.
Race Patagonia Run (100 Mile) with Crux
Get the strategy, fuelling and crew plan dialled for this exact course — built from the real route, climbs and cut-offs. Your first race is free.
Plan this race — freeCheckpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 740 m · Fri 14:00
5.3 km · 1014 m · —
13.1 km · 1390 m · —
22.4 km · 1442 m · —
36 km · 1396 m · —
48.3 km · 1014 m · —
52.5 km · 727 m · Sat 02:00
61 km · 997 m · —
67.9 km · 1387 m · —
78.2 km · 1025 m · —
88.5 km · 929 m · —
104.7 km · 664 m · Sat 20:00
111.1 km · 654 m · Sat 21:00
121.8 km · 655 m · Sat 23:15
130 km · 1037 m · Sun 02:00
142.4 km · 1025 m · Sun 05:00
151 km · 892 m · Sun 06:00
152.8 km · 1322 m · Sun 06:30
160.3 km · 651 m · Sun 08:00
More races
More in Argentina
Similar distance (100 miles and beyond)
Racing Patagonia Run (100 Mile)?
Get a complete race strategy — pacing, fuelling, crew plan and the crux moments — built on this exact course.
Plan your race in Crux →Strava is your training. Crux is your races.