Patagonia Run
Patagonia Run 110K
San Martín de los Andes
Race guide
Updated 29 June 2026
The Patagonia Run 110K is a point-to-point mountain ultra that begins and ends in San Martín de los Andes, looping through the dramatic Andean landscape of Argentine Patagonia. Covering 109 km with 6,225 m of accumulated climb and a high point of 1,939 m, it is a serious multi-day effort that tests mountain running fitness, navigation composure, and the ability to manage effort across an extended time window that closes at 08:00 on Day 3. Starting from the Regimiento Caballería de Exploración de Montaña 4 at 794 m and finishing back in San Martín de los Andes at 795 m, the race is essentially circular in elevation profile yet anything but flat in between — the 6,225 m of vertical gain spread across 109 km means an average gradient challenge that demands consistent, disciplined climbing throughout.
Course & Terrain
The course is rooted in the Andean foothills and mountains surrounding San Martín de los Andes, a region defined by dense Valdivian temperate forest, exposed ridgelines, glacier-carved valleys, and volcanic rock underfoot. Trails range from well-worn singletrack through lenga beech and coihue forest to rougher, more technical sections on open mountain terrain above the treeline. The high point of 1,939 m places runners well above the valley floor, offering exposed ridgeline running where wind and weather can change rapidly. With a start and finish elevation of roughly 794–795 m, the bulk of the course involves sustained climbs and descents through this varied terrain, and runners should expect a mix of runnable dirt trails, rooty forest paths, and rockier alpine stretches near the summit zones.
The Decisive Climbs & Descents
With 6,225 m of total ascent over 109 km, the climbing is relentless rather than concentrated into one or two iconic walls — averaging roughly 57 m of gain per kilometre across the entire course. That said, the push to the high point at 1,939 m represents the most exposed and demanding section of the race, and how runners manage themselves on the ascents leading to and descending from that elevation will largely determine their finishing time and condition. The descents in Patagonian mountain terrain can be punishing on quads: technical root and rock sections through forest demand careful footwork rather than reckless speed, while longer grassy or scree descents test ankle stability. Runners who charge the early climbs without restraint typically pay heavily on the back half of the course, where cumulative elevation loss compounds fatigue significantly.
Pacing Strategy
The cut-off is Day 3 at 08:00, giving runners a generous but finite multi-day window to complete 109 km and 6,225 m of climb. The smart approach is to treat this as a true ultra: hike the uphills efficiently from the very first climb, run only what is genuinely runnable, and preserve leg integrity through the technical descents. Given the multi-day format, sleep management and moving through the night may be required for mid-to-back-of-pack runners, making mental preparation for night running in remote Andean terrain essential. Break the race into manageable segments using checkpoints as psychological milestones, and resist the temptation to bank time early by pushing climbs — the 6,225 m total gain will extract a heavy toll from anyone who neglects the power-hike discipline that defines successful ultra mountain racing.
Fueling & Hydration
A 109 km mountain race with nearly 6,300 m of vertical movement burns significant calories, and runners must arrive with a fueling strategy that accounts for both high-output climbing efforts and the slower, colder periods that come with multi-day racing in Patagonia. Carry sufficient calories between checkpoints to avoid energy deficits on the long mountain sections, where resupply may be sparse. Hydration sources in Patagonian mountain terrain are often abundant — streams and rivers are common — but always treat or filter backcountry water. Solid food tolerance tends to decline in the later stages of any ultra; practise eating real food during training and rely on easily digestible options during the race's hardest climbing sections. Electrolyte management is critical given the combination of extended duration, variable temperatures, and sustained sweating on climbs.
Conditions to Expect
San Martín de los Andes and its surrounding Andean mountains are notorious for fast-changing weather, and Patagonia as a region is defined by its unpredictability. Even in the warmer race season, temperatures at the 1,939 m high point can drop sharply, and wind exposure on open ridgelines can create serious chill factors. Rain is always possible, which transforms forest trails into slippery, root-strewn obstacles and adds considerable difficulty to technical descents. Runners should carry mandatory waterproof layers regardless of the forecast at race start. Early morning and night sections will be cold, especially at elevation, so a thermal layer and gloves should always be accessible. Conversely, valley sections on clear days can be warm and sunny, demanding sunscreen, good hydration, and UV-protective kit — the full range of Patagonian conditions can appear within a single day on course.
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✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 740 m · —
7.9 km · 997 m · —
14.8 km · 1387 m · —
25.1 km · 1025 m · —
35.4 km · 929 m · —
51.7 km · 664 m · Saturday 20:00
58.1 km · 654 m · Saturday 21:00
68.8 km · 655 m · Saturday 23:15
77 km · 1037 m · Sunday 02:00
89.4 km · 1025 m · Sunday 05:00
98 km · 892 m · Sunday 06:00
99.8 km · 0 m · Sunday 06:30
107.3 km · 651 m · Sunday 08:00
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