Puerto Vallarta by UTMB®
Puerto Vallarta by UTMB® – Ereno 20K
Canopy River Park
Race guide
Updated 18 July 2026
The Ereno 20K is the short course at Puerto Vallarta by UTMB, but do not mistake short for easy. Over just 20 km it packs 1011 m of positive climb, giving it a vertical density that punishes anyone who treats it like a casual trail run. It starts high in the jungle at Canopy River Park (177 m), climbs hard to a high point of 847 m, then plunges all the way to a sea-level finish in Puerto Vallarta at 2 m. This is a race defined by two big movements: a steep early climb through the Jalisco jungle, and a long, knee-loading descent to the coast. With a single cut-off at Aguacatera and a finish cut-off at Sat 12:00, it is a demanding morning of running best approached with respect for both the ascent and the drop that follows.
The course: climb out, then drop to the sea
The Ereno 20K launches from Canopy River Park at 177 m and climbs almost immediately. Guasimas arrives at 4.9 km already at 452 m, meaning nearly 275 m of gain in the opening stretch. The route keeps climbing to its high point of 847 m before easing back down toward Aguacatera at 12.2 km (587 m). That front half is where the bulk of the 1011 m of climb is earned, on jungle trail that rises fast out of the canopy park. From Aguacatera the character flips completely. The course descends to Carmelitas at 15.5 km (322 m) and then keeps falling all the way to the Puerto Vallarta finish at 20 km and just 2 m above sea level. In the space of under 8 km the route sheds roughly 585 m, turning the back half into a sustained descent that runs from mountain jungle down into the coastal city.
Where it is won: the early climb and the long descent
With over 1000 m of climb crammed into 20 km, the Ereno is decided in two places. First, the climb from the Canopy start through Guasimas to the 847 m high point: this is steep and comes early, so pacing it is critical. Go too hard chasing position on the ascent and you will have nothing left for the part that actually tests most runners, which is the descent. That descent is the second decisive zone. Dropping from around 587 m at Aguacatera to 2 m at the finish, with a step down through Carmelitas at 322 m, it is long enough and steep enough to shred quadriceps that are not prepared for it. Runners who climb within themselves and arrive at Aguacatera with fresh legs can make up huge time on the way down; those who over-cooked the climb will brake and hobble the whole way to the coast.
Pacing, cut-offs and fuelling
The Ereno has a tight schedule for a short race. The cut-off at Aguacatera (12.2 km) is Sat 10:30, and the finish cut-off in Puerto Vallarta is Sat 12:00. That means the crux climb and high point must be behind you well before mid-morning, so the plan is to move steadily and efficiently on the ascent rather than stopping and starting. Aid is available at the Canopy start (a crew point), at Guasimas (4.9 km), at Aguacatera (12.2 km) and at the finish (also a crew point), with Carmelitas at 15.5 km on the descent. The longest carry is the 7.3 km from Guasimas to Aguacatera, which contains the high point, so fuel and drink for that climb before you leave Guasimas. After Aguacatera the finish is close and mostly downhill, so you can run lighter to the coast. Because much of the effort is in heat and humidity, prioritise fluids and electrolytes throughout.
Conditions to expect
Puerto Vallarta sits on the Pacific coast of Jalisco, and the Ereno runs from jungle highlands down to the city, so expect warm, humid conditions typical of the tropics. The finish at 2 m of altitude means you end at sea level where heat and humidity are usually at their strongest, and the descent offers little of the shade the climb may provide. Hydration and heat management are as important here as leg strength. The terrain is genuine trail: a steep jungle climb out of Canopy River Park followed by a long technical descent into Puerto Vallarta. Runners should arrive prepared for footing that changes as the route drops toward the coast, and for the specific muscular demand of a sustained downhill. Train your descending legs and manage the heat, and the Ereno 20K delivers a big-mountain feel over a compact, spectacular distance.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-17) · official source
0 km · 177 m · —
4.9 km · 452 m · —
12.2 km · 587 m · Sat 10:30
15.5 km · 322 m · —
20 km · 2 m · Sat 12:00
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