Puerto Vallarta by UTMB®
Puerto Vallarta by UTMB® – Haramara 37K
Malecón Puerto Vallarta
Race guide
Updated 18 July 2026
The Haramara 37K is the middle distance at Puerto Vallarta by UTMB, a 37 km loop with 1501 m of positive climb that starts and finishes at sea level on the Malecon of Puerto Vallarta. It is a genuine round trip between two worlds: the coastal city at 4 m and the jungle highlands that rise to a high point of 850 m, connected by one big climb out and one long descent home. Because both ends of the race sit at the sea, all of the day's 1501 m of climb is concentrated in the middle. That gives the Haramara a clear rhythm: run out along the coast and up through the canopy, work the sustained ascent to the high point, then commit to the descent back to the Malecon. Cut-offs at Guasimas, Aguacatera and the finish keep the clock honest throughout.
The course: from the Malecon into the jungle and back
The Haramara starts on the Malecon of Puerto Vallarta at just 4 m above sea level and eases inland to Canopy at 8.7 km (183 m), a gentle opening that lets the field settle before the real climbing. From Canopy the route turns steeply upward: Guasimas at 16.2 km sits at 453 m, and the climb continues through Higueras at 20.9 km (624 m) to the course high point of 850 m. After the high point the race is all about coming home. Aguacatera at 29.1 km sits at 591 m, and from there the route descends steadily over the final 8 km back to the Puerto Vallarta finish at 4 m. With sea-level bookends and 1501 m of climb in between, the profile is essentially one long push up into the Jalisco hills followed by one long drop back to the coast.
Where the race is decided: the mid-race climb
The decisive terrain is the sustained climb from Canopy (183 m at 8.7 km) through Guasimas and Higueras to the 850 m high point. That is the better part of 650 m of gain over roughly 12 km, and it is where the field spreads out. Runners who spent the flat coastal opening too aggressively will feel the climb bite from Guasimas onward, while those who eased through the first 8.7 km arrive at the base of the climb with the legs to work it steadily. The second half of the decision comes on the descent. From Aguacatera at 591 m the route loses nearly 590 m over the final 8 km to the finish. It is long enough to reward strong, controlled downhill running and to punish quads that are already cooked from a hard climb. The winning approach is patience on the ascent so you can run the descent to the Malecon with confidence rather than braking all the way down.
Pacing, cut-offs and fuelling
The Haramara enforces two intermediate cut-offs: Guasimas at 16.2 km must be cleared by Sat 08:45, and Aguacatera at 29.1 km by Sat 12:15, with the finish cut-off at Sat 14:00. The early Guasimas cut-off means you cannot dawdle on the coastal approach and the first part of the climb; keep moving with purpose from the Malecon so the mountain does not put you behind schedule. Aid stations sit at Canopy (8.7 km), Guasimas (16.2 km), Higueras (20.9 km) and Aguacatera (29.1 km), with the finish a crew point. The longest single carry is the 8.2 km from Higueras over the high point to Aguacatera, so fuel and hydrate fully before leaving Higueras since that gap covers the top of the course. After Aguacatera the finish is a downhill run to the coast, so you can travel lighter for the last 8 km. In the tropical heat, drink and take electrolytes consistently rather than waiting until you feel thirsty.
Conditions to expect
Puerto Vallarta lies on the Pacific coast of Jalisco, and the Haramara starts and finishes at sea level on the Malecon, so heat and humidity are the defining environmental factors. The lower sections near the coast tend to be the hottest, and because the race returns to 4 m at the finish, the closing descent is run in the warmest air of the day. Managing core temperature and fluids is as important to your result as your climbing fitness. The route itself moves from urban seafront onto jungle trail as it climbs toward the 850 m high point, so expect the surface and shade to change through the day. Prepare for a steep, sustained mid-race climb followed by a long descent on tiring legs. Train both your uphill endurance and your downhill durability, respect the heat, and the Haramara 37K offers a complete coast-to-jungle-and-back tour of the Puerto Vallarta backcountry.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-17) · official source
0 km · 4 m · —
8.7 km · 183 m · —
16.2 km · 453 m · Sat 08:45
20.9 km · 624 m · —
29.1 km · 591 m · Sat 12:15
37 km · 4 m · Sat 14:00
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