Andes Race is a 100km ultra marathon in Huaraz, Peru. Distance: 100km. Elevation: 5,500m D+. Difficulty: brutal (Challenge Rating 58/100). DNF rate: 30%. Time limit: 30h. Surface: trail. Established 2015.
Andes Race
Huaraz, Áncash, Peru
"100km at 4,800m in the Andes. Glacial lakes, 6,000m peaks, and the thin air of the Cordillera Blanca."
A high-altitude 100K through Peru's Cordillera Blanca — the highest tropical mountains on Earth with glacial lakes and 6,000m peaks.
The Course
A high-altitude loop through the Cordillera Blanca, home to the highest tropical mountains in the world. The course reaches 4,800m, passing turquoise glacial lakes, snow-capped peaks over 6,000m, and ancient Inca trails. Extreme altitude is the defining challenge.
mountainous
loop
6
4,800m
Runner Experience
Remote course with widely spaced aid points. Runners should be prepared for long unsupported stretches.
Intimate finish in a remote setting. The camaraderie of shared hardship creates deep bonds between finishers.
Race Day Weather
6°C
-5° – 16°
40%
15%
Andean dry season — cold and clear. Intense solar radiation at altitude. Freezing at night above 4,000m.
Stats & Records
2015
100
22:00:00
Entry
USD 250
January
months
Lore & Trivia
The Andes Race runs through the Peruvian highlands above Cusco — ancient Inca territory where the altitude alone is enough to break you. The 100km course follows pre-Columbian trails through the Vilcanota Range, crossing passes above 4,800m beneath glaciated peaks. Quechua-speaking communities along the route have watched runners pass through their ancestral landscapes for years now, and the cultural encounter is as moving as the physical challenge. The thin air at 4,000m+ reduces oxygen availability by 40%, turning moderate climbs into gasping ordeals.
- ▸ 100km through the Vilcanota Range above Cusco, Peru.
- ▸ Crosses passes above 4,800m — extreme high-altitude racing.
- ▸ Pre-Columbian Inca trails form much of the route.
- ▸ Quechua communities provide aid station support.
- ▸ Oxygen availability at race altitude is ~60% of sea level.
- ▸ Views of glaciated Andean peaks throughout the course.
- ▸ Acclimatisation at Cusco (3,400m) before the race is essential.
At 4,800 metres, your legs still work but your lungs have quit. The Andes teach you to crawl.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Andes Race? +
Andes Race is a 100km (100km) ultra marathon with 5,500m of elevation gain. The course is loop on trail terrain.
How hard is Andes Race? +
Andes Race is rated brutal with a Challenge Rating of 58/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 30%. Runners have 30 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Andes Race? +
Average temperature is 6°C (range -5°C to 16°C) with 40% humidity and a 15% chance of rain. Andean dry season — cold and clear. Intense solar radiation at altitude. Freezing at night above 4,000m.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Andes Race? +
No crew access is permitted. Pacers are not allowed. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the average finish time for Andes Race? +
The average finish time is 22:00:00. About 100 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 30%.
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