Colombia Ultra Trail is a 50km ultra marathon in Salento, Colombia. Distance: 50km. Elevation: 2,000m D+. Difficulty: moderate (Challenge Rating 37/100). DNF rate: 8%. Time limit: 12h. Surface: trail. Established 2017.
Colombia Ultra Trail
Salento, Quindío, Colombia
"50km through Colombia's coffee country. Wax palms, cloud forest, and the Cocora Valley."
A 50K through Colombia's coffee region and the Cocora Valley.
The Course
A trail ultra through Colombia's coffee-growing highlands — the Eje Cafetero, a UNESCO Cultural Landscape. The route climbs through coffee plantations where the world's finest arabica grows on volcanic soil, past towering wax palms (Colombia's national tree, reaching 60m), through cloud forest alive with hummingbirds and orchids, and into small towns where the plaza cafés serve the best tinto you'll ever drink mid-race. The terrain alternates between red-clay farm tracks, jungle single-track, and cobblestoned village streets.
mountainous
loop
5
Runner Experience
Standard aid station support with food, drinks, and basic medical assistance at regular intervals.
Warm, inclusive finish line with a strong community feel. Runners celebrate together regardless of finish time.
Race Day Weather
16°C
10° – 22°
70%
25%
Colombian highlands — mild, occasional afternoon rain.
Stats & Records
2017
200
07:30:00
Entry
COP 200000
February
months
Lore & Trivia
Colombia's ultra trail scene is one of the fastest-growing in South America, fueled by a running culture that thrives at altitude. The course winds through the coffee-growing highlands of the Eje Cafetero — a UNESCO Cultural Landscape — where green mountains are striped with coffee plantations, wax palms tower 60m above cloud forest, and small towns serve the best tinto you'll ever drink mid-race. Colombian runners dominate at altitude thanks to living and training above 2,000m year-round.
- ▸ The Cocora Valley has the world's tallest palm trees — the Quindío wax palm, reaching 60m.
- ▸ Colombia's coffee region is a UNESCO World Heritage cultural landscape.
- ▸ Hummingbirds are abundant along the trail through cloud forest.
- ▸ Established in 2017.
- ▸ Total elevation gain: 2000m.
Colombian coffee at 2,000 metres, mid-race, from a village grandmother — the best aid station in ultra running history.
Notable Editions
Colombian Altitude Dominance
Local Colombian runners, living and training above 2,000m, dominated the international field — a reminder that altitude-adapted athletes have a profound physiological advantage in highland racing.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Colombia Ultra Trail? +
Colombia Ultra Trail is a 50km (50km) ultra marathon with 2,000m of elevation gain. The course is loop on trail terrain.
How hard is Colombia Ultra Trail? +
Colombia Ultra Trail is rated moderate with a Challenge Rating of 37/100 (Moderate). The DNF rate is 8%. Runners have 12 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at Colombia Ultra Trail? +
Average temperature is 16°C (range 10°C to 22°C) with 70% humidity and a 25% chance of rain. Colombian highlands — mild, occasional afternoon rain.
Are crew and pacers allowed at Colombia Ultra Trail? +
No crew access is permitted. Pacers are not allowed.
What is the average finish time for Colombia Ultra Trail? +
The average finish time is 07:30:00. About 200 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 8%.
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