El Cruce Columbia is a 100km / 3 stages ultra marathon in Villa La Angostura, Argentina. Distance: 100km. Elevation: 4,000m D+. Difficulty: moderate (Challenge Rating 48/100). DNF rate: 10%. Time limit: 72h. Surface: trail. Established 2003.
El Cruce Columbia
Villa La Angostura, Neuquén, Argentina
"100km across the Andes in three days. Cross the border from Argentina to Chile on foot."
A three-stage Andean border crossing — 100km from Argentina to Chile through Patagonian forests and volcanic terrain.
The Course
A three-stage border crossing from Argentina to Chile through the Andes. Each stage is approximately 33km through Patagonian lake district terrain — ancient forests, volcanic terrain, and glacier-fed rivers. Teams or solo runners cross the continental divide.
mountainous
point-to-point
6
Runner Experience
Standard aid station support with food, drinks, and basic medical assistance at regular intervals.
A legendary finish line atmosphere. El Cruce Columbia is a bucket-list race with celebrations that match its reputation.
Race Day Weather
14°C
4° – 22°
55%
30%
Patagonian summer — warm but unpredictable. Wind and rain can appear suddenly. Snow at altitude possible.
Stats & Records
2003
600
2:10:00:00
Entry
USD 600
May
months
Lore & Trivia
El Cruce (The Crossing) is a multi-stage race that crosses the Andes from Argentina to Chile — one of the few races in the world that literally crosses an international border on foot. The route traverses monkey puzzle forests, volcanic terrain, and the high passes of the Patagonian Andes near Bariloche. The three-day format and the drama of crossing the continental divide make El Cruce one of South America's most popular multi-stage events.
- ▸ Runners cross the international border from Argentina to Chile on foot during the race.
- ▸ The Araucaria forests along the course are millions of years old — living dinosaur-era trees.
- ▸ El Cruce is South America's largest multi-stage trail race.
- ▸ The team format creates a strong social atmosphere — many runners return year after year.
- ▸ Established in 2003.
El Cruce crosses the Andes from Argentina to Chile — literally running between countries through a mountain pass.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long is El Cruce Columbia? +
El Cruce Columbia is a 100km / 3 stages (100km) ultra marathon with 4,000m of elevation gain. The course is point-to-point on trail terrain.
How hard is El Cruce Columbia? +
El Cruce Columbia is rated moderate with a Challenge Rating of 48/100 (Challenging). The DNF rate is 10%. Runners have 72 hours to finish.
What is the weather like at El Cruce Columbia? +
Average temperature is 14°C (range 4°C to 22°C) with 55% humidity and a 30% chance of rain. Patagonian summer — warm but unpredictable. Wind and rain can appear suddenly. Snow at altitude possible.
Are crew and pacers allowed at El Cruce Columbia? +
No crew access is permitted. Pacers are not allowed. Mandatory gear is required.
What is the average finish time for El Cruce Columbia? +
The average finish time is 2:10:00:00. About 600 runners finish each year. The DNF rate is 10%.
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