🇦🇷 Patagonia Run 100 Millas
April 8-12, 2026 • San Martín de los Andes, Argentina
⚠️ Qualification Required — You need 12 ITRA points from max 3 races (2024-2026), with at least one 110K+ finish. Or be a Patagonia Run 110K/100Mi finisher from 2024-2025.
🌡️ Weather Reality — April = late autumn in Patagonia. Expect temps from 25-50°F, potential snow above treeline, fierce Patagonian winds, and rapidly changing conditions. Pack layers!
📍 Course Sections + Training
Training options from both Marina Del Rey and Kanab 🏃
Forest Trails
Rolling Hills
River Crossings
Starting from San Martín de los Andes at ~2,500ft, you'll wind through dense Patagonian forest along Lake Lácar. The terrain is deceptively runnable — resist the urge to bank time. Early river crossings may be cold. Save your legs for what's coming.
Aid Stations: Start (Mi 0) → Quila Quina (Mi ~12) → First Major AS (Mi ~20)
💡 Strategy & Advice
- Start conservative. The 45-hour cutoff is generous if you're smart. Don't chase fast starters.
- Test your gear. This is your last chance to adjust before the big climbs. Fix blisters NOW.
- Eat early, eat often. Your stomach works best when effort is low. Front-load calories.
🎯 Training Segments
📍 Marina Del Rey Area
4.1 mi • 850 ft gain • Pacific Palisades
strava.com/segments/628841
Classic LA trail with creek crossings and forest canopy. Perfect for early-race simulation.
25 min from Marina Del Rey
17 mi point-to-point • 3,200 ft • Santa Monica Mountains
strava.com/segments/8056658
Rolling terrain through chaparral and oak forest. Good for building volume.
20 min from Marina Del Rey
📍 Kanab Area
3 mi • 800 ft gain • Kanab
strava.com/segments/16534219
Right in town! Great for morning shakeout runs with views of the Vermilion Cliffs.
In Kanab
Major Climbing
Altitude 8,000ft+
Exposed Ridges
Weather Risk
THE CRUX. You'll climb from the valley floor to exposed alpine ridges above 8,000ft. Expect 10,000+ feet of climbing in this section alone. The Patagonian wind is legendary — it can stop you in your tracks. Snow patches likely. This is where the race is won or lost.
Aid Stations: Colorado AS (Mi ~30, drop bags/crew) → High Point AS (Mi ~42) → Descent Start (Mi ~50)
💡 Strategy & Advice
- Power hike EVERYTHING. Don't try to run the climbs. Poles are mandatory gear for a reason.
- Layer aggressively. You'll sweat on climbs, freeze on ridges. Have wind shell accessible.
- Use the Colorado AS well. This is your crew access point — take time here, change socks, eat real food.
- Watch for signs of altitude. Even 8,000ft affects some people. Slow down if you feel headache/nausea.
🎯 Training Segments
📍 Marina Del Rey Area
14.5 mi RT • 4,500 ft gain • Sierra Madre
strava.com/segments/626989
The ultimate LA vert workout. Sustained climbing to 5,700ft. Do this monthly.
45 min from Marina Del Rey
5.4 mi RT • 1,400 ft gain • Altadena
strava.com/segments/1287662
Steep power hike practice. Chain with Inspiration Point for more.
40 min from Marina Del Rey
11 mi RT • 3,900 ft gain • 10,064 ft summit
strava.com/segments/1563044
Your altitude simulator! Exposed ridge above 9,000ft mimics Patagonia conditions.
1.5 hrs from Marina Del Rey
📍 Kanab Area
5.4 mi RT • 1,488 ft gain • Zion NP
strava.com/segments/6621093
Steep, exposed, chain-assisted. Builds mental toughness for Patagonian ridges.
40 min from Kanab
6.4 mi RT • 650 ft gain • Zion NP
strava.com/segments/11217389
High mesa running at 6,500ft. Combine with other Zion trails for big days.
45 min from Kanab
Technical Descent
Quad Crusher
Night Running
After the alpine crux, you'll descend thousands of feet back toward the valleys. The descent is technical — loose rock, roots, and tired legs are a recipe for falls. For most runners, night arrives during this section. Your quads will scream. Poles help immensely on the steeper pitches.
Aid Stations: Wright Meadow (Mi ~55) → Forest AS (Mi ~65) → Valley Floor (Mi ~75)
💡 Strategy & Advice
- Protect your quads. Short, quick steps on descents. Don't overstride.
- Headlamp ready. Have your night gear accessible BEFORE you need it.
- Eat on the downs. Easier on your stomach than climbing. Keep calories coming.
- Consider a brief nap. If you're struggling, 10-15 min at an aid station can reset everything.
🎯 Training Segments
📍 Marina Del Rey Area
5+ mi • 2,500 ft drop • Altadena
strava.com/segments/752948
Rugged fire road descent. Do after climbing Echo Mountain for back-to-back stress.
40 min from Marina Del Rey
4 mi • 1,200 ft drop • Topanga
strava.com/segments/15227843
Technical singletrack descent with exposure. Night run this for added challenge.
30 min from Marina Del Rey
📍 Kanab Area
14 mi point-to-point • 3,600 ft drop • Zion NP
strava.com/segments/8459291
The ultimate quad-destroyer. Start at Lava Point and descend to Grotto. Brutal.
1 hr from Kanab
Variable distance • Slot canyon • Vermilion Cliffs
Vermilion Cliffs - search local
Technical terrain, route-finding practice. Build navigation skills for night running.
30 min from Kanab
Rolling Terrain
Second Night
Mental Game
The final 25 miles back to San Martín de los Andes. For most, this includes a second night on the course. The terrain is gentler but accumulated fatigue makes everything hard. Sleep deprivation hallucinations are common. Pacers are allowed from Mile ~75 — use one if you can. The finish line at the lakefront is magical.
Aid Stations: Valley Return (Mi ~75, pacer pickup) → Lake AS (Mi ~88) → Finish in San Martín
💡 Strategy & Advice
- Get a pacer. After 30+ hours of solo running, a familiar voice makes all the difference.
- Caffeine strategically. Save your caffeine for these final miles when you really need it.
- Break it down. Don't think about 25 miles. Think about making it to the next aid station.
- Embrace the finish. You've crossed hemispheres to be here. Soak in every step of the final approach.
🎯 Training Segments
📍 Marina Del Rey Area
12 mi • 2,500 ft gain • Los Angeles
strava.com/segments/1305813
Runnable terrain with gentle climbs. Perfect for late-race pace practice.
25 min from Marina Del Rey
22 mi point-to-point • Rolling • LA Coast to Canoga Park
Ballona Creek to Canoga Park
Long, runnable path. Use for tired-leg running and mental fortitude training.
Starts in Marina Del Rey
📍 Kanab Area
5 mi • 200 ft gain • Zion NP
strava.com/segments/19082883
Easy, beautiful terrain. Perfect for day 2 of back-to-backs when legs are shot.
40 min from Kanab
Variable • Sand running • Near Kanab
Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park
Unorthodox but effective. Sand builds strength and mimics tired-leg shuffle.
20 min from Kanab
🗓️ Monthly Simulation Weekend
Saturday (Marina Del Rey): Mt Wilson full climb + descent (14 mi, 4,500 ft)
Or Zion: Angels Landing + Observation Point combo
Sunday: Backbone Trail section (15-20 mi on tired legs)
Or Kanab: West Rim Trail descent
Weekend total: 30-35 mi, 6,000-8,000 ft vert. Do one night run per month.
📋 Race Day Essentials
Mandatory Gear — Poles required. Emergency blanket, whistle, waterproof jacket, headlamp with spare batteries, minimum 1L water capacity. Full list in runner's guide.
Crew Access — External support allowed at 3 specific aid stations. Crew must be registered at check-in. Max 5kg drop bag at Colorado AS.
Pacing — Pacers allowed from Mile ~75 to finish. Brief them to be relentlessly positive.
Cold Gear — Pack more than you think. Temperatures can drop to 25°F at altitude. Wind makes it feel colder.
Language — Race briefings in Spanish with English translation. Aid station volunteers speak varying English. Learn "agua" (water), "comida" (food), "dolor" (pain).
🏋️ Weekly Training Targets
- Volume: Build to 60-80 miles per week at peak
- Vertical: 10,000-15,000 ft elevation gain per week
- Back-to-backs: Every 2-3 weeks, with big vert on Day 1
- Night runs: Monthly, build to 4+ hours
- Long runs: Build to 6-8 hour efforts, not mileage focused
- Altitude: Get to 8,000ft+ whenever possible (Mt Baldy, Zion high country)