Races
Ulju Trail Nine Peaks
South Korea, October. 128 km on 75% trail. +27,628 ft of climbing. 40 hours cutoff.
- Start1,073 ft
- High1,901 ft
- Low1,073 ft
- Finish1,506 ft
- South Korea at mile 0.0
- Ulju Trail Nine Peaks mile 16 at mile 16, cutoff 8 hours
- Ulju Trail Nine Peaks mile 32 at mile 32, cutoff 16 hours
- Ulju Trail Nine Peaks mile 48 at mile 48, cutoff 24 hours
- Ulju Trail Nine Peaks mile 64 at mile 64, cutoff 32 hours
- Finish South Korea at mile 80, cutoff 40 hours
Geometrycourse math
The cruxHumid climbs, ridge exposure, and aid gaps in remote terrain (near mile 52)
Course DNA
The Course
Ulju Trail Nine Peaks runs 128 km through South Korea. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. Humid climbs, ridge exposure, and aid gaps in remote terrain. High point near 1,988 ft. Low near 1,073 ft. October temps run 50°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 40.
The Work
Train for the climbing across 128 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 40 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 52.
Kit
October in South Korea: plan for 50°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 40 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 20. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 40.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 20. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 40. Humid climbs, ridge exposure, and aid gaps in remote terrain near mile 52 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 26 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
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