Races
Vietnam Mountain Marathon
Vietnam, September. 100 km on 75% trail. +18,652 ft of climbing. 27 hours cutoff.
- Start236 ft
- High1,378 ft
- Low236 ft
- Finish1,358 ft
- Vietnam at mile 0.0
- Vietnam Mountain Marathon mile 12 at mile 12, cutoff 5.4 hours
- Vietnam Mountain Marathon mile 25 at mile 25, cutoff 10.8 hours
- Vietnam Mountain Marathon mile 37 at mile 37, cutoff 16.2 hours
- Vietnam Mountain Marathon mile 50 at mile 50, cutoff 21.6 hours
- Finish Vietnam at mile 62, cutoff 27 hours
Geometrycourse math
The cruxHumid climbs, ridge exposure, and aid gaps in remote terrain (near mile 40)
Course DNA
The Course
Vietnam Mountain Marathon runs 100 km through Vietnam. +18,652 ft gain and -17,530 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. Humid climbs, ridge exposure, and aid gaps in remote terrain. High point near 1,391 ft. Low near 236 ft. September temps run 50°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 31.
The Work
Train for 18,652 feet of climbing across 100 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 27 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 40.
Kit
September in Vietnam: plan for 50°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 27 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 16. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 31.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 16. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 31. Humid climbs, ridge exposure, and aid gaps in remote terrain near mile 40 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 21 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
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