10k RUNNERS – BE READY FOR A HARD RUN!
We think this is one of the hardest 10k mass participation courses you can find in the world, so we hope you feel ready! Be sure to know the race profile: the 10k has almost zero flat running, so prepare to do some serious climbing and descending. You should all feel very proud when you get the medal at the finish, particularly if this is your first mountain run.
NOTE: This race does have a Cut Off Time at CP1. If you do not make the cut off, we will route you straight back to town, cutting out the extra loop in the valley.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED KIT
- Minimum of 0.5L liquid carrying capacity (we provide compostable cups at checkpoints)
- Personal food / energy bars / gels etc. for the duration of the run
- Waterproof jacket, with hood, sufficient to keep you dry in case of heavy rain, i.e. not a windproof-only jacket; not cheap, thin poncho
- Second top layer
- Headwear (e.g. hat / cap / buff)
- Whistle
- Mobile phone (with battery for the full event)
OTHER OPTIONAL KIT
- Leggings
- Waterproof trousers
- Gloves
- Sunblock
- Sunglasses
- GPS watch with GPX track loaded
- Poles (very helpful for almost all runners)
- Cash for buying food and drinks along the course
- Anti-chafing cream
- Tape / blister plasters
- Survival / Emergency / Space Blanket
- Basic first aid kit (e.g. bandage, gauze, antiseptic…)
Finish Bag
01 bag/runner. Hand in/Pick up at the START/FINISH.
Please prepare your own bag. Bags must be sealed/closed. Do not include valuables – the organiser cannot be held responsible for any loss. BRING your luggage tag (given at the race pack collection), we will staple it for you.
Checkpoint Table
10,9km | +580 m
Race start: 7:00 AM, Sunday, 24-09-2023
Start location: Sapa Park (next to Sapa Square – Google maps)
Finish location: Sapa Square – Google maps
CUT-OFF: 8:30 at CP1 – 12:00 at FINISH
Age restriction: Minimum age for 10km is 10 years old. Race entrants up to 16 must run along with the guardian. For runners up to 16 years old, parents/guardians must sign the consent form on race pack collection.
Course description
Our 10km course has been updated for 2023. It’s a bit less tough than the 2022 course, but it is still a very big challenge, especially for new mountain runners!
Participate in this year’s biggest public run in Sapa and race against the local Black Hmong, Red Dao and Tay minorities. Maybe you watched your friends and families run the Mountain Marathon on Saturday and now want to show them how to run 10km! Or maybe you just cannot get enough competition and want to combine a Saturday run of 21km, 50km, 70km or 100km with a 10km run.
Look out as the local runners are eager to compete with the international competitors! The route starts from central Sapa Town and then heads down the main street, passes the local minority market and soon you are out of town. Now run 2.5km down the valley on paved road and drop into the famous Hoang Lien National Park and its beautiful scenery with rice fields, rivers and trails beaten by buffaloes. Save some energy for the final challenge… a climb of 500m just before the finish! It is hard, but beautiful! VMM provide 2 checkpoints with water & bananas.
- Read more about the Sapa Travel Packages
- Read more about the Topas Ecolodge Travel Packages
- Run Only Program
