VMM 100 Miles

IMPORTANT: Read the RACE RULES HERE.

Distance: 161km | Elevation gain 8,600m

Bib collection: 15:00-17:00 and 18:00-20:00 Thursday 28/11 at Sapa Park (please see full details here). Please note, you must pick up your own bib.

Start time:  4:00, Friday, 29-11-2024

Start location: Sapa Park (next to Sapa Square – Google maps)

Finish location: Topas Ecolodge – Google maps

Outside Assistance: Not permitted at: CP Sapa, CP M6, CP3, CP7.
Permitted at all other checkpoints for 50km – 100 mile runners. In the designated area only. Please note: no flags / banners / advertising of any sort at checkpoints.

CUT-OFF:

Friday

9:00 CP Sapa (16.3km)
15:00 at CP M4 (39.5km)
22:30 at CP M7 (65.3 km)

Saturday

04:00 at CP Topas Ecolodge (85.6km)
12:00 at CP3 (120.8km)
15:00 at CP4 (130.0km)
17:00 at CP5 (137.6km)
20:00 at CP6 (146.7km)
21:30 at CP7 (152.3km)
00:00 at FINISH

100 miles DNF rate at VMM 2022: 39.4%

Mandatory Briefing: 17:00 – 18:00, Thursday

Age restriction: Entrants to 100 miles must be at least 18 years old on race day.

Qualification: To run VMM 100 miles, you must have previously completed at least one chip timed 70km+ ultra trail  with 3,000m+ before signing up. Loop runs / virtual races do not qualify.

On registration, please provide a URL link to your qualifying result (official race results page/Topas race e-certificate link, UTMB Index, ITRA Index, or similar). 

Failure to provide evidence of a qualifying past performance will result in refusal of entry. Refund terms follow standard race terms.

FINISH AND DROP BAGS

You can give us 3 bags:

1 Bag = Finish Bag
1 Bag = CP M5
1 Bag = CP2

Handing in your bags: Leave 3 bags at the START LINE

Please use the designated tag for each bag. Please prepare your own bags. Bags must be sealed/closed.

No valuables should be left in the bags – the organiser cannot be held responsible for any loss.

ATTACH your luggage tag (given at the race pack collection) on your finish bag before bringing it to the start line.

Picking up your bag after the race:

Finish bags will be at the finish line before the first finisher
CP M5 and CP2 bags will be moved back to Sapa Expo area – collect Sunday morning

*If you DNF, then you can also pick up your finish bag in Sapa Park (next to Sapa Square) from 7:00-11:00 on Sunday.

Note: no individual requests for bag transfers can be facilitated. ALL bags are moved together.

AGE GROUP AWARDS

Age categories are: Under 30; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70+

The overall top 3 are excluded from the age group awards.

On race day, you can check your ranking at FINISH RESULTS here.

Top 3 male/female runners can collect their trophies at a special Age Group Trophy Collection booth at the finish area: Topas Ecolodge (Saturday). We cannot ship trophies to those who do not come and collect them during this time slot.

Age group runners receive trophies only.

Course description

Welcome to the hardest run in Vietnam! This is a seriously tough, but also extremely beautiful 100 miles ultra marathon that covers every type of terrain the Sapa area has to offer. 

You need to be an experienced, capable mountain runner to complete this course within the Cut Off Times (COT). Please do refer to the COT and the elevation gain charts before you sign up.

The race begins in the heart of Sapa town.

First you will head northwest of Sapa across the beautiful Suoi Ho valley (home village of Black Hmong people) on a route unique to 100 mile runners. Following a high mountain loop with grand views, you will return to Sapa for your second checkpoint.

The route then continues over Ham Rong Mountain. After CP M2, a new route will bring you along the mountain side with stunning views of the Muong Hoa valley.

You will then climb up a single track route toward Mount Silverstone. This is an alternative to the usual VMM route up to the peak. After Silverstone, the route continues to the next valley of Ban Moi (CP M4), home of the Red Dao people.

After a long trail section, the route then follows some paved road before another long trail section up the mountain to the remote area of Ban Sai and Ta Thang Dam – the lowest point of the course.

The following section is updated and includes Nam Sai and My Son villages, home to the Tay and Xa Pho ethnic groups. The Tay ethnic is one most well organised and wealthy groups of Vietnam, while the Xa Pho ethnic group is one of the smallest of all Vietnam’s many groups by number.

You will then face the climb back up to Topas Ecolodge Checkpoint.

From here, you will run onto the final 70km of the course. After a short flat run to Van Den Su village, you will descend steeply down into the valley where you will find a Water Station.

Across the river you will face a very steep climb then a traverse to the Red Dao ethnic village of Giang Ta Chai. A stunning rice terrace section will then bring you to CP1 in Lao Chai village.

The climb from CP1 – CP2 is updated, extending it higher up the mountainside. You will pass some remote Hmong villages with panoramic views of the valley.

After CP3 at O Quy Ho you head onto what is many runners’ favourite part of our course – Cow Mountain (Núi Bò). After an initial climb through farmland you will emerge onto the ridge line, with single track trail taking you to the peak.

On a clear day at the top, you will have stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Mount Fansipan, Vietnam’s highest summit. For us, this is one of the most jaw dropping vistas of the course and indeed, all of Vietnam.

If you have good legs, the following descent is a sheer joy, especially in the dry; in the wet however, it can be challenging. In the dry, much of it is runnable and the views are incredible. You’ll finish your downhill in Ta Phin village at CP4. From here, the character of the course changes again, with a riverside trail section, then some forest on your way to CP5.

The trail from CP5 (31 Bridge) takes you through Sau Chua village on great quality, but very challenging trail with some seriously steep uphill. On a clear day, the views here will help take the edge off the challenge, we promise!

From CP6 you will enjoy a mainly downhill section to CP7. You’ll run through lots of small villages as well as some bamboo forest sections.

After CP7 comes the infamous Mount Silverstone climb on steep trail. Your reward at the top is another great view.

From here it’s time for the final section to the finish line and the famous welcome at Topas Ecolodge. Here you can relax and enjoy the feeling of triumph together with your fellow mountain runners.

MANDATORY EQUIPMENT 100 MILES

PACERS

The pacer must always run together with their designated 100 mile runner.
For the 100 miles race only, pacers (companion runners) are allowed for the final 60km of your run (from CP1). 
The pacer must have run at least one chip timed 40km+ ultra mountain race with significant elevation to qualify as your pacer.  Loop runs / virtual races do not qualify.
Pacers may NOT CARRY any equipment, food or water for you. They are there for moral support and encouragement, not physical help.
Pacers must wear the special pacer bib that will match your own bib number. 
Pacers must carry the same mandatory kit as defined for VMM 70km runners. 
You may have 2 pacers, but only one can accompany you at any time. Change over of pacers is permitted at checkpoints only.
Pacers are responsible for their own transport to checkpoints. 
There is NO bag drop provision for pacers.
No race kit for pacers: Pacer bib only.
The pacer(s) must be present at race pack collection and sign the indemnity form.

Please send your pacer(s)’ information to info@vietnammountainmarathon.com at least 45 days prior to the race date. No change of pacers is allowed after this date.