VTM 50km Trail Run
IMPORTANT: Read the RACE RULES HERE
Distance: 50.2km | Elevation gain 2000m
Start time: 07:00, Saturday, 16-01-2027
Wave starts will be used. If you want to run fast, make sure you are in wave 1.
Start location: Muong Thanh Moc Chau Hotel – Google maps
CUT-OFF: 12:00 at CP2 – 16:00 at CP5 – 19:00 at CP6 – 21:00 at FINISH
Finish location: The heart-shaped tea hill (Đồi chè Trái tim) – Google maps
Age restriction: Entrants to VTM 50km must be at least 18 years old on race day.
Qualification: To run VTM 50km, you must have previously completed at least one chip timed trail race of 20km+ with significant elevation. Loop runs / virtual races do not qualify.
On registration, please provide a URL link to your qualifying result. If you plan to complete a qualifying race between now and race day, you must send us your result by 30 days prior to the race date in order to be able to race. Refund terms follow standard terms.
AGE GROUP AWARDS
Age categories are:
5km: Under 12;12-17; 18-39; 40+
10km/21km/50km/70km: Under 30; 30-39; 40-49; 50-59; 60-69; 70+
The overall top 3 are excluded from the age group awards.
Top 3 male/female runners can collect their trophies at a special Age Group Trophy Collection booth at the finish area: Doi Che Trai Tim (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
New for 2027, the VTM 50km takes our extremely popular 42km and adds some of the most loved kilometers of our 70km course. The result is an awesome new ultra distance that we can confidently predict will have a very high finish rate.
The course begins with some fast, flat kilometers before your first climbing challenge to the beautiful Mu Nau orchards. At the top, a beautiful lookout reveals your coming singletrack into the rugged countryside.
Two short technical sections will then test your skills before a fast, flat run through a beautiful, broad valley filled with more orchards.
A short climb and descent then brings you to the remote Checkpoint 1.
Next, a fast runnable double track leads to an awesome section of singletrack linking a series of picturesque valleys.
A short technical jungle section then emerges into the timeless Hmong village of Hang Tau, one of the race highlights.
After Checkpoint 2 comes the timeless Ta Phenh valley – the new section we have added to upgrade our 42k to the 50km distance.
There are two key reasons we chose to add this section for 2027. First, it offers good quality, fast, flat running. Second, it adds many new highlights: pretty villages; a rocky landscape unlike any other part of the course; and an amazing flower meadow that is perfect for race photos.
Next up, the run from Checkpoint 2B to Checkpoint 5 is exclusive to our 50km runners. You’ll pass through orchards, tea fields and rice paddies, before dropping down the biggest descent of your race. This is a fun downhill trail with expansive views across the valley below. At the bottom, more great running brings you to the village of Ban Doi and Checkpoint 5.
Ban Doi has become famous for the many school kids and people from its Hmong community who come out to cheer runners into the checkpoint.
From here, the course character changes again. An initial flat section through tea fields leads to some significant climbing, deep into remote territory. At the highest point, you will reach a lookout with one of the very best views of the course. Jungled mountains frame a peaceful valley, creating a scene like a painting. The next singletrack trail weaves through this landscape, bringing you to Pa Khen and Checkpoint 6.
After the checkpoint, you will turn right onto another section that is exclusive to our 50km runners. A mix of jungle and orchards leads to the area’s most beautiful tea plantation and the magnificent VTM finish line.
At the finish, you can enjoy our big buffet, fire, music and beautiful views in the great company of your fellow trail runners.
FINISH BAG
Handing in your bag: 01 bag/01 runner at the START LINE
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.
Picking up your bag after the race: at the FINISH
Note: no individual requests for bag transfers can be facilitated. ALL bags are moved together.
VTM 50km is a 2-point qualifying race for ITRA, an ITRA National League race, and a 50K UTMB Index race.