VTM 70km Ultra Trail
Distance: 67.2km | Elevation gain 2800m
Start time: 05:00, Saturday, 16-01-2027
Start location: Muong Thanh Moc Chau Hotel – Google maps
CUT-OFF: 10:00 at CP2 – 13:30 at CP4 – 16:00 at CP5 – 19:00 at CP6 – 21:30 at CP7 – 23:30 at FINISH
Finish location: The heart-shaped tea hill (Đồi chè Trái tim) – Google maps
Age restriction: Entrants to 70km must be at least 18 years old on race day.
Qualification: To run VTM 70km, you must have previously completed at least one chip timed 40km+ mountain race 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.
Course description
With a 96% finisher rate, this richly diverse ultra has everything that Moc Chau has to offer. Join our 70km and you will experience the most remote terrain of VTM. The beauty of the orchards, jungle, and wild nature, combined with the warm welcome of ethnic villages, makes this one of the most rewarding ultras you will ever complete.
The course begins with some fast kilometers through Moc Chau town, before your first climbing challenge up into the beautiful Mu Nau orchards. At the top, a lookout point reveals singletrack trail leading into remote, 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 lead to the remote Checkpoint 1.
Leaving the checkpoint, a short climb brings you to a long runnable trail to the valley head. From here, a twisting singletrack links a series of picturesque valleys before delving into a short, technical jungle section. You will then emerge into the old Hmong village of Hang Tau, where the trail crosses a grass field, ringed with picture perfect wooden houses. Here, local kids play, while pigs and horses roam.
After Checkpoint 2 comes another highlight: the stunning Ta Phenh valley, with more fast, flat running. You will pass by quaint wooden houses, cross a series of bridges, then run through an amazing flower meadow. More singletrack then weaves among rocky outcrops and a hidden tea field, before a short, forested climb and descent bring you to Checkpoint 3.
From Checkpoint 3 to 5, you enter a wild landscape of remote hills. This section is for the 70km runners only. The climbing in these sections is largely rewarded by smile-inducing downhill sections: pure trail running heaven.
Next, comes the village of Ban Doi and Checkpoint 5. This has become famous for the many people from its Hmong community who come out to cheer runners into the checkpoint. Expect excited kids waving Vietnam flags and plenty of good vibes.
After this checkpoint, the course character changes again. An initial flat section through tea fields leads to some significant climbing 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. A ribbon of singletrack trail weaves through this landscape, bringing you to Pa Khen Village and Checkpoint 6.
From Checkpoint 6 to 7, an equal balance of climbing and descent takes you through small villages and plum, nectarine and orange orchards.
Shortly after Checkpoint 7 the course dives downhill before the final climb. It is short, but it is steep, and because it comes so close to the end, you need to conserve some energy to tackle it. The good news is, once you’ve completed it, all that remains is great trail through some of the area’s most beautiful tea plantations, leading you to the magnificent VTM finish line.
At the finish, you can enjoy our big buffet, fire, music and beautiful views, all 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.
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.
VTM 70km is a 3-point qualifying race for ITRA, an ITRA National League race, an Asia Trail Master Championship Points AND Grandmaster Quest race, and a 100K UTMB Index race.