42km Trail Marathon
IMPORTANT: Read the RACE RULES HERE
Distance: 41.2km | Elevation gain 2150m
Start time: 07:00, Saturday, 31/01/2026
Wave starts will be used. If you want to run fast, make sure you are in wave 1.
Start location: Muong Thanh Holiday Moc Chau Hotel – Google maps
CUT-OFF: 13:00 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 42km must be at least 18 years old on race day.
Qualification: To run VTM 42km, 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 (Topas result link, UTMB Index, ITRA Index, or similar). 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.
Failure to provide evidence of a qualifying past performance will result in refusal of entry and the refund terms stand.
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/42km/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
This race will take you through a huge variety of Moc Chau landscapes and trails. You will begin with the blossom filled orchards of Mu Nau. Next comes a very remote trail section that will bring you a great sense of adventure. You will pass through a rock garden and then emerge in the timeless Hmong village of Hang Tau.
You then run through beautiful landscapes to the checkpoint at Ban Doi. This has been made famous among mountain runners for the great welcome from the local villagers who come out in force to cheer runners! From here, it is onto a yet more remote trail, climbing through tea fields and stunning hills before emerging at an incredible lookout point where your upcoming trail is laid out before you.
After descending through more orchards you will turn onto a section that is unique to the 42km runners. This trail cuts through beautiful jungle and orchards on the way to the famous finish in the Heart Shaped Tea Hill. Here you can enjoy the good delicious post-race food and good company of your fellow runners!
VTM 42km is a 2-point qualifying race for ITRA, an ITRA National League race, and a 50K UTMB Index race.