42km Trail Marathon

IMPORTANT: Read the RACE RULES HERE

VTM_42k
VTM 2024_42K (1)_profile maps

Distance: 40.5km | Elevation gain 1,900m

Start time: 07:00, Saturday, 01.2025

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: 16:00 at CP5 – 19:00 at CP6 – 23:59:59 at FINISH LINE

Finish location: The heart-shaped tea hill (Đồi chè Trái tim) – Google maps

Age restriction: Entrants to 42km must be at least 18 years old on race day.

Qualification: It is recommended you have completed at least 1 trail race over 20km with significant elevation.

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. 

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.

42km VTM blossom
42km VTM hang tau

You then cut across 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 into thick jungle before emerging at an incredible lookout point where your upcoming trail is laid out before you.

42km CP4 crowds
42km Jungle CP6-finish jungle

You then cut across 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 into thick jungle 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 42k 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 post-race food and good company of your fellow runners!

42km finishline

Mandatory Gear

VTM 42km is a 2-point qualifying race for ITRA, an ITRA National League race, and a 50K UTMB Index race.