PATAGONIA RUN 2026 PREVIEW: SOUTH AMERICA'S BIGGEST TRAIL FESTIVAL RETURNS TO LANIN NATIONAL PARK
The largest trail running festival in South America returns to San Martin de los Andes, Argentina, from April 8 through 12. Patagonia Run offers seven distances, from a 10K to 100 miles, all routed through Lanin National Park at the base of the Andes. The event has been voted Best Trail Run in South America for five consecutive years, and the 2026 edition is expected to draw its biggest international field yet.
The 100 Miles
The headline race covers 160 kilometers with over 7,000 meters of elevation gain through volcanic terrain, lenga forests, and Patagonian steppe. Maxi Vazquez won the 2025 edition in 21:58:07, pulling clear in the second half on trails he knows better than almost anyone. Maria Eugenia Gabrielli took the women's title in 26:10:07, finishing more than four hours ahead of runner-up Adriana Vargas.
Both champions have signaled their intention to return in 2026. The question is whether international entries, drawn by the race's UTMB and Western States qualifying status, can challenge the depth of Argentine and South American talent that has traditionally dominated the podium.
The 110K
The 110K has emerged as the most competitive distance in the festival. The course packs over 6,000 meters of climbing into a route that traces ridgelines above Lago Lacar before descending through dense forest to the finish in town. In 2025, Uruguayan Alberto Gonzalez Acuna won in 13:36:46, with Argentines Santiago Serra and Mariano Lencinas completing the podium together after running side by side for most of the race. Mariana Fernandez won the women's 110K.
The 110K field tends to attract international runners who are using Patagonia Run as a stepping stone. It carries ITRA points and serves as a qualifier for UTMB and other major European ultras, making it a destination race for southern hemisphere runners building their racing resumes.
The Course and Conditions
April in northern Patagonia sits at the tail end of autumn. Temperatures at altitude can swing from 15 degrees Celsius during the day to near freezing overnight, and the 100-mile runners will experience both. Rain is possible. Wind is likely. The trails through Lanin National Park are technical in places but not extreme, with soft volcanic soil that turns to mud quickly in wet conditions.
The race has a history rooted in the landscape itself, threading through terrain that combines the scale of Alpine ultras with the remoteness of Patagonian backcountry. Aid stations are spaced to reflect the distances involved, and mandatory gear lists are enforced.
What to Watch
The 42K marathon distance has grown into a standalone attraction, pulling road runners onto trails for the first time. The 21K and 10K races fill out the festival's final day and bring thousands of recreational runners into the mix. The overall atmosphere is more festival than race, with an expo, film screenings, and athlete panels running throughout the week.
For the elite field, the 100 miles and 110K start before dawn on April 9 and 10 respectively. Live GPS tracking is available for all distances.
Race Details
Dates: April 8-12, 2026. Location: San Martin de los Andes, Neuquen, Argentina. Distances: 100 Mi, 110K, 70K, 42K, 21K, 10K. Coverage: Live tracking via patagoniarun.com; results updated by stage and distance throughout the week.