Length: 200 km
Location: Mustang, Nepal
The Mustang Trail race is a multistage trail running challenge through the wild, spiritually rich landscapes of Upper Mustang in Nepal. It is race of eight stages of around 15 to 30km totaling just under 200 km at altitudes between 2,900-4,300m (9,500-14,100ft) with 8200m (27,000ft) of elevation change. Don’t underestimate these distances at these altitudes.
“The Mustang Trail Race has left an indelible mark on me. Everything good about trail running: cultural exploration, adventure, challenging oneself, and the camaraderie that comes from multi-day races, was present in huge quantities.” – Matt Moroz, UK
For centuries this has been the safest trading route between Nepal and Tibet. The well worn trails make the yaks smile, and are thus perfect for trail runners too. Trails undulate over successions of dry hills between oasis-like villages. Mustang, with its fairytale landscape, is one of the few places in the world to retain an air of mystery. Only opened to tourism in 1992, it is an enclave of pure Tibetan Buddhist culture whose conserved monasteries, and caves alike, house priceless historical treasures.