Inaugural Inca Run, Bolivia, 160 km in September 2010

Jacqueline Windh / 12.11.2009

"I know we've got the tiger by the tail with this one," says Race Director Tim Holmstrom. Holmstrom has a wealth of experience in race organization - as the founder and director of five successful editions of Costa Rica's 6-day, 230 km expedition run <b>The Coastal Challenge. </b> But he says that organizing a similar format event in Bolivia, at altitudes ranging from about 2300 m to over 5000 m, is intimidating.

To that end, he has already been working on <b>Bolivia's Inca Run</b>, which will take place next September 8 to 15, for over a year. "It is going to be a completely epic event," he notes, "and I want to make sure, right up front, that no one suffers from lack of preparation."

Participants will be required to arrive several days in advance in order to acclimatize to the elevation. The race will start with an 8 km prologue at one of the world's cradles of ancient culture, Lake Titicaca which, at 3800 m elevation, sits on the border of Bolivia and Peru.

The following day, the actual 4-day 160 km race starts. Holmstrom has devised a format that will suit anyone, ranging from active adventurers through to elite runners.

Elite runners can choose to compete <b>non-stop</b> in the 160 km race, carrying some essential safety gear with them and allowed one drop-box along the way.

Or, they can compete in a 4-day <b>staged format</b>, similar to the supported staged format of Holmstrom's races in Costa Rica, arriving to a mountain camp each night. Individual stages range from 28 km to 55 km in length.

Holmstrom notes that this is as much an expedition as a race, with the staged format being appropriate for runners as well as trekkers and expeditioners who have a spirit of adventure.

And I'll tell you all right now,<b> I am not going to miss this one! </b> The challenging logistics mean that registration will be limited to only 80 participants - so if following the routes of the ancient Inca "Chasqui" runners calls to you as much as it calls to me, get your name in soon. I've run Holmstrom's races in Costa Rica, and I can vouch for the professionalism of the organization - and I cannot wait for this race setting!

A hint about altitude: I have not run at these altitudes before, but I have spent a lot of time hiking in Chile, Argentina and Peru at 3000 to 5000 m - and I know that the longer time you have to acclimatize, the easier it gets. Bolivia is probably one of the cheapest places in the world to hang out in, and loaded with interesting culture - I will plan on getting there a week or two early and make this a good excuse to do some travelling up there prior to the race.

I'll see some of you there - and those of you who don't make it this year will be able to follow my daily race reports online here at SleepMonsters.

For info: <a href="#" onClick="javascript:newsitewindow('http://www.incarun.com')" class="main">www.incarun.com</a>