Many people love marathon racing, but for some, the destination also matters. Perhaps the thrill of being in meaningful surroundings gives them an extra boost to face the challenge of completing the race. To be sure, marathons are held in some of the most historically significant locations in the world, such as Angkor Wat, Easter Island, and many others. Here’s one more you can add to the list: the Inca Trail Marathon to Machu Picchu. Read on to learn more about this exciting race opportunity.
About the Inca Trail
The Inca were a native population who lived in the Andes mountains in South America. In the 1300s, they focused on conquering land and people along the Pacific Coast. They established the largest empire of the pre-Industrial Age and made their capital in Cuzco, which is located in modern-day Peru.
During this time, the Inca used a courier system to send and receive messages across their territory. All travel at the time was done on foot, so they built a vast network of trails to use for this purpose. These trails stretched from mountain peaks rising 20,000 feet in the air all the way down to ocean level along the coastline.
About Machu Picchu
One location along the Inca Trail was Machu Picchu. The Machu Picchu is thought to have been either a royal palace or a religious site important to the Inca. After the Spanish conquered the Inca in the 1600s, the site was abandoned and became virtually unknown to outsiders until its location was publicly promoted in 1911 by an American archaeologist working there.
The site was once comprised of more than 150 buildings. These buildings were spread out over five acres in a series of terraced plateaus connected by over 3,000 stone steps. Its construction is widely thought of as representing the masterful masonry techniques used by the Inca.
Today, the ruins at Machu Picchu are among Peru’s most visited attractions, and the site has been recognized worldwide. It is on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and was named as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World in 2007. Should you decide to travel there to participate in the Inca Trail Marathon, you will become one of the hundreds of thousands of tourists to visit each year.
Logistics of the Inca Trail Marathon
The Inca Trail Marathon is sponsored by Erik’s Adventures and takes place in July of each year. Begun in 2012, the marathon will celebrate its 10-year anniversary in July 2022. Although the race covers the standard 26.2 miles of every marathon, participants should be aware that the challenging terrain of the Inca Trail makes this marathon anything but standard.
In addition to the marathon, Erik’s Adventures offers a shorter option, an 18-mile race known as the Incathon. Given the remoteness of the area, all participants camp out at the starting line the night before the races to be ready to begin at 4:00 AM for the marathon and 5:00 AM for the shorter race. Both events end at Machu Picchu for the opportunity to have a photo taken at the finish line with the famous ruins in the background.
It should be noted that the race course is quite steep, and Erik’s Adventures suggests that participants should be prepared for uneven, rocky terrain. Runners should carry with them rain gear, a long-sleeved shirt, and a windbreaker due to the changing weather. A headlamp is also needed for the portions of the race that take place before dawn and after sunset.
The elevation of the route is likely to pose a challenge to many participants, as it reaches a maximum of 13,800 feet. Runners can expect to pass through valleys lined with trees, high pastures, and arid grassless areas near the mountain snow line. They will also pass by waterfalls, stream-fed rock baths, and tropical vegetation. Additionally, participants will go through both a stone tunnel and a cloud forest on the way to the finish line.
Additional Activities
At the conclusion of the event, transportation is provided to nearby Aguas Calientes. There, a celebration dinner is held the night after the race ends after a day of relaxation. Awards are handed out later in Cusco. The company also offers events prior to the race, including historical and cultural tours and white-water rafting. You’ll also want to make sure you give yourself time for rest and recovery after such a strenuous race. An ice bath is one suggestion, as is stretching to maintain your flexibility. In any case, you can be sure you’ve improved your overall wellness by exercising in nature during the race.