El Origen, 3-day Trail running race in the Argentine Andes

Lace up your running shoes and hit the trail by competing in El Origen 2019, an incredible three-day race in Los Penitentes! This extraordinary event near Mendoza places you in the thick of the Andes and the shadow of Aconcagua to explore the rugged and stunning landscape of Argentina!

The El Origen 2019 Race from the TMX Team is a trail running event unlike any other. In its eighth year, the race has received participants from regional countries like Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Bolivia. Racers have even come from the United States, Portugal, and Italy to take part in this great run!

El Origen takes place in one of the most wild and woolly places in the Andes, right below Aconcagua, which rises 6,962 meters high. Here you can run across mule trails and rolling hills, through valleys and wetlands on gorgeous mountainsides. The aesthetics of this race are second to none, making every breathtaking step totally worth it.

To accommodate all types of runners, there are three lengths to the race. The E100 covers roughly 30 to 40 kilometers per stage, the E60 covers roughly 15 to 25 kilometers per stage, and the E30 about 10 to 12 kilometers per stage. Teams of two are even available to those who wish to complete it with a friend or partner. Even with varying difficulties and lengths, each course will expose the unbelievable beauty of Argentina’s Mendoza region along its border with Chile.

Over three days, you will run across difficult terrain, making it a great race for those who want to push themselves to the next level. Those who want to break into the sport can participate in the E30, while seasoned veterans can test their mettle on the E100. Steep ridges, meandering trails, rough terrain, and epic views epitomize the run, which is quickly becoming a symbol of pride in the South American endurance sport world.

You will arrive a day or two before the race to pick up your race kit at Hotel Ayelen in Los Penitentes, an accommodating lodge and your second home for the better part of a week while you take off into the mountains. Each stage offers a different slice of beauty, after which the hosting Hotel Ayelen will be covering your meals and services to prepare you for the next day of running and competition.

Beginning early in the morning (6:30am) on March 7, you will start the first leg of your journey, which includes a transfer to and from the course. Day one takes you on a tour of Aconcagua Park and its natural beauty. Your second day takes you up Las Cuevas to Christ the Redeemer and back. Finally, on your last day, you will take in the indomitable and majestic hills of Cerro Penitentes. Finishing early in the afternoon on March 9, you will enjoy lunch, attend an award ceremony – and who knows, maybe win an award! The even ends with a closing party at the hotel before sending you back into the real world.

With views of impressive and iconic Andes peaks, complete with glaciers and snow-capped summits, these arduous days are sure to provide you with challenging fun and a rare camaraderie with your running mates and fellow competitors. The entire atmosphere of the race is exhilarating and evocative, so good vibes reverberate through every corner of your trip.

You should be in good shape and prepared for multiple days of serious running. Even E30 participants will be running a significant distance in a relatively short amount of time. Proper preparation includes healthy eating and a training program to make the race enjoyable and worthwhile.

Ready for the challenge? REGISTER NOW for this incredible three-day race and run the El Origen 2019 from March 7 to March 9 in the Andes of Argentina!