Mu Cang Chai, 4:00 PM, 2 October 2026
After a day bathed in the golden sunlight of the harvest season, the start area for the 100km race at Mu Cang Chai Ultra Trail 2026 came alive as hundreds of runners gathered to prepare for an overnight adventure across the rugged mountains of Northwest Vietnam.
According to the race information, the 100km category started at 4:00 PM, covering approximately 100.35 kilometres, with nearly 4,900 metres of elevation gain and a cut-off time of 28 hours.
From early afternoon, runners had already begun arriving at the race village to complete their final preparations. Some tightened their shoelaces, while others checked their soft flasks, rain jackets, and mandatory headlamps for the long night ahead. Unlike the calm and subdued atmosphere surrounding the 160km start earlier in the morning, the 100km start zone carried a far more vibrant energy as spectators, tourists, and local residents lined both sides of the barriers to cheer on the athletes.
As the afternoon sun gradually softened over the golden terraced rice fields, music echoed through the valley and runners were introduced one by one over the loudspeakers. Many experienced ultrarunners appeared focused and composed, while those taking on their first 100km ultra could hardly hide their excitement and nervous anticipation for the journey stretching from this afternoon into the following day.
At exactly 4:00 PM, the starting horn sounded.
The entire field surged forward to the roar of the crowd. Their first strides carried them away from the bustling race centre and towards remote mountain villages, dense forests, and the iconic ridgelines that define Mu Cang Chai. Ahead lay more than one hundred kilometres of challenge, where runners would have to adapt continuously to changing terrain, shifting weather conditions, and the physical demands of running through the night.
This year's event attracted approximately 3,600 domestic and international participants, turning Mu Cang Chai into one of the major highlights of the regional trail running calendar. Applause, cowbells, and colourful flags created a memorable scene where sporting passion merged seamlessly with the breathtaking beauty of Northwest Vietnam's golden harvest season.
At 4:00 PM in Mu Cang Chai, this was more than the start of a 100km ultramarathon. It was the moment runners officially embarked on an adventure through sunset, darkness, and dawn, pushing the limits of human endurance on one of Vietnam's most spectacular trail-running courses.
