The ERENO 20K is the short course of the Puerto Vallarta by UTMB®, a 20km trail race with 1,050m of elevation gain held annually in Mexico as part of the UTMB World Series. I ran my first UTMB trail race there in April 2026. Here's what I learned—and what you need to know before you sign up.

What is ERENO by UTMB?

The ERENO 20K is one of the five distances offered by Puerto Vallarta by UTMB®, the only Latin American stop on the UTMB World Series circuit. The race covers 20 km with 1,050 m of elevation gain, between the Sierra Madre Occidental and the Mexican Pacific coast, finishing on the Malecón in Puerto Vallarta. Each finisher receives 1 Running Stone, the entry currency for the UTMB World Finals lottery in Chamonix.

In 2026, the event brought together more than 1,800 runners from 45 countries over the weekend of April 16-18.

My story: when trail running forces you to change your goal

Kilometers 0 to 7: The Race I'd Imagined

The race started exactly as I'd envisioned. Good legs. Good sensations. The machine—that good old diesel engine—was ramping up.

Then at kilometer 7, on the first technical descent, the adrenaline pushed me to go for it and keep up with the 37K runners who had just joined us on the trail. I gave it too much, at a point where I should have been content to hold back…

Crack. Sprained ankle.

The Moment Everything Changed

From that moment on, everything changed. It was no longer a race about performance. It had become a race of character. Electric shocks with every step. Dozens of runners passed me. Frustration. Anger at myself.
After a few minutes where all my thoughts were swirling in my head, I managed to get going again, limping, and finish that damn descent somehow.

The 600m Elevation Gain: Re-engagement

This is when the biggest challenge of the race arrives: a steep 600m elevation gain.

Paradoxically, this is where I find my motivation again. Climbing on tiptoe is less painful, so I keep going. New goal: to finish.
At the next aid station: ankle massaged and strapped, two Advil, three peanuts, and I'm off again. The pastis will have to wait.

The Finish Line: Pride Before the Clock
There was still a whole mountain to descend, but the pain gradually fades and becomes bearable. At the finish line, it's no longer about ranking, only the pride of having made it to the end.

3 lessons of a first UTMB trail race

1. Humility — The technical terrain doesn't forgive over-enthusiasm. Holding back on the first descents isn't optional, it's essential.
2. Patience — A race is rarely won where you expect it to be. Accepting the need to revise your objective mid-race is a skill in itself.
3. Resilience — Finishing injured teaches you more than arriving fresh. Trail running rewards those who stay on their feet, not those who start fast.

First trail running lesson. First UTMB trail race. Certainly not the last.

Puerto Vallarta Trail by UTMB:

Discover all the details of your running trip to Puerto Vallarta: program, accommodation, support, etc...

ERENO by UTMB Puerto Vallarta : practical information

Race	Details
Distance	20 km
Elevation Gain	1 050 m
Start Location	Canopy River Park, Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco, Mexique)
Finish	Malecón de Puerto Vallarta
Start Time	6:30 AM (Saturday)
UTMB Index	Yes — 1 Running Stone
Required Skill Level	Intermediate to advanced runner, comfortable on technical descents
2027 Edition	First week of March (event date changed)
Official Website	puerto-vallarta.utmb.world

Want to run abroad?

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Mountain run near Cali with a local coach, ahead of a race abroad.

Running a race abroad isn't just about adding another medal to the wall. It's about living a country differently, meeting a local crew, and discovering a destination through the effort.

This past January and February, Stéphane — co-founder of The Run Away — flew to Colombia with one specific goal: to run the Cartagena Half-Marathon. An intense athletic adventure, between mountains, tropical humidity and unforgettable encounters.

Finding a bib for a race abroad

Some trips leave a deeper mark than others.

Not because of the monuments you visit, but because of the people you meet along the way, and the start lines that change you.

In my carry-on, I'd brought back a small miracle. Registration for the Cartagena Half-Marathon was already closed, but I'd taken a shot in the dark and written directly to the organisers.

And against all odds, I landed an unexpected bib.

For me, it was a sign.

I had to find a way to prepare for this race.

But how do you stack the miles, alone, in a city you don't really know yet?
That's often the first hurdle when you want to run a race abroad: getting a bib for a sought-after event.

Training abroad: the power of the local crew

At the beginning of my stay, I went for a exploratory run around the large stadium in Cali, a vibrant city nestled between two majestic mountain ranges.

Deep down, I secretly hoped to run into a group of local runners.

I saw them, approached them, and got the contact information for their leader, a man named Hugo Gomez.

Hugo welcomed me into his training group with a kindness that still gives me goosebumps. Overnight, my daily routine changed.

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I was on the track by 5:30 a.m. On Saturdays, we set off on fantastic long runs on the trails of the surrounding mountains.

I was no longer a tourist; I was immersed in my passion.

Today, Hugo (who, by the way, has climbed the legendary Cerro de las Tres Cruces 22 times in a single push—the equivalent of Everest!) has become a true friend and my remote coach. He'll even be joining me for several races on my calendar for this exciting year of 2026.

Running abroad is also about this: discovering a different running culture and forging lasting bonds.

Running a half-marathon in a tropical climate: the Cartagena challenge

It was thanks to this Colombian training that I flew to the Caribbean coast to honor that famous race number.

And I can tell you today, after running seven half-marathons in different countries: Cartagena was the most difficult race, but also the most beautiful and extraordinary of my life.

To avoid the worst of the heat, the race starts very early in the morning.

Imagine the atmosphere: you're in the heart of Cartagena's iconic port, an unusual location for a race start. You weave your way through enormous shipping containers under a still-dark sky.

Suddenly, a Colombian navy ship projects huge arches of water to celebrate the runners. Fireworks explode, music blares.

The excitement is palpable.

Then, we're off.

The course is a visual feast. We leave the industrial port behind and plunge into the old fortified city.

For me, having traveled extensively in Europe, the experience was powerful: the Spanish colonial heritage, the flower-filled balconies, and the history-laden alleyways offered a striking contrast to the oppressive tropical humidity.

Then we drove along the Caribbean Sea, where the heat and humidity felt like they were testing every fiber of your being.

It was brutal, but it was sublime.

Cartagena Half Marathon:

Discover all the details of your running trip to Cartagena: program, accommodation, support, and guaranteed race bib.

An experience that goes beyond just racing

What makes this race legendary is also its support system.

Along the course, we crossed a naval base and an army base. Throughout these sections, Colombian soldiers were lined up to salute and encourage us.

And the finish line?

Pure madness.

As I crossed the line, near the old town, army fighter jets were slicing through the sky overhead.

A uniformed soldier placed the medal around my neck.

The discomfort of the humidity instantly vanished, replaced by the warmth of the post-race village, where Colombian hospitality and celebration were in full swing.

The true power of the race number

If I'm sharing this adventure with you today on The Run Away blog, it's because it perfectly embodies our vision.

The Cartagena Half Marathon is a hidden gem, one that doesn't immediately spring to mind. Yet, the enthusiasm is so great that for the 10,000 runners expected, race bibs sell out incredibly fast.

At The Run Away, we organize the logistics, the beautiful hotels, the flights… But our real quest is to get that coveted race bib. This small, numbered piece of paper is much more than just the right to run. It's the key we'll find for you.

Our goal is simple: to allow you to experience a race abroad without worrying about the logistics. This race bib is the promise of taking you somewhere else.

Of making you cry tears of joy as a fighter jet flies overhead in Colombia.

To help you meet lifelong friends on a running track in Cali.

And to transform a simple trip into an adventure that will stay with you forever.

Want to run abroad?

If the idea of running a half-marathon or marathon abroad speaks to you, discover our upcoming running getaways.
We pick legendary races, handle the logistics — and most importantly, we secure your bib.
Where can we take you?

Want to run abroad?
Discover all our upcoming running getaways and pick the race that's right for you.