ERENO by UTMB 2026: sprain, discovery and a lesson in humility in Puerto Vallarta

The ERENO 20K is the short course of the Puerto Vallarta by UTMB®, a 20 km trail race with 1,050 m 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 is 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

Kilometres 0 to 7: the race I had imagined

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

Then at kilometre 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 descent somehow.

The 600 m wall: re-engagement

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

Paradoxically, this is where I find my motivation again. Climbing on tiptoe hurts less, so I keep going. New goal: to finish. At the next aid station: ankle massaged and strapped, two Advil, three peanuts, and I am 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 faded and became bearable. At the finish line, it was no longer about ranking, only the pride of having made it to the end.

Three lessons from a first UTMB trail race

• Humility — technical terrain does not forgive over-enthusiasm. Holding back on the first descents is not optional, it is a rule.
• Patience — a race is rarely decided where you expect it to be. Accepting the need to revise your goal mid-race is a skill in itself.
• 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 lesson. First UTMB trail race. Certainly not the last.

ERENO by UTMB Puerto Vallarta: practical information

Item	Detail
Distance	20 km
Elevation gain	1,050 m
Start location	Canopy River Park, Puerto Vallarta (Jalisco, Mexico)
Finish	Malecón de Puerto Vallarta
Start time	6:30 a.m., Saturday
UTMB Index	Yes — 1 Running Stone
Required level	Intermediate to advanced runner, comfortable on technical descents
2027 edition	First week of March (event date changed)
Official website	puerto-vallarta.utmb.world