The Shangri-La Marathon and Ultramarathon course goes over and around a majestic mountain on a trail path. Ultramarathon runners get an extended course going up to the glacier and spiritual waterfall at the base of the Kawagarbo mountain.

Due to the dramatic elevation climbs and descents the course takes runners through a handful of micro climates. Runners will experience lush mountain forest, heavy moss forest, glaciers, rock cliffs, waterfalls, roaring rivers, steep canyons, high desert, and farm lands. A diverse course with distinctly unique sections that provide a new experience for runners.

Below you’ll find a great course fly through video, course maps, and elevation profiles.

Get an overview of the course map and terrain in this course fly through video. Showing the 2015 55k course.

Video available on Vimeo, YouTube, and YouKu.

The course route on the map contains four colors GREEN, BLUE, YELLOW and RED.

24K runners will run the GREEN section and U-TURN at the Lower Yubeng station and run back to the finish.

45K runners will run the GREEN then continue south east past Lower Yubeng on the YELLOW and then BLUE in Xidang to complete the loop.

55K and 100K Ultra runners will run the GREEN then BLUE to the glacier waterfall before coming back to continue on the YELLOW and BLUE loop.

100K Ultra runners will branch off at the end of the YELLOW section to complete the RED course loop before coming back to the final BLUE section into the finish line.

• 24K = GREEN with U-TURN
• 44K = GREEN + YELLOW +BLUE
• 55K = GREEN + BLUE + YELLOW + BLUE
• 100K = GREEN + BLUE + YELLOW + RED +BLUE

As this race takes place in the Himalayan mountains there is no shortage of serious elevation changes. Right from the race start at 2,695m (8,844ft) runners will have a challenging climb to 3,767m (12,359ft) in approximately the first 5k, that is over 1,000m (3,300ft)! Followed by a long downhill section with spectacular sights.

Below are elevation profiles for each distance including combined climb and descent totals. The colors correlate to the sections on the course maps.

The SHANGRI-LA Marathon & Ultra 100K and 55K courses qualify for International Trail Running Association points that can be used towards Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc qualification.

100K COURSE POINTS:

55K COURSE POINTS:

Please note that race information here represents what is planned for Shangri-La Marathon and Ultramarathon. Locations, course variations, adjustments, and changes may apply depending on conditions, availability, and improvements. We strive to improve the event to make the best experience for the runners.