THE TRACK   Bolivia

17 – 26 September 2023

THE TRACK Bolivia

17 – 26 September 2023

A fascinating route through Sud Lípez

Country

Bolivia

Distance

520 km

Duration

10 days
Destination

The magic of South Lípez

The route of THE TRACK Bolivia is one of the most fascinating routes there is!

In the south of Bolivia, on the Chilean border, the start of the race will be at the foot of the Licancabur volcano and on the edge of the Laguna Verde at 4300 meters above sea level. We will then cross Sud Lípez, from south to north, to reach the Salar de Uyuni. Our stages will allow us to discover the Desert of Dalí, the path of the lagoons with the Laguna Colorada and the Ollagüe Volcano.

In this region, this mixture of salt deserts, ocher and black mountains is magnified by sunlight and lagoons of all colors. Around these islets of life, surrounded by volcanoes, participants will discover pink flamingos wading through the icy water and also small herds of vicuñas which, along with the llama and the alpaca, inhabit the region.

The arrival of the last stage will be on the Isla del Pescado in the heart of the Salar de Uyuni.

THE TRACK Bolivia
A fascinating route through Sud Lípez
520 km at over 4000 meters of altitude

Challenge

520 km at over 4000 meters of altitude

THE TRACK Bolivia is a foot race of 520 km in 9 stages (10 days of competition) and in food self-sufficiency. The event takes place at an altitude between 3600 and 5000 meters above sea level. Each competitor must carry a backpack containing the compulsory equipment, food and personal equipment.

The participants must follow the route as marked by the organizers and indications of the map given before the race. There are check points located at regular intervals. Every night a bivouac is organized by our team. A technical support and a medical team are present during the whole event.

Competitors who cannot respect the limit time (10 hours per stage) can stay in the race. They will be classified according to the kilometers they ran during the event.

Program

Save the dates

Friday 15 September 2023

  • 2 pm: Meeting at the hotel of the organization
  • 3 pm: Administrative, technical and medical checks
  • 7 pm: Dinner & overnight at the hotel

Saturday 16 September 2023

  • 7.30 am: Breakfast at the hotel
  • 9 am: Transfer from Uyuni to Polques (7 hours)
  • 4 pm: CheckIn to the lodge
  • 6 pm: Briefing with the participants
  • 7 pm: Dinner & overnight at the lodge

Sunday 17 September 2023

  • 7 am: Breakfast
  • 7.30am : Transfer from Polques to the Laguna Verde (1 hour)
  • 9 am: Départ de l’Étape 1
  • Stage 1: 32 km / 10 hours

Monday 18 September 2023

  • Stage 2: 40 km / 12 hours

Tuesday 19 September 2023

  • Stage 3: 39 km / 12 hours

Wednesday 20 September 2023

  • Stage 4: 49 km / 12 hours

Thursday 21 September 2023

  • Stage 5: 59 km / 12 hours

Friday 22 September 2023

  • Stage 6: 58 km / 12 hours

Saturday 23 September 2023

  • Stage 7: 58 km / 12 hours

Sunday 24 September 2023

  • Stage 8: 49 km / 12 hours

Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 September 2023

  • Stage 9: 136 km / 35 hours

 

  • 3 pm: Check-in in the Salt hotel
  • 7 pm: Award ceremony
  • 8 pm: Dinner & overnight at the hotel

Wednesday 27 September 2023

  • 7 am: Breakfast at the hotel
  • After 8 am: Transfer possible to Uyuni airport

Hotel

⇒ Hotel Jardines de Uyuni
Address: Av. Potosí 113, Uyuni, Bolivie.
Phone number: +591 71 79 04 64

Airport

⇒ Airport Joya Andina, Uyuni

(IATA code: UYU • OACI code: SLUY)

Event Information

Send us a message specifying the race (s) from which you wish to receive Event Information. This document includes the itinerary of the event, the list of compulsory equipment and information to sign-up.

Photos

THE TRACK Bolivia photos

FAQ

Frequently asked Questions

What equipment are compulsory for THE TRACK Bolivia?

During the pre-race checks, each participant must present the following equipment:

  • Backpack x1
  • Sleeping bag (-10 °C comfort) x1
  • Mattress x1
  • Lighter x1
  • Compass x1
  • Knife (min. blade: 3,5 cm) x1
  • Signalling mirror x1
  • Whistle x1
  • Survival blanket x1
  • Headlamp x2
  • Additional batteries x4
  • Kit to cook & to eat x1
  • Solid fuel tablets x20
  • Medical pocket for the first aid x1
  • Salt tablets x20
  • Solar cream x1
  • Sunglass x1
  • Bidons of 1 liter each x2
  • Bag with food (5 days of competition) x2

How to manage the altitude?

Most healthy runners acclimate well to altitude as long as they follow a few simple rules:

  • Observe 2 to 3 days of rest relating to the arrival at altitude,
  • Avoid cooling due to large temperature variations,
  • Listening to your body to detect the onset of Acute Mountain Sickness.

Participants in THE TRACK Bolivia will receive a few months before the event an information letter concerning adaptation to altitude and “Acute Mountain Sickness.”

How much food should we have for the competition?

Each participant must provide his/her own food for 10 days. You must have 2 000k/calories per day, that is to say a minimum of 20 000k/calories. You will have at the beginning 5 days of food in your backpack then will recover food for the 5 remaining days at the arrival of the day 5 (not the morning of the day 6).

At the technical control, you must present 2 bags with your food: one with food for Day 1 to 5 and a second one for Day 6 to 10. The weight of these two bags must be similaire (5% of difference are accepted). You must present us a document with details of calories included in each food bag. The food must be presented at the technical control organized « Day per day » (Pack Day 1, Pack Day 2, …) or « by type of meals » (Pack Breakfasts, Pack race/lunches,).

(!) You must let your freeze-dried meals in the original packaging to travel. We recommend to prepare your food to the competition at your arrival in Bolivia. Don’t travel with fresh food.

How will I be able to orient myself on the course?

Participants must imperatively follow the course provided by the organization under penalty of penalty. The course will be marked by the organization team. In addition, before departure, participants will have a map with the route, distances, directions to follow as well as the particularities of the course. The absence of a card during the event will result in a penalty.

When will we have water during the competition?

Participants receive water at checkpoints, morning and evening at the bivouac. We distribute between 8 and 12 liters per day and per competitor. It is imperative to have your bidons (compulsory equipment) because we do not give the bottles. In addition, we do not distribute hot water.

What are the temperatures expected during the event?

The theoretical temperatures in September are between -10 and -5 °C at night and between +2 and +10 °C during the day. There is also a lot of wind in Sud Lípez.

How will we be accommodated during the event?

During the race the participants sleep in tents (two people per tent).

How to join the group in Uyuni?

Registration fees do not include air tickets. Participants must individually manage transport (plane and airport transfer) to reach the meeting point with the group. Participants must be Friday, September 15 at 2 pm at the Jardines de Uyuni Hotel, Av. Potosí 113, Uyuni, Bolivia

How do I validate my registration?

To register for THE TRACK Bolivia, we ask you to send us the registration form duly completed and signed. This document can be sent by mail or email. You must also send us a copy of your passport, a repatriation insurance certificate. Finally, to confirm your registration, you must pay the deposit.-> Entry fees details

What is the deadline to register?

There is no deadline to register for THE TRACK Bolivia but there are limited number of places available.

The Ultimate Challenge

THE TRACK Series

THE TRACK is an XXL format race: 520 km in 9 stages and 10 days of competition in food self-sufficiency. From now on, THE TRACK Series offers this adventure format on all 5 continents.

What are you waiting for?