The Early Years
2011Established in 2011, the Inca Trail Half Marathon is now 15 years old. From its first edition in Cusco, it has evolved into a race that reflects the character of its host region in Peru.
Get Your Training Plan
Free, personalized for this race
Course & Elevation
This breathtaking trail race follows sections of the legendary Inca Trail, starting in the Sacred Valley near Ollantaytambo and ascending through cloud forests and ancient Incan terraces. Runners experience dramatic altitude changes with significant elevation gain through thin mountain air, passing sacred archaeological sites and stunning Andean vistas. The course combines technical trail running with cultural immersion, creating one of the world's most spectacular and challenging half-marathon experiences.
Surface: trail Profile: Mountainous
Weather
Temperature 12°C
Humidity 65%
Rain Chance 15%
August is the dry season in the Andes with cool mountain air and low precipitation. Expect crisp mornings, moderate midday temperatures, and variable conditions at altitude with potential afternoon cloud cover.
The Race
Cusco
Race Lore
The Hills That Break You
With 850m of elevation gain, the Inca Trail Half Marathon is not a course for the faint-hearted. The climbs are where races are won and lost — where the gap between training and undertrained reveals itself without mercy. Locals say the course doesn't beat you; it just waits for you to beat yourself.
Only the Committed Finish
The Inca Trail Half Marathon carries an "extreme" difficulty rating for good reason. The combination of terrain, conditions, and distance creates an event where finishing is a genuine achievement. Drop-out rates are high, preparation requirements are serious, and the line between adventure and misadventure is thin.
🏅 Create Your Inca Trail Half Marathon Diploma
Finished this race? Get a free certificate with celebrity comparisons & race day weather
Registration
Registration Opens April
Registration Closes July
Entry Cost S/. 280-380
Register Now
Official Website →
Fun Facts
- ▸ The race takes place at altitudes between 2,560m and 2,950m, requiring significant acclimatization as runners experience roughly 25% less oxygen than at sea level.
- ▸ Runners pass through multiple Incan archaeological sites including terraces and structures dating back to the 15th century, making this as much a historical pilgrimage as a sporting challenge.
- ▸ August is the dry season in the Andes, offering the best trail conditions and clearest views of snow-capped Andean peaks throughout the race.
- ▸ The point-to-point course design means runners experience the full drama of the Sacred Valley topography without repetition, with support teams following via traditional mountain trails.
Compare With Similar Races
Are you the race organizer?
Free · Get featured on our homepage · Edit your race details
Get alerts for Inca Trail Half Marathon
Registration openings, date changes, sell-out warnings.