§staticmap(9464,3,450,250)Hello, on July 5th 2012, you’ll be organizing the Inca Trail 26.2mi Marathon. Can you tell us where it is located?
It is located in the mountains along the Classic Inca trail. This starts in the Sacred Valley of the Incas near Cusco and finishes at the ancient citadel of Machu Picchu, Peru.
How old is the race and why was it created in the first place?
First year is 2012. To be able to experience the beauty of the Inca trail and the wonder of Machu Picchu in a race environment is something I have always wanted to experience and offer my clients. To run and actually race to a place as special as Machu Picchu is something any trail runner and racer would see as a " special reward".
It is all trail, mix of dirt and paved stone sections that are actually originally laid by the Inca people over 600 years ago. Very remote. Tough. The route crosses 2 high mountain passes (one at 13,800 feet).
Gorgeous- It passes through many different ecological zones including high andean grasslands, cloud forest, and high mountain rain forest.
How many runners do you expect on Thursday morning? What type of runners do you plan to attract?
We are looking for about 200 runners, we plan on a mix of experienced trail runners and some more competitive types (possibly some celebrity ultra runners) and also some who are looking to complete the course on a more recreational type pace for the experience of doing the entire Inca trail in one day instead of the 3 1/2 it normally takes.
Due to the lack of access points along the trail, and its remote location, this is the only distance offered.
At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect?
This is the driest time of year, only 2 days of rain during the month of July, temperatures will fluctuate with elevation between roughly 40 and 75 degrees F.
Have you planned festivities around the marathon?
Yes, we have a celebration dinner with awards that evening after the race with spectators and runners. The best day is a guided tour of Machu Picchu the day after the race, and the entire tour to Peru that the marathon is a part of is geared towards the athletes and spectators having a memorable and meaningful experience in Peru beyond the race.
Cusco is great- Lots of great restaurants and fun nightlife options. We will be visiting some of these during the tour and there is ample free time in the package where racers can explore the city on their own as well.
In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the Inca Trail 26.2mi Marathon?
Run the Inca Trail Marathon, Explore the highlights of Peru – It’s More than a Race!
Interview with Erik Rasmussen, owner of Erik’s Adventures.
Eric always considered himself an active and adventurous person with a love for travel, endurance sports, and outdoors. In 2005, he decided to share his adventures with others and started Erik’s Adventures. Since then, he’s been making his passion for travel and sports his business by taking many different groups to some of his favorite places in search of adventure.