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The Lost City Marathon kicks off from the ancient Mayan city of Palenque, México.
The race features both a marathon and a half marathon. The awe-inspiring route follows jungle trails, majestic rivers, picturesque ranches and small villages. It’s a challenging race crossing various surfaces and steep hills.
Palenque is nestled in the dense rainforests of the Chiapas region on the Yucatan peninsula, surrounded by lush vegetation and breathtaking beauty. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the religious and cultural practices of the Maya people which thrived in this once vibrant and powerful city, famous for its well preserved and impressive architecture of the Maya civilization. It has now been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its historical and cultural significance.
A rich birdlife and howler monkeys dominate the jungle and in the open plains hundreds of species of butterflies live.
Travelling Fit is pleased to offer a 9 day package which includes 4 nights in the lively capital of Mexico City to explore iconic landmarks, sample delicious local cuisine, and soak in the energy of the capital before flying to Palenque for the big race.
For those with limited time, you can exclude Mexico City and go straight to Palenque for a 5 day adventure amidst the lush rainforests of Chiapas.
- Packages Include
5 DAY / 4 NIGHT PACKAGE:
- Guaranteed Race Entry (Runners Only)
- Meet and Greet on arrival
- Arrival and departure transfers from/to Villahermosa airport
- 4 Nights accommodation:
Check In: Thu 25 Feb 2027
Check out: Mon 01 Mar 2027 - Meals included as per the itinerary
- Transport included as per the itinerary
- English speaking tour leader
- Local guide and entry to Palenque
- Celebration dinner
- Personalised Travelling Fit Running Top
exclusive to Travelling Fit clients
9 DAY / 8 NIGHT PACKAGE ALSO INCLUDES:
- 4 Nights accommodation in Mexico City:
Check in: Sun 21 Feb 2027
Check out: Thu 25 Feb 2027 - Local guide and entries in Mexico City
- Transfer from Mexico City to the airport on 25 Feb 2027
- Return domestic flights from Mexico City to Villahermosa
- Return transfers from Villahermosa to Palenque
PACKAGE FLYERS
PACKAGE PRICES
The Course
Starting at the Archaeological Zone of Palenque, the race takes you past remnants of the ancient Maya city and guides you along lush jungle trails. After 3km the route transitions to an asphalt path leading downhill until it takes a left turn onto a gravel road. Continuing for a few more kilometres, the route approaches the foothills of the mountains, where it begins to ascend gradually.
Marathon runners keep ascending the mountain towards the village of El Naranjo, where they do a loop and then break off from the gravel road and ventures onto narrow trails leading further into the mountains and the lush jungle. The river Chacamax is crossed a couple of times and a few hills must be climbed. Coming out of the trails near the village of Carranza the path is more or less downhill leading to the intersection where the half marathon runners previously branched off.
The run ends at La Chiapaneca restaurant, where a snack lunch and soft drink will be served for all competitors. You can relax at the finish area and use the pool (bring your own towel).
Surface: Gravel, asphalt, and jungle trails
- On single-trail jungle routes, it is best that you communicate with each other if you wish to pass a runner in front of you and make space for runners coming from behind you
- The route is not closed off to the public. Please respect local residents and exercise caution when running on or near the streets.
- Nordic walking/trekking poles and strollers are not allowed
- Headphones or earplugs are not allowed for the first 3 km due to narrow and tricky trails – it’s important to hear and communicate with other runners. Headphones or earplugs are discouraged for the entire race, especially on forest trails in the mountains.
The route is marked with orange trail flags, KM signs and arrows at intersections. In crucial sections race officials will be positioned. Race officials, doctors, and race photographers will be moving around on the route in vehicles.
Shuttle buses will run to Palenque throughout the day.
Spectators are welcome but must pay for lunch, drinks, and the shuttle back to town.
Testimonials
Race Information
Entry Fees
The entry fee for the Lost City Half Marathon is incorporated into the price of the package you choose and cannot be purchased independently.
Please note that all competitors MUST be 16 years of age on race day
Qualifying Times
There are no qualifying times for the Lost City Half Marathon.
Start Time
The Lost City Marathon will start in waves, with the first wave setting off at 07:00 in the morning. The number of waves will depend on the final number of runners.
Note: The race will end 8 hours after the last runner crosses the start line.
Cut-Off Times
The race will end 8 hours after the last runner crosses the start line. Runners still on the route will be picked up by race officials and driven back to the finish area.
Any runner who does not make the cut off will receive an FNT (Finished No Time) on the results list.
Race Timing
The Lost City Half Marathon will be timed with a timing chip.
Prizes
- Top Finishers: The top three male and female finishers of all distances are the first three to physically cross the finish line after completing the entire course, regardless of their net time.
- All finishers receive a medal.
- A small, symbolic prize is given to the winners of both distances for men and women. Please note that there is no prize money.
Race Packets
Runners will receive their goodie bag at the Race Briefing, which contains a start number, collapsible drinking cup, wristband and a race t-shirt.
Start number:
- Runners will receive one start number that must be worn during the race.
- The start number must be attached to the front of your body and readable – both for safety and photography purposes.
- Do not fold or bend the start number as it may damage the timing chip attached on the backside.
- Start numbers are colour-coded according to the distance you are running:
- Full marathon: Black
- Half marathon: Red
Wristband:
- The wristband ensures entry to the start at the Archeological Zone as well as lunch in the finish area.
- The wristband must be worn on race day and shown to the officers at the gate to the Archeological Zone. Showing your start number is not sufficient to gain entry to the start.
- A broken or loosely attached wristband will not be approved valid to enter the start nor receive lunch.
Pace Setters
There are no pace setters in this event.
Aid Stations
Manned water stations will be available on the route with a rough interval of 3.5-4.5 kilometers.
Water and electrolyte drinks are served at all stations.
A collapsible cup is included in your goodie bag, please use it as your personal cup for race day at water stations. There are no cups available at the stations. No cup = No drink.
Camel bags or your own cup/bottle are allowed, but filling camel bags and bottles along the route is not permitted. Each water station is calculated based on a cup’s size per runner, so filling up other containers with more than this means that the water is not generously distributed.
Please be patient at the water stations and form a line if necessary to avoid grouping around the stations.
Personal Refreshments and Clothing
It is possible to deposit bags with personal belongings in the starting area. These belongings will be transported to the finish area.
Although the finish area will be manned, depositing personal belongings in the area is entirely each runner’s responsibility and the marathon organizers are not responsible for loss or damage of personal belongings.
Gear: Nordic walking and trekking poles are not allowed.
Transport
Buses will bring all spectators from their hotels to the start in the morning. The start area will only be open to the official race buses.
No other vehicles will be allowed access.
Expo
There is no Expo associated with the Lost City Half Marathon
Finishers T-Shirts, Medals and Certificates
All finishers will receive a t-shirt, certificate and finishers medal.
All results will be net time, meaning your time starts from the moment you cross the start line.
However, the top three male and female finishers of both distances are decided on gun time – the first three to physically cross the finish line.
Weather Conditions
February is one of the driest months in Mexico, with hot weather and pleasant water temperatures. You can expect an average daily high around 27°C (80°F). Its one of the more popular months to visit, where its not too hot with little to no chance of rain.
Shorts and T-shirt/singlet may be the preferred outfit for most, but some may also like long tights and sleeves to avoid ticks when running through the jungle.
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