Gia Lai City Trail 2026: dates, bibs, start

The race has changed shape this year. Earlier editions had 5, 10, 21 and 42 km; now there are five distances, 6, 12, 30, 50 and 70 km, with about three times the climbing of last season. It is part of the 2026 National Tourism Year events for Gia Lai and expects 3,500 runners from Vietnam and abroad. If you are running, this page tells you what to check this week. If you are here for a friend or family member, it tells you where to stand, how to get there in the dark and what else to do while they run.

The weekend day by day

The long distances start in the middle of the night, the short ones at sunrise. The iRace page runs the event from 3 am on 31 October to 12 noon on 1 November, Vietnam time, which matches the schedule the organisers fixed when they walked the course with the provincial police on 17 October.

The organiser’s own site does not list start times; they come from the course survey on 17 October. So the night before, open your runner email, confirm the times and save a screenshot on your phone, because signal around Biển Hồ at 3 am may be weak.

Distances, cut-offs and who can enter

The cut-off is the number that decides whether your finish is recorded. It is two hours for 6 km, three and a half hours for 12 km, eight hours for 30 km, 15 hours for 50 km and 19 hours for 70 km.

The 6 km goes through villages and coffee gardens, and its high point is the 154 steps at Biển Hồ. The 30 km follows the 12 km route and passes Tiên Sơn parish church, the foot of Chư Jôr mountain and the Ngô Sơn rice fields. The 50 km, called Lửa Thiêng (“Sacred Fire”), has three mountains in a row; it crosses the Mũi Voi and Mõm Voi rock plateau, the Thánh Giá (“Cross”) peak, Chư Nâm peak and Lơr mountain before the finish. The 70 km is the longest and hardest, over eight mountains, at heights between 864 and 1,472 m above sea level. Total climbing in metres has not been published for each distance, so study the course map and elevation profile on the distances page before you decide your pace.

People with heart or breathing problems are advised not to take part. For the 70 km, the head of the organising committee asks runners to have a health check beforehand, because the mountain terrain is rough, with steep climbs and exposed summits.

Getting to the Biển Hồ gate before dawn

Start and finish are at the main gate of Biển Hồ tourist area, Tôn Đức Thắng street, Biển Hồ commune. The 70 km runners leave at 3 am and need to be there well before; the 6 km runners go at about 6 am. The road from central Pleiku to the lake is in our guide to Biển Hồ Lake; set your map to the Biển Hồ junction the evening before so you do not miss a turn in the dark.

No source gives a shuttle, parking for spectators or road closures around the lake for the two race days. What is known is that staff were arranged for guiding runners, traffic diversion and security after the 17 October survey, and that the committee met on 16 October about medical care, rescue, traffic and signage. So do not rely on finding signs on the road: read the race Facebook page before you leave.

We suggest fixing your ride the evening before:

• Grab or taxi: book ahead, because the start times are so early. How to book is in our taxi and ride-hailing guide.
• Your own motorbike: only if you are staying close to the lake; rental prices and papers are in renting a motorbike in Pleiku.
• Hotel or host drives you: the easiest option when you must leave in the dark.

Where to sleep and eat

Our pick. If you want to sleep close to the lake, try Pleiku Adventures Homestay. Brad, the Australian host, lives in Pleiku and speaks English; you can walk to the lake, and he knows the trails around the volcano and coffee hills. After the race, Pleiku Balcony in town is a good place for a craft beer. Phone and Messenger details are on the homestay and bar page.

You have two choices: sleep near Biển Hồ and walk to the start, or stay in central Pleiku for easier meals and ride out. The Gong Festival runs 30 October to 8 November 2026 in Pleiku ward, Biển Hồ commune and nearby, so rooms fill up faster than usual; we recommend a booking you can change. Areas and budgets are in where to stay in Pleiku.

For food, nothing new before a race. Eat something familiar the night before, and for the later starts at 12 km and 6 km, a light breakfast is enough. Afterwards, breakfast in Pleiku lists places that open early, late-night food in Pleiku suits those finishing the 70 and 50 km in the night, and Pleiku coffee has spots where family can wait for you. Call ahead for opening hours around the festival days.

Spectators: what to do while they run

You do not have to stand at the finish line all day. The 70 km cut-off is 19 hours and the three long distances start between 3 and 5:30 am on 31 October, so there is a long gap to fill. Pleiku ward and nearby communes also have cultural and tourism events during the race.

The biggest draw is the Gong Festival, opening on 30 October; the programme is in Gia Lai Gong Festival 2026. Right next to the start you can stroll around Biển Hồ. The course passes Biển Hồ tea hill, Bửu Minh pagoda, Chư Đăng Ya volcano, the old H’Bâu church and Chư Nâm mountain, so you can visit those on your own; start with Chư Đăng Ya volcano. Late October is the start of wild sunflower season on the crater; see sunflower season in Pleiku for timing. More seasonal reading is in seasons and festivals.

Where to stand along the course and where spectators can reach aid stations have not been announced, so read the race Facebook page before you pick a spot, and do not walk onto the mountain sections without guidance.

Checklist before race day

• Entry closed on 4 October 2026 and the iRace ticket page shows it closed. The deadline to change distance, shirt size or transfer a bib on iRace was 7 October 2026; do not count on late entry or bib changes at the expo.
• Fees are not refunded if you do not run, for any reason.
• Everyone writes a health declaration when registering; under-18s need a parent or legal guardian.
• For 50 and 70 km, keep proof of your 21 km or 42 km finish within 24 months.
• Bib papers, desk times and place: your organiser email and the Expo & Racekit page. Questions: hotline or Zalo 0977 005090 (Timve365) or info@timve365.vn.
• Required gear (light, rain jacket, water bottle), the medical certificate and prizes are in the race rules on the general info page.
• Weather: the organisers have a plan for bad weather, especially heavy rain. Check Pleiku weather and pack rain gear.
• Latest news: the race site gialaicitytrail.com and the local report on the course survey.

One last thing: the race runs from 30 October to 1 November and the schedule can still shift, so on the morning of 30 October read your organiser email once more before you go for your bib.