202523rd edition
Villa La Angostura
The most recent edition.
Lucas Del Pero · Anna Tarasova
Since 2002
The race
Twenty-four editions, two countries and one idea that has never changed: crossing the Andes on foot.
What is El Cruce
A three-day race through the mountains, sleeping in camps. It was born to cross the Andes linking Argentina and Chile, which is why the route changes every year: there is always a new pass, a different landscape.
01
The goal
To link two countries on foot. The Andes offer many passes, and the original spirit lives on in the constant search for new routes.
02
The places
Mountains and volcanoes, snowy peaks, forests, lakes, valleys and rocky terrain. The weather can bring 20 °C and sunshine, or cold, snow, wind and rain.
03
The runners
Men and women of all ages from more than 40 countries. Most are amateurs, some are elite, and all of them test their limits.
04
The organization
A team that works all year round and multiplies during the race: meals, camps, hydration, transfers, doctors, ambulances and helicopters in the middle of the mountains.
Not everyone can run it. But whoever does will never forget it.
History
Year by year
From 124 adventurers in Penitentes to thousands of runners from all over the world.
202422nd edition
San Martín de los Andes
4,500 runners from 45 countries. Ascent of Lanín volcano, camp on the shores of Lake Huechulafquen and finish on the Lake Lácar waterfront. La Etapa is born, with 30 km.
Robert Pkemoi · Sylvia Nordskar
202321st edition
Cerro Catedral, Bariloche
4,500 runners from 47 countries. Refugio Frey, 70 km/h gusts on Cerro Capón and a finish on Cerro San Martín.
Miguel Heras · Grayson Murphy
202220th edition
Villa La Angostura
For the first time a venue was repeated, for those who had to postpone their trip because of the pandemic. Camps at Lago Espejo and Bahía Inalco.
Gamaniel Huamán Córdoba · Roxana Flores
202119th edition
Villa La Angostura
The comeback after the suspension, with the start and finish on the main avenue. Cerro Bayo, Correntoso River and Cerro O’Connor.
Gamaniel Huamán Córdoba · Roxana Flores
2020Suspended
COVID-19 pandemic
201918th edition
Lanín Volcano
More than 4,000 runners. From the Tromen pass to Lake Huechulafquen, stone beaches at Paimún and a finish in San Martín de los Andes.
Sergio Gustavo Pereyra · Holly Page
201817th edition
Pucón, Chile
After 16 editions in February, El Cruce moves to December. More than 5,000 runners between the Villarrica and Quetrupillán volcanoes.
Remigio Huamán · Amber Philp
201716th edition
Cerro Catedral, Bariloche
Border formalities at the El Manso pass and a course past Etelvina's house, which has the border marker in its garden.
Remigio Huamán · Tania Díaz Estévez
201615th edition
San Martín de los Andes
More than 3,000 runners cross into Chile through the Hua Hum pass. A 43 km first stage from Quila Quina.
Marco De Gasperi · Oihana Kortazar
201514th edition
Cerro Catedral, Bariloche
2,500 runners of 36 nationalities. Pampa Linda, Mount Tronador and the crossing of Laguna Frías by boat to Puerto Blest.
Ernani Souza · Luciana Urioste
201413th edition
Osorno Volcano, Chile
Probably the toughest one: a storm, hurricane-force winds and hail forced changes to stages 2 and 3. Finish at the foot of Puyehue volcano.
Marco De Gasperi · Emma Roca
201312th edition
Pucón, Chile
The Solo category is added. Three sunny stages and a finish at the foot of Lanín volcano.
Max King · Oihana Kortazar
201211th edition
Puerto Fuy, Chile
1,500 participants from 23 countries. Ten kilometers on snow on Mocho volcano, at 2,133 m above sea level. Gustavo Reyes and Nelson Ortega, three-time champions.
Gustavo Reyes and Nelson Ortega
201110th edition
Lake Rucachoroi, Neuquén
Ten years changing location every time. Araucaria trees, three camps and ridges dividing Argentina and Chile all the way to Lake Icalma.
Gustavo Reyes and Nelson Ortega
20109th edition
Bariloche · El Manso pass
More than 1,500 runners from 20 countries in rain and wind. After 90 mm in 24 hours a bridge broke and a camp had to be set up in a few hours.
Gustavo Reyes and Nelson Ortega
20098th edition
San Martín de los Andes
Over 1,000 runners for the first time. Volcanic lava, canoe crossings and wading chest-deep between lakes Paimún and Huechulafquen. Ideal weather.
Aurelio Olivar and Salvador Calvo
20087th edition
Cerro Catedral, Bariloche
First time in Bariloche. Lake Mascardi, Ventisquero Negro, Pampa Linda and Paso de las Nubes, finishing in Puerto Blest.
Sebastián Tosti and Samuel Ayala
20076th edition
Esquel · Trevelin
A new province and a new pass: Futaleufú. Lake Rosario, the steppe and the Baguilt glacier.
Julián Peralta and Sebastián Tosti
20065th edition
Villa La Angostura
Runners arrive from more than 16 countries. Ridges of Cerro Bayo, Lago Espejo and the crossing through the Cardenal Samoré pass.
Sebastián Tosti and Samuel Ayala
20054th edition
San Martín de los Andes
Some 600 competitors and four lakes. Crossings by boat and canoe between lakes Lácar and Nonthué, finishing at Lake Pirihueico.
Ramiro Paris and Julián Peralta
20043rd edition
Pucón, Chile
More than 500 runners. A measuring error lengthened the first stage and forced changes to the second: a lesson for the whole organization.
Pablo Ureta and David Widoff
20032nd edition
Villa Pehuenia, Neuquén
The number of runners doubles. Sunshine at the start, snowfall in the afternoon and 60 cm of snow on the second stage. There was a wedding in the middle of camp.
Luis Austin and Sergio Trecaman
20021st edition
Penitentes, Mendoza
In the middle of a crisis, 124 adventurers link Penitentes, Aconcagua and Portillo through the Cristo Redentor pass. Each pitched their own tent, and many still remember an army stew.
Past editions