The Rota da Baleia Challenge was created in 2019 by On Sports with a clear purpose: to take athletes and running enthusiasts to one of the most stunning landscapes in Brazil. More than a race, it's a journey along the challenging and enchanting Rota da Baleia Franca (Southern Right Whale Route), crossing the municipalities of Laguna, Imbituba, and Garopaba in Santa Catarina.
Since its first edition, the event has been a true test of endurance and overcoming challenges. It is an Ultramarathon Trail Run, a modality that is growing worldwide by uniting sport and nature in an extreme challenge. The course covers 80 kilometers, where each athlete, whether solo, in pairs, quartets, or octets, has up to 13 hours to face rugged terrain, challenging elevations, and the unpredictability of nature.
Starting in 2021, the Rota da Baleia Challenge gained international recognition, becoming part of the official ITRA (International Trail Running Association) calendar, with a classification of 3 ITRA Points and 403 finisher points, in addition to 1 mountain point. The race also became part of the National League, reinforcing its prestige in the trail running scene.
More than just a race, the Rota da Baleia Challenge is a transformative experience. A course filled with breathtaking landscapes, challenges that test physical and mental limits, and the emotion of each athlete as they cross the finish line.
Races Offered
80 km
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
80K
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
05:00
42 km
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
42K
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
10:30
21 km
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
21K
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
13:00
8 km
Sep 12, 2026
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Distance —
8K
terrain
Type —
Running
timer
15:00
Weather History
These values represent the 3-year monthly averages for September in Garopaba.
thermostatTemperature
15.8° / 22.5°
wb_sunnyFeels like
14.8° / 22.3°
light_mode
Avg sunshine hours
8h 18m
water_drop
Avg rainfall
3.5 mm
ac_unit
Avg snowfall
—
air
Avg wind speed
13.4 km/h (Gentle breeze)
opacity
Sweat loss rate
Moderate
terrain
Course conditions
Firm and slightly soft
sunny
Max UV Index
High (6.0)
humidity_mid
Humidity
82.7%
wb_twilight
Sunrise
06:10
nightlight
Sunset
18:07
About Garopaba
Learn more about the host city, Garopaba.
Garopaba is a town on the South coast of the state of Santa Catarina in Brazil. Before being discovered by tourists, Garopaba was a small fishing village. During the 1970s, foreigners carrying backpacks and tents discovered this then small fishermen village, and started to lend the city a different air and color. This kicked off changes that led to what today is a city that thanks to an adequate urban land legislation, still keeps the old characteristics of the original village, with one and two-story houses.
