Races
Gran Trail Peñalara
Spain, October. Alpine trails. 110 km. Cutoff 25 hours. The cols come whether you are ready or not.
68 mi+19,639 ft-19,639 ft25 hours3,048 ft to 7,923 fttech 5/106 stationsWSER qualifierOctoberRunning Stones · 3 stones
Distance68 mi
Gain+19,639 ft
Loss-19,639 ft
Altitude3,048 ft to 7,923 ft
Technicality5/10
Air32°F to 75°F
- Start3,907 ft
- High7,921 ft
- Low3,155 ft
- Finish3,907 ft
- Spain at mile 0.0
- Gran Trail Peñalara mile 14 at mile 14, cutoff 5 hours
- Gran Trail Peñalara mile 27 at mile 27, cutoff 10 hours
- Gran Trail Peñalara mile 41 at mile 41, cutoff 15 hours
- Gran Trail Peñalara mile 54 at mile 54, cutoff 20 hours
- Finish Spain at mile 68, cutoff 25 hours
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop1,791 ft-18.1% over 1.9 mi
Night miles26 misunset near 18:00 local
Weather at the cruxcourse math
At hour 9 of race, feels like 26 C (80 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 9 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 26 C / 78 F.
The cruxHigh cols above 2,400 m and long stone descents (near mile 44)
Course DNA
The Course
Gran Trail Peñalara runs 110 km through Spain. +19,639 ft gain and -19,639 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. High cols above 2,400 m and long stone descents. High point near 7,923 ft. Low near 3,048 ft. October temps run 32°F to 75°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 34.
The Work
Train for 19,639 feet of climbing across 110 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 25 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 44.
Kit
October in Spain: plan for 32°F to 75°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 25 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 17. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 34.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 17. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 34. High cols above 2,400 m and long stone descents near mile 44 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 23 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Gran Trail Peñalara finish lines.
Official siteBack to racesPredict your timeTrain for this raceCheck readinessFoot care plan
Sources (1)
- Qualifier: utmb_stones: https://utmb.world/utmb-world-series