Trail de Jalance 2026: distances, prices and course

Jalance will once again become a meeting point for Valencian trail running on September 23, 2026, with an event combining competition and popular participation in the inland province of Valencia. Organised by Amida Sports together with Jalance Town Council and included in the Sendas de Gigantes circuit, the event will offer a 6-kilometre walk, a 12.8-kilometre sprint and a main 20.5-kilometre race.

The long distance contains the greatest challenge: 1,183 metres of positive elevation over just more than 20 kilometres, a demanding ratio that requires careful management of climbs, descents and sun exposure. The shorter race is not an easy outing either, as its 629 metres of climbing make it an intense event, while the walk is designed as a non-competitive option for discovering the area at a different pace.

A mountain race in the Ayora-Cofrentes valley

Jalance lies in one of inland Valencia’s most distinctive areas, beside the Júcar River and in the Ayora-Cofrentes valley. The landscape combines limestone hills, ravines, narrow paths and open sections overlooking the mountain ranges around the town. This setting gives the race a different identity from events held near the coast.

The presence of Jalance’s Muela and its Moorish castle provides a recognisable visual landmark, although the sporting appeal lies in the succession of climbs and descents. The course is not limited to fast forest tracks: accumulated elevation, rocky sections and frequent pace changes require a stable stride and constant attention to the ground.

The 2026 edition will be part of Sendas de Gigantes, a circuit bringing together mountain races with different profiles and distances. The proposal is designed for experienced runners, participants who prefer a shorter race and people who want to walk through the landscape. This mixture explains why the programme includes three clearly differentiated formats.

Distances, formats and elevation

The main race will cover approximately 20.5 kilometres and 1,183 metres of positive elevation. It is short in absolute distance, but the climbing is highly concentrated. For many participants, finishing time will be influenced more by the climbs and descents than by the number of kilometres. The profile requires saving energy from the start and avoiding an all-out effort on every uphill section.

The mountain sprint will reach 12.8 kilometres and accumulate 629 metres of positive elevation. Its format reduces the total duration while retaining a considerable vertical load. It is an alternative for anyone seeking an intense competition without taking on the volume of the long race. The relationship between distance and elevation makes its average pace difficult to compare with an urban road race.

The third option will be a non-competitive 6-kilometre walk, open to participants with different fitness levels. It will not have the same classification element as the other two formats, but it will allow people to enjoy Jalance’s landscape without facing the demands of a mountain race. This option broadens the event’s participatory character and makes it easier for families and supporters to attend.

The published distances and profiles may vary slightly depending on the final course, measurement or marking decisions. For that reason, the most useful way to assess difficulty is not just the kilometre figure, but the combination of elevation, terrain and expected temperature in inland Valencia at the end of September.

Entry prices and expected services

The announced fee is 10 euros for the 6-kilometre walk, 19 euros for the 12.8-kilometre sprint and 24 euros for the 20.5-kilometre long race. These prices are differentiated by format and may be subject to the conditions or quotas set by the organisers during registration.

Competitive registration includes the usual services of a mountain race, such as a bib with timing control, assistance at designated points and coverage during the event under its stated conditions. Access to finish-line services and a race souvenir or shirt has also been announced, although the final details should be checked in the relevant regulations.

The number of places will be limited. This is particularly relevant in a smaller race, where the capacity of aid stations, the start area and the trails affects the participant experience. Registration should not be judged only by its price, but also by the chosen distance, required equipment and participation conditions published by the organisers.

The day will also include a social element: a special prize has been announced for the largest team, consisting of a cured ham. The detail reflects the event’s popular spirit and encourages clubs, groups of friends and local organisations to take part without changing the competitive nature of the two trail races.

Schedule and bib collection

Bib collection on the previous day is scheduled at the Permanent Office in the Municipal Swimming Pool, from 5 to 8 p.m. On race day, the same process can be completed between 7 and 8:30 a.m. These times matter for participants travelling from Valencia, Albacete or elsewhere, since Jalance’s inland location makes it sensible to plan the journey with enough margin.

The official start of the competitive formats is scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Podium Truck area, which will also host the start and finish. The available information does not specify a separate start for the walk, so that detail should be defined by the organisers in the final event documentation.

The difference between bib collection at the swimming pool and the start location should be considered when planning the morning. Although both areas are within the town, arriving early allows participants to solve problems, locate services and avoid rushed movements before the start. In a race with substantial elevation, beginning the day calmly is part of sensible preparation.

Terrain and difficulty

The course will follow paths and tracks in Jalance’s mountain surroundings, with limestone rock, loose surfaces and frequent changes in gradient. On climbs, walking briefly can be more efficient than trying to run continuously. On descents, difficulty will depend not only on steepness but also on unstable stones and accumulated fatigue.

The 1,183 positive metres of the long distance place the event at a demanding level for its length. It is not a race that can be prepared in the same way as an urban half marathon. Runners need to become comfortable alternating running and walking, dealing with sustained elevation and descending without locking their legs. Quadriceps and glute strength will be decisive in the second half.

The sprint has fewer kilometres, but its elevation remains significant. A fast start may be tempting because the distance appears manageable on paper. However, 629 metres of climbing over 12.8 kilometres leave little room to recover from poor pacing. A controlled rhythm on the first ramps is usually more useful than chasing an impossible constant speed.

The organisers have announced that GPX routes and elevation profiles will be available. Consulting them makes it possible to identify the steepest sections, locate the most vertical climbs and understand whether most of the elevation comes early, in the middle or near the end. In trail running, knowing the shape of the course is nearly as important as knowing its length.

Aid stations, water and sun exposure

Late September can bring pleasant mornings in Jalance, but inland Valencia often retains high temperatures as the day progresses. Open sections of the mountains offer little shade and may increase heat stress, especially in a format lasting more than two hours. The specific forecast should be checked closer to race day.

The location and exact number of aid stations should be confirmed in the final regulations. Even so, the combination of elevation and heat means it is unwise to rely on a single water stop. Participants should know the distance between aid points and carry a system that makes drinking easy, such as a belt, soft flask or hydration vest.

For a mountain race, carrying at least 500 millilitres of fluid between aid stations is a sensible reference, adjusted to expected duration, temperature, pace and individual sweat rate. This figure is not a personal plan, but it offers a basic guide to avoid starting a long climb without reserves. The hydration system should also be tested in training because uncomfortable equipment can cause chafing and alter running form.

Food intake should match the actual duration of the effort. Participants in the long race may need carbohydrates during the event, while the sprint will require a simpler strategy for most runners. Gels, bars and solid foods should be tested beforehand. Race day is not the time to try a new product or improvise a combination of salts and drink.

Suitable equipment for Jalance’s trails

Footwear should provide dependable grip on rock and loose ground. A trail shoe with medium or deep lugs may be more suitable than a road shoe, especially on descents and uneven surfaces. The choice will also depend on the runner’s preferences, outsole stiffness and the possibility of rain.

Clothing should suit a mountain day rather than only the temperature at the start. A cap or visor, sunglasses and sunscreen are useful on exposed sections. Lightweight, breathable garments help manage heat, while a thin extra layer may make sense if the forecast suggests a cooler morning than usual.

Poles may help some participants in the long distance, particularly on sustained ramps. They are not essential for everyone and require technique to avoid obstructing others on narrow paths. Anyone using them should train with them in advance and learn to store them on sections where they offer no advantage.

Mandatory equipment, safety conditions and possible requirements for containers or tracking devices should be stated in the regulations. The safest reference will always be the documentation published by the organisers. Carrying extra equipment adds weight, but arriving without essential items can turn a minor incident into a serious problem.

Getting there and locating the start

Jalance lies inland in Valencia province, within the Ayora-Cofrentes valley. From Valencia city, the drive may take between 75 and 90 minutes depending on the starting point and traffic, using the A-3 and N-330 towards the valley. From Albacete, the journey may take about one hour by road.

Public transport connections are more limited than in coastal towns or major cities. Therefore, a private car is usually the most practical option for reaching Jalance and moving around the region. Participants travelling together can reduce journeys and parking issues by coordinating their arrival in advance.

The event’s central area, identified near the Podium Truck, will host the start and finish. The Municipal Swimming Pool will serve as the permanent office for bib collection and issues. The layout may change for logistical reasons, so participants should follow race-day signs and staff instructions.

The trip also offers the chance to visit local attractions such as Jalance Castle, Cueva de Don Juan and the landscapes near the Cortes-La Muela reservoir and Cofrentes. Turning participation into a weekend visit is a reasonable way to discover a region outside the busiest sporting circuits.

An event for different runner profiles

The structure of the day allows very different goals to coexist. The long distance will attract those seeking to test endurance on a vertical course; the sprint those wanting a concentrated and intense race; and the walk those wishing to explore without classification. This variety prevents the event from being limited to one type of runner.

Difficulty, however, should not be confused with duration. Someone used to road running may complete 12 kilometres comfortably and still find a mountain sprint with 629 metres of elevation a major challenge. Gradient, surface and the need to watch foot placement completely change the physical cost of each kilometre.

The long format requires an honest assessment of previous experience, the ability to spend several hours on uneven terrain and individual tolerance to heat. Runners unfamiliar with elevation may find the sprint more proportionate, while the walk provides a calmer introduction to Jalance’s natural surroundings.

Responsible participation also means respecting the course, carrying waste to collection points and following the organisers’ instructions. In a race through natural spaces, every wrapper left outside a collection area creates an unnecessary mark. Competition loses its meaning if the route is more damaged at the finish than it was at the start.

Jalance, a mountain event with its own identity

The appeal of the event is not explained by its numbers alone. The race takes participants through ravines and inland Valencian ranges, where the quiet of the trails contrasts with the atmosphere around the start and finish. The castle, limestone formations and the Júcar River create a recognisable setting that distinguishes the event from urban circuits.

The 2026 edition will combine a 20.5-kilometre long race, a 12.8-kilometre sprint and a 6-kilometre walk, priced at 24, 19 and 10 euros respectively. The start is scheduled for 9 a.m., while bib collection will take place at the Municipal Swimming Pool. These are the essential programme details, although operational information should be confirmed in the official documents.

With its inclusion in Sendas de Gigantes, the race gains a place within the mountain calendar while retaining a close scale, more connected to the town and its landscape than to large mass events. For runners, the appeal will be deciding how much elevation to take on; for visitors, discovering a corner of Valencia where trails still set the pace of the day.