Almería coast set to host a 75-kilometer ultra

Plan your race pace

Almería’s coast will host a mountain race on Saturday, November 28, 2026, with three formats: ultra, marathon and trail. Organized by C.D. Aqueatacamos, the event follows a point-to-point course through Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park, connecting several coastal communities before finishing in Retamar-El Toyo. The ultra distance is listed as 75 kilometers.

Available registration information lists prices of 100 euros for the individual and team ultra entries, 80 euros for the marathon and 70 euros for the trail race. Starts are spread across Aguamarga, La Isleta del Moro and San José, depending on the distance. Runners therefore need to consider more than their start time: transport to the relevant starting point and the logistics of reaching the finish are part of race-day planning.

A coastal race with three formats

The event, described in published race information as its 12th edition, combines the appeal of the shoreline with the demands of a mountain race. It is not a closed loop with the start and finish in the same place: the course runs in one direction through Cabo de Gata-Níjar and shares a finish in Retamar-El Toyo. The landscape changes along the way, but that layout also makes it important to plan travel and timing in advance.

The program includes a 75-kilometer ultra, a marathon and a race called trail. The materials reviewed do not reliably specify the exact distances of the latter two, so runners should check the current regulations before making decisions about pace, equipment or transport. The format names indicate the range of effort involved, but they are no substitute for the official technical details of each course.

In a point-to-point event, distance does not tell the whole story. Terrain, exposure to wind, elevation and the gaps between checkpoints matter too. Tracks, trails and coastal sections make for a varied route, with fast stretches and others that call for closer attention. The same coastline that opens up wide horizons can leave runners exposed to the sun or wind for long sections.

Race date, starts and entry fees

The listed date for this edition is November 28, 2026. Registration information names four options: individual ultra, team ultra, marathon and trail. Their listed prices are 100 euros, 100 euros, 80 euros and 70 euros, respectively. These amounts reflect the rates in the information reviewed, but they may change across registration periods or when the organizer updates its terms.

The participant guide attributed to the 2026 event lists start times of 8 a.m. for the ultra, 9:45 a.m. for the marathon and 10:30 a.m. for the trail race. These times help indicate how the day is scheduled, although runners should confirm the final information in the organizer’s documentation before traveling. The guide also refers to bus transfers from the finish area to the start locations, with different schedules for each format.

The event has a shared finish, but starts are spread across different locations: Aguamarga for the ultra, La Isleta del Moro for the marathon and San José for the trail, according to published course information. That arrangement means supporters should not plan travel as if every distance starts in the same place. The location and time assigned to each race number are essential details on a morning with several gathering points.

A point-to-point route between desert and Mediterranean

The course crosses Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park and links places including Aguamarga, Las Negras, La Isleta del Moro, San José and Cabo de Gata. The available description refers to coastal paths, tracks and trails rather than a uniform surface. Effort can therefore vary considerably from one section to another: a runnable stretch may encourage a steady pace, while a technical descent or sustained climb calls for conserving energy and watching the ground.

For the ultra, notable checkpoints include Las Negras, La Isleta del Moro, San José and Cabo de Gata before the finish. The marathon shares reference points at San José and Cabo de Gata, while the trail race reaches Cabo de Gata and continues toward the finish. The guide also identifies Aula del Mar and other intermediate points as support or aid-station locations. The precise location and services at each checkpoint should be checked against the current map and regulations.

Some sections require particular concentration. The descent from La Rellana toward Cala San Pedro is described as technical, while the exit from the cove involves a demanding climb. Later, sections with limited markings can make navigation part of the challenge, and the Cabo de Gata area may be exposed to wind. An open landscape of rock, scrub and sea does not necessarily mean easy terrain: paying attention to footing and route is as important as endurance.

Navigation and safety on the trails

The participant guide warns that the course will be marked, but some sections will have sparse or very limited signage. Arrows and visual references are expected at key junctions, but those markers do not remove the need to know the route. On a long course, a moment of inattention at a junction can take a runner off track and create an avoidable problem when fatigue is already building.

For that reason, the participant information says the track must be downloaded to a compatible watch or phone. It is an additional navigation aid, not a replacement for official instructions or course markings. Runners should check that the file is for the 2026 edition, confirm that the device has enough battery and know how to consult the map without stopping in the middle of a difficult section.

The course information also describes medical and safety support, along with support vehicles for possible withdrawals and transport to the finish. Anyone who withdraws is instructed to notify the nearest checkpoint or event staff and follow their directions. Leaving without telling anyone can complicate location and coordination. In this kind of race, reporting a withdrawal is a basic part of the safety procedure, not an administrative detail.

Aid stations and self-sufficiency during the race

The participant information says aid stations may provide water, sports drink, fruit and selected solid foods. A special ultra aid station is mentioned in San José. The exact supplies and locations may change from one edition to another, so the final course map is more useful than assumptions based on previous years.

The guide says there will be no cups at aid stations and runners must bring their own, with a maximum capacity of 33 centiliters in the recommended equipment. It also advises runners not to rely solely on what is available at checkpoints. In a race lasting several hours, carrying a personal reserve of fluids and familiar food can help bridge the gaps between stations, particularly if pace, heat or wind increase consumption.

There is no need for a complicated fueling formula, but familiarity matters. Gels, bars or other foods should be tested during training rather than introduced on race day. For the ultra, distance and time on feet make it especially important to eat before a pronounced energy dip and drink regularly, without waiting for intense thirst. Needs differ by runner and conditions; general guidance is not a substitute for individual medical advice.

Equipment highlighted in the participant guide

For the ultra, the guide reviewed lists a visible race number, reusable cup, water-carrying capacity of at least 0.5 liters, a cap, mobile phone, thermal blanket and whistle. It also mentions a working headlamp, rear light, windproof or waterproof layer and long tights or an equivalent garment. A downloaded course track is recommended as well. The selection reflects a long race, an early start and the possibility of finishing around dusk.

For the marathon and trail, the document lists some of the same items: cup, race number, water capacity of at least 0.5 liters, cap, windproof or waterproof layer, phone and course track. The organizer may require additional equipment depending on the forecast close to race day, so this information should not be treated as a final checklist or as a guarantee that every item will be mandatory for every distance.

The race falls in late November, but the date alone cannot predict conditions on the course. The coast can bring mild temperatures alongside wind, changing light and exposed sections, while prolonged effort affects how cold or heat feels. Checking the forecast shortly before traveling, testing battery life and choosing familiar clothing are more reliable than selecting equipment solely by season.

What supporters can plan

The point-to-point format offers several places to follow the race, but it requires coordination. Las Negras and La Isleta del Moro are reference points for the ultra; San José matters for the ultra and marathon, and Cabo de Gata is listed as a point shared by all three formats. The common finish is in Retamar-El Toyo. Knowing the order of the checkpoints helps prevent improvised travel along roads or access routes that may be far apart.

The guide includes participant transfers from the finish area to the starts, as well as services such as showers, bag storage, food after the race and finish-line physiotherapy. Availability, schedules and specific terms should be checked in the official information for this edition. Supporters should also distinguish between the start location for each distance and the place where the runner finishes: they may not be the same town or access point.

For an event running from early morning into the afternoon, tracking should be realistic. Published passage times can help, but terrain, wind and time spent at stops affect when runners reach each checkpoint. Staying in authorized areas and following staff instructions reduces disruption and supports the safety operation. The course is easier to enjoy when meeting points are planned without getting in the runners’ way.

A race day shaped beyond the trail

The Cabo de Gata ultra is an endurance challenge, but the experience starts before the first trail. Runners need to coordinate registration, transport, equipment and the location of their start; then they must manage effort on a route that combines coastline, tracks and technical sections. Logistics still matter for the shorter formats because they start in different places and converge only at the finish.

Published information describes three formats, a 75-kilometer ultra and a shared finish in El Toyo on November 28, 2026. Listed prices range from 70 to 100 euros, depending on the format. As with any mountain race, operational details can be updated: schedules, the exact course, checkpoints, mandatory equipment and services should be checked against the organizer’s latest documentation.

In Cabo de Gata, the landscape is not a motionless backdrop. It changes with the light, terrain and wind, accompanying runners through much of the day. Sensible preparation combines respect for that variability with a careful reading of the regulations: on a point-to-point race, being well informed is part of being ready.

Este artículo contiene enlaces de afiliado: si compras a través de ellos, se genera una pequeña comisión sin coste adicional para ti. Más información.