Càlig marks a decade of trail running, walking and canicross in 2026

Plan your race pace

Càlig will host the tenth edition of its trail running, walking and canicross event on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, bringing competitive and community events together in the Maestrat. The main race covers 17.5 kilometres, while the walk is 9.5 kilometres and the dog-running event covers 6 kilometres. There will also be urban races for children ages 3 to 12.

The schedule combines different paces and ways to take part in one morning, from a hilly trail race to a noncompetitive walk. Organizers have announced route changes, including a Strava-related segment and a climb to the 13th-century tower. The events start on Avinguda Constitució, next to the Càlig Municipal Sports Center, which will also host bib pickup.

A 10th edition with several ways to take part

The 2026 event marks its 10th anniversary and retains a format open to different participants: trail runners, walkers, people competing with their dogs and families with children. It is not a single race with alternative distances, but a morning of distinct events, each with its own start time and format. That variety keeps the event active from early morning through the children’s races.

The longest course is the trail race, a competitive 17.5-kilometre event with 450 metres of accumulated elevation gain. Canicross is also competitive and covers 6 kilometres with 100 metres of elevation gain, with runners accompanied by a dog. The noncompetitive walk covers 9.5 kilometres with 200 metres of elevation gain. The distances and elevation figures indicate the expected effort, although the precise difficulty will also depend on the terrain and each participant’s pace.

The schedule also includes urban children’s races in three distances: 150 metres for ages 3 to 5, 700 metres for ages 6 to 8 and 1,200 metres for participants ages 9 to 12. The events complement the adult races and let younger children take part without tackling the trail routes. They are scheduled to begin at about 11:30 a.m., so the time should be treated as approximate.

Morning start times and distances

The trail race is scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Canicross follows at 9:10 a.m., and the walk starts at 9:15 a.m. The starts are grouped within a short window, so participants should note that each event has its own time even though they share a starting area. The children’s races are due to begin at around 11:30 a.m.

The schedule separates events with different needs. In canicross, runner and dog complete the course together, while the walk is designed for enjoying the surroundings on foot without competitive rankings. The trail distance and elevation make preparation and pacing different. The announced times are start times, not estimates of how long each event will take: the available information does not specify cutoffs or expected finish times.

The elevation gain and distance provide an initial picture of physical demands: the trail race has 450 metres of climbing over 17.5 kilometres; the walk has 200 metres over 9.5 kilometres; and canicross has 100 metres over 6 kilometres. These figures do not describe every hill or the surface of each section. Detailed route maps had not yet been published when registration opened, so unannounced course details should not be treated as confirmed.

A revised route through paths and local heritage

Organizers have highlighted two features of the 2026 route: a new Strava-linked segment and a climb to the 13th-century tower. The tower adds a heritage landmark to an event that combines physical activity with rural scenery. The announcement does not say which event will pass through each point or provide a complete course description, so these should be understood as general changes, not a final route map.

The Maestrat landscape lies between the Mediterranean coast and the mountainous inland areas of northern Castellón, with fields of olive, almond and carob trees. That setting gives context to an event that invites people to explore the area on foot, but it does not confirm the surface, views or specific locations along the route. The experience will depend on the official route and conditions on the day, two details to check once more complete information becomes available.

The Strava segment has been presented as a new feature for participants looking to test their performance, but the available information does not specify its length, location, ranking system or whether it applies to every event. There is no basis for assuming it is a separate competition or includes prizes. For now, the confirmed detail is that it has been added to this year’s route; further information would need to come from organizers.

Canicross and walking broaden the event

Canicross is a 6-kilometre run with a dog and 100 metres of elevation gain. It is scheduled to start at 9:10 a.m. and is competitive. Running with a dog changes the dynamics of a conventional race: both share the course and pace, making the animal’s welfare and respect for other participants part of the experience. No specific participation requirements have been published here, such as mandatory equipment or veterinary conditions.

Before entering this type of event, participants should check the official rules, particularly requirements for harnesses, running lines, dog identification and health documents. Conditions can vary from event to event and are not detailed in the information available for this edition. It is also sensible to consider the distance, elevation and forecast temperatures, as an effort suitable for one person may not suit every dog. Specific requirements should be confirmed with the organizers.

The walk offers a noncompetitive alternative covering 9.5 kilometres with 200 metres of elevation gain. Its format encourages a more relaxed pace and participation without chasing a time, although it remains a several-hour activity depending on walking speed and terrain. Noncompetitive does not mean effortless: the distance and climbs call for suitable footwear and a realistic assessment of fitness. This is a walking event, not a timed race.

Children’s events and services at the sports center

The urban races are designed for three age groups, with a different distance for each. Children ages 3 to 5 will cover 150 metres; those ages 6 to 8, 700 metres; and participants ages 9 to 12, 1,200 metres. The approximate 11:30 a.m. start means the children’s races are scheduled after the adult starts. Age determines the announced distance, although the published information does not specify birth-year categories or rules for adult accompaniment.

All events start on Avinguda Constitució, next to the Càlig Municipal Sports Center. Bib pickup will also take place there, and the center will provide showers and a bar service. The venue is the main logistical point for participants and spectators. Published information says registration includes a T-shirt for both adult and children’s events, without specifying sizes or conditions.

Having the start, bib pickup and services in one area makes it easier to find your way on event day, but it does not replace checking pickup hours, parking details or last-minute changes. Those details are not included in the available information. Families can note that the children’s start is approximate and adult races begin at 9 a.m. Avinguda Constitució and the sports center are the confirmed reference points for locating the event hub.

Registration and details worth confirming

Registration was announced through event communications and the H&J Crono platform. The reference information does not state the entry fee, registration deadline or capacity, so a reliable price or cutoff cannot be given. It also does not say whether fees are the same for every event. Check the current registration form for the cost before signing up.

Details already announced include the date, distances, elevation gain, start times, meeting point, children’s races and some services. Practical information still missing includes the complete rules, a kilometre-by-kilometre profile, aid stations, time limits, required canicross equipment and the terms for changes or refunds. This distinction matters: an event summary may outline the schedule, but it does not replace the rules governing each event.

Planning is easier when confirmed details are separated from information still to come. The date, Oct. 25, 2026, and planned start times are specified; the complete routes will be announced later, according to the event notice. It is also worth checking for updates to the schedule, registration terms or services. Reviewing official information before traveling avoids relying on provisional details, particularly for a morning with several events and age groups.

A sports morning in the Maestrat

The 2026 edition brings sport, rural surroundings and participation across generations into one event. Its three adult options serve different aims: competing in the trail race, running with a dog in canicross or walking without rankings. Children’s races and the announced route past a local heritage landmark complete the program. The variety does not erase differences in effort, but it creates a morning where people with very different sporting backgrounds can take part.

For trail runners, the key figure is a competitive 17.5-kilometre route with 450 metres of elevation gain. The walk covers 9.5 kilometres, while canicross is scheduled over 6 kilometres. Those numbers make it possible to compare the events without mistaking them for a full description of the terrain. Actual difficulty will depend on the detailed profile, surface and weather, information that should not be assumed before publication.

Ten editions have established the event on the local calendar, but its appeal also lies in its close-knit scale: a shared start by the sports center, routes around Càlig and a program with space for children, walkers and runners. In the Maestrat, agricultural landscapes and history are part of the setting, not an added backdrop. On Oct. 25, the morning will unfold through staggered starts and participants’ different paces, from the children’s 150 metres to the long trail course.