Night trail in Torrelles: route, start times and 2026 rules

Plan your race pace

The night mountain event in Torrelles de Foix returns on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, with three options: a 22-kilometer trail race, a 14-kilometer race and a 12-kilometer walk. Starts will take place on Carrer del Casal, with staggered times from 4:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. The routes follow paths around the Penedès area, and participants must carry a headlamp, wear their race number visibly and bring a charged mobile phone.

The event is organized by Torrelles de Foix Town Council, BTT Els Navegants and the race organizers. Its rules set out distances, elevation gain, time limits, course cutoffs and entry conditions for each option. The official distances and elevation gains are 22 kilometers and 1,100 meters, 14 kilometers and 512 meters, and 12 kilometers and 396 meters; understanding the differences helps participants choose an event suited to their experience and plan their evening.

A November event on Penedès trails

The race takes place in Torrelles de Foix, in the Alt Penedès region, and has one feature that shapes both its atmosphere and logistics: all three events begin as daylight fades. The confirmed date is Nov. 21, 2026, when a headlamp is not a decorative accessory but essential equipment for moving safely. Darkness is part of the course and must be considered from the start, including on the shorter routes.

The course passes landmarks in the town and surrounding area. Organizers say the paths will be marked with ribbons and reflective elements, with volunteers at challenging points. Those markers provide guidance but do not replace each participant’s attention: on a night trail, a bend, a change in surface or a crossing may require more care than during a daytime run. Following course markings and staff instructions is essential to safety, not a secondary recommendation.

Starts and the finish are on Carrer del Casal. The 22-kilometer trail begins at 4:45 p.m.; the 14-kilometer race and the 12-kilometer walk start at 5:15 p.m. These times allow participants to plan ahead, but they must also leave room to collect a race number, warm up and reach the starting line. Start times vary by event, so groups with participants in different distances will need to coordinate their preparations.

Three events with different demands

The longest option covers 22 kilometers and 1,100 meters of elevation gain. It is the most physically demanding choice and involves more time in the mountains, so the combination of climbs, uneven ground and darkness calls for appropriate preparation. The 14-kilometer event has 512 meters of elevation gain, while the walk covers 12 kilometers and 396 meters. Distance alone does not tell the whole story: elevation and nighttime conditions matter too.

The 14-kilometer race and the 22-kilometer trail are competitive events and must be completed by running. The 12-kilometer walk, by contrast, is noncompetitive and is intended for people who want to explore the area on foot without taking part in a ranking. That does not make it an urban stroll: its elevation gain and schedule make suitable footwear and a realistic assessment of the terrain important. The rules distinguish walking from racing, including through different cutoffs.

The 22-kilometer trail has a four-hour limit; the 14-kilometer race has a three-hour limit. The walk allows up to three hours and 45 minutes, although the finish is scheduled to close after three hours and 30 minutes. In other words, the available time should not be treated as an invitation to use every minute: intermediate checkpoints and course conditions may determine whether participants can continue. Meeting course cutoffs is mandatory in every event.

Course checkpoints and cutoff times

The 22-kilometer trail starts at 4:45 p.m. Its checkpoints are scheduled at Puig de les Torres, at kilometer 5.8, with a one-hour cutoff; Font dels Giberts, at kilometer 9.3, at one hour and 30 minutes; and Giberts, at kilometer 16.2, at three hours and 30 minutes. The finish closes four hours after the start. Cutoff times are measured from the start of each event, not from a single shared event time.

In the 14-kilometer race, which starts at 5:15 p.m., the Font dels Giberts checkpoint is at kilometer 6.4, with a cutoff of one hour and 15 minutes. The finish closes after three hours. For the walk, also starting at 5:15 p.m., the Santuari de Foix checkpoint is at kilometer 5.8, with a cutoff of one hour and 50 minutes. Its scheduled finish closure is three hours and 30 minutes. Checkpoint locations and times differ by event.

These limits help manage the event and allow staff to monitor progress along the route. Participants who miss a cutoff may be withdrawn, in line with the organizers’ instructions. Planning should account for the fact that speed changes with slopes, surface and visibility; a comfortable pace on a smooth path may be difficult to maintain on a technical climb or narrow section. Cutoffs should be understood as participation and safety conditions, not athletic targets.

Registration, prices and permitted changes

Registration opened on Aug. 10, 2026, at 2 p.m., and the regular entry period ends on Nov. 8 at 11:59 p.m. Registration is handled through the platform designated by the organizers and is confirmed only after payment is completed. Places are limited by event; the rules say organizers may adjust those limits depending on demand or capacity. The closing date does not guarantee that places will remain available until then.

Fees depend on the event and registration period. The 12-kilometer walk and 14-kilometer race cost 27 euros from opening through Aug. 16, 28 euros from Aug. 17-30, and 30 euros from Aug. 31 through Nov. 8. The 22-kilometer trail costs 30, 31 and 33 euros during those same periods. Published entry fees range from 27 to 33 euros, depending on distance and registration date.

The rules allow participants to switch to a shorter distance up to one week before the event, but not to a longer one. A race-number name change is also allowed within that period. Transferring a number without notifying the organizers may lead to both participants being disqualified and barred from future editions. Entry fees are not refunded if a participant withdraws; the stated alternative is to transfer the number in line with the deadline and conditions.

If places sell out, the platform may open a waiting list ordered by sign-up time. When a race number becomes available, the person contacted has 48 hours to complete payment. If that deadline passes, the place goes to the next person and the decision cannot be reversed. The confirmation message includes a security code for managing changes or cancellations, so keeping it makes later requests easier. Checking the junk-mail folder can also prevent participants from missing important messages.

What the entry fee covers and what happens if the event is canceled

The entry fee includes accident insurance, timing, preventive ambulance services, aid stations, a bag drop and participant photographs. It also covers a sandwich and drink at the finish, a sweatshirt and a finisher’s medal, subject to availability. These services are part of registration, but they do not change the safety obligations participants must meet on the course. The included accident insurance covers the event from its start to its finish, according to the rules.

Organizers reserve the right to cancel the event before the start if weather or other external factors put participants’ physical safety at risk. The rules state that entry fees will not be refunded in that situation. Items associated with registration, such as the sweatshirt and medal, would be handed out that day at the designated race-number collection location. A safety-related cancellation does not result in a refund, under the published conditions.

The withdrawal policy also says that fees will not be refunded when someone decides not to participate. Changing the name before the one-week deadline allows a place to be transferred to another eligible participant, but it is not the same as a refund. This distinction matters when separating an authorized transfer from cancellation. The deadline for changing the participant’s name or reducing the distance is seven days before the race.

Race numbers, minors and required equipment

Race numbers can be collected on event day at Casal Torrellenc in Torrelles de Foix. Trail participants can collect theirs from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.; collection for the 14-kilometer race and walk runs until 4:45 p.m. Race numbers must be collected during the assigned window; anyone who does not do so forfeits the included gifts. The trail starts only 15 minutes after its collection window closes, making an early arrival especially important.

The race number must be visible and has a timing chip attached. Everyone must also carry a headlamp and a charged mobile phone. A headlamp helps participants see uneven ground and be seen by others; a phone may be useful for reporting an incident. Organizers refer participants to the details for each route for the complete list of required and recommended equipment. A headlamp and charged phone are explicit requirements for all three events.

Participants under 18 must provide a signed parental authorization and hand it in when collecting their race number. The rules say the race is open to everyone, but this authorization is required for minors. Age categories are junior, born from 2006 to 2012; senior, 1987 to 2005; veteran, 1977 to 1986; master, 1967 to 1976; and supermaster, 1966 or earlier. Category placement is based on the birth years specified in the rules.

Road safety and personal responsibility

Some sections cross roads that remain open to traffic. Organizers place staff at key locations to help participants cross, but everyone must follow their instructions and should not assume that roads are closed. Only vehicles authorized by the organizers may travel on the course. A marked crossing still requires attention and compliance with staff instructions.

Companion animals are allowed if kept on a leash and if prior permission has been granted by the organizers. The rule aims to balance participation with the safety of runners, walkers and animals, particularly on narrow sections and in low visibility. Participants should not assume that keeping an animal leashed is sufficient: prior permission is an additional condition. Authorization must be requested before the event.

Participants accept responsibility for their health and safety during the event. The organizers state that they are not liable for physical, moral or material harm caused by participants or spectators. At the same time, the rules require people to assist or notify the nearest checkpoint if they witness an accident. Failure to help may result in immediate disqualification. Helping an injured person takes priority over pace or placing.

Anyone who withdraws must report it to the nearest checkpoint. This lets staff confirm that the person has left the course and update the participant register, which is especially important during a night event. Continuing independently or leaving without notifying staff can complicate safety checks and searches. A withdrawal is properly recorded only when reported to checkpoint staff.

Respect for the environment and use of images

The course crosses a natural area, and the rules prohibit dropping litter outside designated areas at aid stations or anywhere else along the route. Violating this rule may lead to direct disqualification. The policy protects paths and open spaces used by residents and visitors after the event. Waste must be kept until an authorized disposal point is available, even if it is a small wrapper or food scrap.

Organizers ask participants to follow environmental rules that apply to the area and say everyone shares responsibility for preserving it. In a mountain race, impact depends not only on the number of runners but also on how they behave on trails, follow markings and avoid leaving the route. Protecting the course is part of the conditions of participation, just like meeting cutoffs or carrying required equipment.

Registered participants authorize the use of their image, name and results in photo and video content related to the event. Personal data is used for event-related purposes and handled under applicable law, according to the rules. These conditions accompany participation and are worth understanding alongside registration requirements. The authorization applies to materials related to the race, not unrelated use.

A night event that demands more than a look at the distance

The Penedès event offers three ways to explore the same area: a long race with 1,100 meters of elevation gain, a mid-distance race and a noncompetitive walk. The choice depends on distance, elevation, start time and experience on uneven ground. In November, daylight fades early; required equipment, cutoff times and attention to course markings therefore shape the experience from the first kilometer. Practical preparation begins with understanding the actual course conditions.

For race day, the key details are straightforward: the start is on Carrer del Casal, race numbers are collected at Casal Torrellenc and a headlamp is required. The trail starts at 4:45 p.m. and the other two events at 5:15 p.m.; registration closes Nov. 8 unless places sell out first. Knowing the schedules, fees and rules in advance helps set realistic expectations and allows participants to enjoy the mountains while keeping safety and respect for the environment in view.

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