Hostrailric 2027: date, distances and trail race prices

Plan your race pace

The 10th edition of the Cursa Hostrailric will take place on Feb. 21, 2027, in Hostalric, in Girona province. The main event is a 24-kilometer trail race with about 1,300 meters of elevation gain, alongside a 14-kilometer race and a 10-kilometer walk. The organizer’s regulations also set out the distances, start times and entry fees.

The 24-kilometer race starts at 9 a.m. from the castle moat and has a four-hour cutoff. The schedule also lists a 9:15 a.m. start for the 14-kilometer event and a 9:16 a.m. start for the walk. Registration is scheduled to open on Nov. 2, 2026. Until then, the published prices and conditions are information from the event rules, not confirmation that a place is already available.

Confirmed date and the 2027 edition

The Club Esportiu Hostrailric, with support from Hostalric Town Council, has announced the 10th edition for Sunday, Feb. 21, 2027. That date matches the information supplied for this event and the regulations specific to the race. Some sports calendars list different dates or distances, but anyone planning to take part should distinguish those entries from the organizer’s detailed information for this edition.

The difference matters: a calendar listing may retain provisional details, summarize a previous edition or fail to update every field at once. In this case, the regulations describe three options of 24, 14 and 10 kilometers, while other records cited in the available information show different figures. The program published for the 10th edition is the one to use as a reference, though it is sensible to check for changes before traveling.

The race falls in the middle of winter, which can affect both the terrain and clothing choices. The regulations say bad weather alone will not automatically stop the event, although the organizer reserves the right to cancel it if deemed necessary. That provision is not a guarantee that the race will go ahead in every condition: the final decision belongs to the organizer and may depend on the safety of the course.

The challenge of 24 kilometers and 1,300 meters of climbing

The long course combines 24 kilometers with approximately 1,300 meters of elevation gain. It is not a road race with an occasional hill: the official description includes paths, trails, forest tracks and paved sections. The distance and climbing make accumulated elevation and ground conditions just as important as running pace.

Elevation gain is the total of the course’s uphill sections, not the difference between its lowest and highest points. Two courses of the same length can therefore require very different levels of effort. At Hostrailric, the roughly 1,300 meters point to a mountain race where runners should save energy for climbs and manage descents carefully, particularly if mud or moisture reduces traction.

The maximum time allowed for the trail is four hours. That limit includes running, stops at aid stations and any incident that slows a participant. No mile-by-mile profile or detailed breakdown of intermediate climbs has been provided, so it is not possible to set out a precise strategy for each ascent or descent.

The organizer lists four aid stations for this distance: two with liquids and two with solid food. The information helps explain the general setup, but does not specify the contents, locations or spacing of the stations. Participants should review the final operational instructions when available and avoid assuming that either the course or services will remain unchanged.

A 14-kilometer race and a walking option

The Express course covers 14 kilometers with about 600 meters of elevation gain. Its start is scheduled for 9:15 a.m., and runners have up to three hours and 45 minutes to finish. It is shorter than the long trail, but the elevation and the presence of paths and trails mean it remains a mountain race, not a flat beginner road event.

Two aid stations, one with solid food and one with liquids, are listed for this distance. As with the 24-kilometer course, the regulations do not specify which products will be available or the precise locations along the route. The distance may appeal to people looking for a shorter day on the trails, although actual difficulty will also depend on the ground, weather and each runner’s experience.

The third option is a walk covering 10 kilometers with about 300 meters of elevation gain. Its start is set for 9:16 a.m., with a maximum time of three hours and 45 minutes. It is noncompetitive: there will be no results ranking or awards for this event. The format allows people to take part at a different pace from the races, but it shares the mountain setting and demands of a mountain route.

The regulations set different age requirements for each option. Participants in the Trail and Express races must be older than 14; anyone under 18 must provide parental or guardian permission. Children under 14 may take part in the walk and, under the organizer’s stated conditions, in the Express if accompanied throughout by a parent or legal guardian. Age requirements and permission forms should be checked before registration is completed.

Entry fees and registration opening

The organizer says registration will open on Nov. 2, 2026, with places assigned in registration order. The regulations set caps of 250 participants for the Trail, 300 for the Express and 250 for the walk, for a planned total of 800. They also state that the organizer may change the number of available places at any time.

During the first price period, which runs through 11:59 p.m. on Nov. 29, 2026, the trail entry costs 26 euros for federated athletes and 29 euros for non-federated runners. Express entries cost 22 and 25 euros, respectively, while the walk costs 12 euros. Registration is not complete until payment has been made, so filling out a form without paying does not guarantee a place.

Fees rise in stages. From Nov. 30, 2026, through Jan. 10, 2027, the Trail costs 29 euros for federated runners and 32 euros for non-federated runners; the Express costs 25 and 28 euros, and the walk costs 13 euros. From Jan. 11 through Feb. 17, Trail fees rise to 32 and 35 euros, Express fees to 28 and 31 euros, and the walk costs 14 euros.

The regulations also allow in-person registration on Saturday, Feb. 20, if places remain. The listed late prices are 40 euros for the Trail, 35 euros for the Express and 15 euros for the walk. Registration will not be available on race day. Because places are limited and fees depend on both the date and federated status, check the current information when registering and do not confuse the cost of one event with another.

The entry fee includes aid stations, a race bag, a sandwich and drinks at the finish, as well as a technical shirt and a commemorative 10th-anniversary gift. The stated exception is the walk: its fee does not include a shirt, although participants can request one during registration. The available information does not specify an additional cost for the shirt, so no unpublished amount should be added to the budget.

Start, finish and bib pickup

All three events start at the moat of Hostalric Castle. The finish is set at the entrance courtyard of the Mina del Bolet, according to the 2027 regulations. Since the locations differ, participants traveling with companions or arranging their return should account for that separation and wait for the organizer’s final logistical instructions.

Bib pickup is scheduled for Saturday afternoon, Feb. 20, and Sunday morning, until one hour before each start. The listed location is Avinguda Fortalesa, in front of the Mare de Déu dels Socors school, about 100 meters from the start. On Sunday, Trail bib pickup runs from 7:30 to 8:45 a.m.; Express pickup runs until 9 a.m., as does pickup for the walk.

Participants must show a government ID or registration receipt to collect a bib. Minors must provide the required permission documents. The organizer says bibs must be worn visibly on the front and that failing to collect one during the designated hours means forfeiting it. Allowing time for pickup is a sensible precaution: it prevents paperwork or queues from interfering with preparations for the start.

The event will provide a bag drop and parking, and changing rooms and showers will be available at the sports pavilion, about 500 meters from the finish. The 2027 information lists these services in the regulations. Since availability can depend on local conditions, it is prudent to check again in pre-race announcements, particularly if restrictions or last-minute changes arise.

A mountain course with paved sections

The official description says the course uses paths, trails, forest tracks and paved roads. The route will be marked with tape and chalk, with some kilometer markers. No final map or detailed description of the locations covered by each event is included in the available information, so it is not possible to state the share of each surface or predict the precise climbs.

A mix of surfaces calls for a flexible approach to the terrain. A wide track may allow a steady pace, while a narrow trail or wet path requires attention to footing and conditions. Paved sections are part of the route, but they do not make this a road race: the long distance retains a mountain-trail profile shaped by its accumulated elevation.

The organizer warns that traffic will not be closed on every track. The regulations also say the course may change in agreement with landowners, the organizer and weather conditions. Published details therefore describe the current plan but do not guarantee that every section will remain unchanged. Race-day markings and official instructions take precedence over any downloaded route or earlier description.

The race will have ambulance support and course controls; one bib-checking point is listed for the 24-kilometer Trail. Anyone who drops out must notify the nearest control point or a member of the organization. The rule serves a practical purpose: the race team needs to know who is still on the course, particularly when it extends through paths and wooded areas.

Winter conditions and sensible gear

Feb. 21 may bring a cold, damp or windy morning to Hostalric, although the actual weather cannot be predicted months in advance. The regulations say bad weather will not automatically prevent the race from taking place, but leave open the possibility of cancellation by the organizer. Rain and dirt can change grip within minutes, so actual trail conditions matter more than a generic forecast.

For an event with 1,300 meters of climbing, shoes and clothing should suit the surface and the day’s conditions, not just the distance. A trail shoe with an appropriate outsole may provide better grip on wet paths than a road shoe; a lightweight windproof layer can help in exposed areas. No mandatory gear list has been published, so these are general considerations, not official race requirements.

It also makes sense to match effort to the expected duration. A runner approaching the four-hour limit will need to manage pace and fueling more carefully than in a short race, but the supplied information does not describe a self-sufficiency policy or list the products at each aid station. Participants should not assume that a specific product will be available; operational details for the aid stations should be checked when published.

The organizer asks participants to respect the surroundings, stay within marked boundaries and leave no litter. The rules allow disqualification for environmental violations or unsporting conduct. In a race that crosses paths and natural areas, following the markings and carrying out waste are part of course safety and care, as well as explicit requirements of the event.

Rules, safety and results

The Trail and Express races will be timed using a chip provided by the organizer. Personal yellow chips will not be accepted. The official bib is required for both runners and walkers and must remain visible. According to the regulations, entry fees will not be refunded if a participant’s absence is due to circumstances that are not the organizer’s responsibility.

The event is also part of the Trail Running Series under the control of the Federació Catalana d’Atletisme. Anyone seeking to qualify for that ranking must hold a federation license for the relevant season and provide the license number and club name exactly as listed on it. The regulations say the race may be considered for the Catalan trail-running team, though the series’ complete criteria are set out in its own rules.

Awards will go to the top three men and top three women in the overall Trail and Express rankings, along with recognition for the veteran categories described in the rules. Awards are not cumulative: a runner who receives an overall award will not also receive one in their category. The organizer also announces a 200-euro prize for the team that finishes with the most participants across both races, with tie-break rules based on its runners’ results.

Participants must report any accident they witness and notify the organization if they drop out. The regulations also say runners must be prepared for their chosen event and have sports insurance through the organizer or a federation, under the stated conditions. These obligations do not replace individual judgment: pace should match personal ability and the terrain.

What to confirm before traveling to Hostalric

The published date, distances, start times and fees are enough to begin planning, but several details should be checked before traveling. These include whether registration has opened, whether places remain, any course changes and final instructions for bib pickup and event services. The regulations allow the organizer to change both the number of places and the route, so last-minute information may add to or alter the announced program.

Hostalric is in Girona province, and the start and finish are near the castle and Mina del Bolet. The information provided does not give full postal addresses for those locations or details on public transit, specific parking areas or accommodation. It is better not to assume those details: arrange travel using verified information and remember that the start and finish are not in the same place.

The February date also makes it sensible to plan warm clothing for before and after the race, without treating that general advice as a rule requirement. Bib pickup begins at 7:30 a.m., while the long race starts at 9 a.m.; arriving with enough time makes checks easier and reduces last-minute pressure. A government ID or registration receipt is required to collect a bib.

The 2027 edition offers three ways to cover the terrain around Hostalric: a 24-kilometer trail, a 14-kilometer Express and a 10-kilometer walk. The longest combines substantial climbing, varied surfaces and a four-hour cutoff, while the other two provide shorter options with their own characteristics. Differences between a calendar listing and event regulations underline a simple rule for any race: check the date, course and conditions for the specific edition before finalizing plans.