CxM de la Rosquilla 2026: date, distances and start in Almería

Plan your race pace

Alhama de Almería will host a new edition of its mountain race on Nov. 8, 2026, with the start scheduled for 9 a.m. from Plaza de España. The event offers two options: a 25-kilometer long course and an 11.7-kilometer route, giving runners a choice of different levels of challenge for a day on the trails.

The available information confirms the date, starting point and distances, but does not yet specify the 2026 route, total elevation gain or entry fee. That distinction matters: distance helps runners choose a category, but it is not enough to assess the difficulty of a mountain race, where elevation, terrain and the pattern of the climbs can completely change the effort required.

Confirmed date, start and race details

The race is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, in Alhama de Almería, a municipality in Almería province. The start is at Plaza de España, a central landmark for reaching the event, finding your bearings and organizing the morning. The published event window runs from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., although the stated race start time is 9 a.m.

For now, these are the firm logistical details available for planning the trip. No more specific address than the plaza has been given, and there is no confirmed information about bib pickup, parking, public transport or services for spectators. It is best not to assume those details and to check them when information for this edition is released, especially when travelling from outside the municipality.

No entry fee or registration deadline has been published either. The available listing confirms that the event has a date, but that does not mean registration is open or places remain. Before making travel arrangements, distinguish between a confirmed date and published participation conditions: they are different details and may be updated at different times.

Two routes for different types of runner

The long course is 25 kilometers, a distance that usually calls for a solid fitness base and experience on off-road routes. In the mountains, distance has to be considered alongside elevation and terrain: a route with steep slopes, loose rocks or narrow trails can take more time and concentration than a longer course on smooth tracks. Those details have not yet been released for this edition.

The shorter option is 11.7 kilometers. Its reduced distance may appeal to runners looking for a shorter day or taking their first steps in mountain racing, but it should not automatically be considered easy. The steepness of the climbs, the surface and the possibility of walking uphill determine much of the challenge; without an official elevation profile, it is not possible to make a precise comparison between the two routes.

The two formats can bring together runners with different aims: completing a first trail race, enjoying the surroundings or taking on a longer challenge. The most sensible choice depends on recent training, not just a personal best on the road. Mountain pace adapts to the terrain, and a familiar distance can feel very different when elevation or frequent surface changes are involved.

Alhama de Almería as the meeting point

The start at Plaza de España places the beginning of the day in the center of Alhama de Almería. For visitors, the municipality and plaza provide a clear reference, although they do not resolve every logistical question. The time needed to park, collect a bib or reach the start area will depend on the instructions the organizers publish for this edition.

Alhama de Almería lies in a provincial setting where the landscape can quickly shift between built-up areas, paths and mountainous terrain. That location means a mountain race can offer an experience very different from an urban event, but it does not reveal the specific 2026 route. Until an official map is released, detailed descriptions of trails, elevations or checkpoints would be speculation.

The plaza is also the most practical landmark for family members and spectators to find the start. Even so, it has not been confirmed whether the finish will be in the same place, whether roads will be closed or which areas will be open to the public. For now, the reliable detail is the start at Plaza de España; the rest of the event layout remains subject to official information.

What is known about the route and what remains unclear

The published 2026 details identify two distances but do not include an elevation profile, positive elevation gain, GPS tracks or a description of the terrain. It is therefore not possible to say whether the 25-kilometer route includes a long climb, several steep rises, technical sections or runnable tracks. Nor can finish times be reliably estimated from distance alone. The elevation profile will be essential for assessing the actual challenge of each course.

A personal account from a previous edition describes a long race with a steep early climb, trails through pine trees, fast descents and a section known as Barranco de los Cazadores. The account also mentions a distance of about 23 kilometers that year. It is a useful historical reference for imagining the event’s mountain character, but it does not confirm that the 2026 course will follow the same route or retain those features.

The same account describes how the slope and water management affected the runner’s effort, ending with fatigue and a feeling of dehydration. This is one participant’s experience, not medical guidance or a forecast for 2026. Its value is as a reminder that in mountain races, strategy should respond to actual conditions and that heat, pace and hydration can matter as much as distance.

How to assess the longer route before choosing it

A 25-kilometer race may involve several hours of activity, depending on elevation, surface and individual pace. Training based only on flat-road mileage may not be enough if the route includes sustained climbs or technical descents. Until the profile is known, a useful reference is to assess recent trail experience and the ability to maintain a steady effort, rather than focusing on a single road-race time.

Mountain running rewards early restraint. On steep climbs, walking steadily may be more effective than running at a pace that pushes effort too high; on descents, speed should match stability and visibility. Saving energy for the second half is often wiser than trying to make up time in the first few kilometers, particularly when the course is unfamiliar.

It also helps to train on varied surfaces, with changes in slope and uneven footing, always increasing the challenge gradually. Leg and core strength support control when the ground becomes rough, while downhill technique can reduce abrupt movements and unstable steps. Every run does not need to be hard: consistency and gradual adaptation matter more than one demanding long session before race day.

The shorter distance still calls for preparation

The 11.7-kilometer option may seem accessible because of its length, but elevation could change that impression. A short race with steep climbs can concentrate the effort into a brief period and demand careful pacing. For a first trail experience, it makes sense to train beforehand on paths and trails and see how the body responds to both climbs and descents.

The aim of a first race does not have to be running every meter. In the mountains, alternating running and walking is normal, especially when the slope increases or the surface becomes uneven. Choosing a sustainable pace from the start can make the route more enjoyable and reduce the risk of reaching the final section with exhausted legs.

The distance can also suit road runners looking to try a race outside the city. The main difference is not just the scenery: changes in footing, turns and elevation require runners to look farther ahead and adapt their stride. Trail shoes with grip suited to the expected terrain can provide stability, but the final choice should wait until the specific course surface is known.

Equipment, hydration and mountain safety

Until the regulations or technical details are published, it is not known whether the organizers will require mandatory equipment or how many aid stations there will be. Runners should not assume water will be available at specific points or that a minimal kit will be sufficient. Official race information should clarify the rules; in the meantime, each runner can consider their autonomy based on expected duration and individual needs.

Footwear should match the terrain, not just the label on the shoe. A lugged sole can help on dirt or trails, but grip and stability also depend on rock, mud and slope. November weather can vary, so lightweight, breathable layers make it easier to adjust clothing during the race. A forecast close to race day will be more reliable than assumptions made months in advance.

During prolonged efforts, drinking regularly instead of waiting until thirst becomes intense is a reasonable general practice, although the right amount depends on the person, pace and conditions. It is also important not to try gels, drinks or clothing for the first time on race day. If the route includes isolated sections, knowing the course and safety instructions will be essential: personal autonomy does not replace the organizers’ guidance.

Registration and details still to come

The reference information does not state the entry fee, registration platform, number of places, age categories or included services. It also does not confirm whether a children’s race or walking option will be offered in 2026. Details from earlier editions should not be carried over automatically, since formats, fees and conditions can change from year to year. For now, these points remain unconfirmed.

An account from a previous edition mentions children’s activities and a childcare service, and comments on the cost of children’s entries. That testimony describes one specific year and does not establish that those services are planned for 2026. For families, the distinction matters: a children’s race or childcare provision should be explicitly confirmed before arranging a trip.

Once the conditions are published, it will be useful to check what the entry includes, how bibs are collected, what documents are required and whether there are cutoff times. Runners should also check whether insurance is included or a federation license is required. A complete race listing prevents past practices from being mistaken for current rules and allows runners to plan with up-to-date information.

An autumn date for a mountain run

The Nov. 8 date places the race in mid-autumn, when daylight hours, temperature and trail conditions can shape the experience. Without a near-term forecast or route details, it is not possible to predict whether race day will be cold, dry or rainy. The sensible approach is to check conditions a few days beforehand and bring clothing that can handle changes through the morning.

The event offers a long and a shorter option, but its appeal is not measured in kilometers alone. In a mountain race, every trail and slope changes the way runners move; pace is negotiated with the landscape rather than the clock. On Nov. 8, Alhama de Almería will be the starting point for a day whose final profile, registration details and technical features still need to be confirmed by the organizers.

With the date and start location established, the next decisive detail will be the official route. Its publication will allow runners to compare both options, assess the effort and choose suitable equipment without confusing accounts of previous editions with the current course. Until then, the confirmed information is clear: 25 or 11.7 kilometers, a 9 a.m. start at Plaza de España and an event scheduled for November 2026.