Alpedrete prepares for its cross duathlon on March 21, 2027

Plan your race pace

The cross duathlon in Alpedrete returns on Sunday, March 21, 2027, with the start scheduled for 11 a.m. on Calle Puerta de Abajo, near the industrial estate. The event combines two running legs with a mountain-bike segment and is open to both licensed and unlicensed athletes. Participation is capped at 350.

The announced distance comprises 4,600 meters on foot, 15 kilometers on a mountain bike and a final 2,300-meter run. The event also includes morning bib pickup, prizes for leading finishers and the traditional post-race migas meal. These details give a clear picture of the event, although the detailed course should be confirmed by organizers as the date approaches.

Date, start and key details

The event is set for March 21, 2027, in Alpedrete, a town in the Sierra de Madrid. The start and finish are on Calle Puerta de Abajo, No. 1, near the industrial estate. The race is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., while race headquarters for bib pickup will be open from 9 to 10:30 a.m. in the transition area.

Transition-area access is scheduled to open at 10 a.m. That window allows athletes to set up their bikes and transition equipment before the competition begins; it should not be confused with bib pickup, which ends half an hour before the start. The awards ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., after the race.

Both licensed and unlicensed athletes can participate, with a maximum field of 350. That figure helps define the scale of the event: it is a popular race with a participant limit and logistics centered around the start area. The available information does not specify cutoff times or minimum ages, so those requirements should be checked in the edition’s regulations.

Three legs combining running and mountain biking

The planned course follows the classic duathlon format: a first running leg, then mountain biking, followed by a second run. The announced distances are 4.6 kilometers, 15 kilometers and 2.3 kilometers, respectively. Together, the legs add up to 21.9 kilometers, although that total alone does not convey the effort involved, since switching disciplines requires athletes to manage pace and transitions.

The cycling leg accounts for most of the distance. Because it is a mountain-bike cross event, the terrain may require more attention than a paved road, but the available 2027 information does not describe the gradients, surface, elevation gain or technical sections. Previous editions have announced course changes, so it would be unwise to assume that an earlier route will be repeated without alterations.

The opening run begins at a controlled effort; the cycling leg changes the muscular workload and demands focus on the bike, while the final 2.3 kilometers test an athlete’s ability to run again on tired legs. Transitions are part of the competition: arranging equipment in advance and knowing the assigned space can help prevent lost time and confusion in the transition area.

Registration, fees and field limit

The announced fees vary between licensed and unlicensed participants. During the promotional period, Jan. 1-31, the fee is 28 euros for licensed athletes and 34 euros for unlicensed athletes. According to the information provided for this event, those same prices apply during the standard period, from Feb. 1 to March 1.

For the final-dorsal phase, March 2-18, the price rises to 33 euros for licensed athletes and 39 euros for unlicensed athletes. Alpedrete residents are eligible for a 5-euro discount. Since the field is capped at 350, registration could close earlier if all places are filled; the registration calendar and availability should be checked through the event’s official channel.

The reference information says that people who register but do not take part are not entitled to a refund, whatever the reason. Before paying, it is useful to review the full terms, required documentation and rules for changes or withdrawals. Participants should also make sure that their chosen category matches their age and license status, as those details can affect the results classification.

Planning race morning

Bib pickup takes place from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at race headquarters beside the transition area. Arriving with time to spare allows athletes to collect their number, locate the transition zone and leave their bike and equipment there. Transition access starts at 10 a.m., while the start is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Calle Puerta de Abajo.

It is important to plan for a course that combines running and mountain biking. A bike, helmet and suitable footwear for each leg are basic preparation, but the regulations determine technical requirements and riding rules. Published information does not detail course markings, aid stations or terrain characteristics, so athletes should not assume those elements will be identical to a previous edition.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. That time is a useful guide for planning the morning and onward travel, but the actual duration will depend on how the event unfolds. The event states that participants who register but do not start are not entitled to a refund, a condition worth considering when planning travel, accommodation or family commitments.

A long-standing fixture on Madrid’s calendar

Alpedrete’s popular duathlon was first held in 1993, according to the historical information available, and is described as the longest-running cross duathlon in the Community of Madrid. Its continuity sets it apart from a newly added event: over the years, it has retained a popular character and brought athletes of different levels together around a discipline combining running and cycling.

The town’s surroundings offer a setting different from an urban competition. Alpedrete has dehesa woodland, scrubland, hills, streams and former quarries, landscapes that are part of the Sierra de Madrid’s identity. This natural variety helps explain the appeal of a cross event, although the specific 2027 route is not described in enough detail to identify a particular section or guarantee which surfaces will feature in each leg.

The event’s history is also tied to its scale: a popular race does not need a large stadium to build an identity. Its course, the presence of licensed and unlicensed athletes, and the gathering at the end of the day have maintained its place on the local calendar. Tradition is central to the event, but it does not replace the practical details each edition must confirm about the course, rules and services.

Prizes and a traditional meal after the race

The women’s and men’s overall standings include cash prizes for the top three finishers. First place receives 90 euros, second place 60 euros and third place 30 euros. Trophies are also announced for the top three finishers in each category, for both men and women, according to the categories set for the event.

The day also includes a popular meal for participants: migas del cantero served with grapes and chorizo. The meal is part of the event’s tradition and provides a chance to gather after the three race legs. According to the information provided, accompanying guests can buy an additional meal ticket during registration.

The prizes and meal add a social dimension to a competition that is about more than covering the distance. For many participants, the experience includes the wait in transition, the change of pace between disciplines and the shared atmosphere at the finish. Still, the specific terms for guest tickets and any meal updates should be checked during registration, as the event may clarify those details.

What to confirm before competing

The date, schedule, address and main distances have been announced, but some important elements are not specified in the available information: elevation gain, exact surface type, cutoff times, aid stations and the complete technical regulations. Those details may affect preparation and logistics, particularly in a race that includes mountain biking and changes of discipline.

The final course also deserves attention. The 2025 edition introduced new routes, but that does not establish that the 2027 course will be the same or retain all of its characteristics. Participants should use information specific to the 2027 edition rather than automatically carrying over earlier distances, checkpoints or conditions.

Equipment choices depend on the terrain and the rules published by the organizers. A mountain bike suited to the course and a helmet that meets the rules are foreseeable requirements in a mountain-bike event, but mandatory details should come from the regulations, not generic advice. The same applies to clothing, footwear and bike transport: the most reliable planning starts with the official information for the edition.

A popular event with a distinctive local character

The 2027 event brings together the elements that have historically defined the race: a cross format, distance split between running and mountain biking, open participation for licensed and unlicensed athletes, and a limit of 350 entries. The 11 a.m. start and bib pickup from 9 a.m. shape a busy morning, while the awards and migas extend the gathering beyond the finish line.

For prospective participants, the key point is the balance between the three legs and the information still pending about the specific route. The announced total is 21.9 kilometers, with a 15-kilometer cycling leg making up the longest section. Fees range from 28 to 39 euros depending on the registration date and license status, with a discount for Alpedrete residents.

Alpedrete will host another edition of an event with more than three decades of history, in a format that tests the ability to switch between running and cycling while retaining its local character. The confirmed date is March 21, 2027; the remaining technical details will need to be specified in official information. Tradition provides the context, but each edition is defined by its own course and regulations.