The mountain challenge returning to Petrer in January 2027

Plan your race pace

On Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027, Petrer will once again become the starting point for a long-distance mountain challenge. The fourth edition of ElCid TrailXtrem covers 67 kilometres and 3,375 metres of positive elevation gain, with a scheduled start at 5 a.m. Participants can tackle it individually or as a pair in the relay format. Published individual entry fees start at 75 euros, before administrative charges.

The route runs through the Sierra del Cid and Maigmó mountain ranges, following a loop that combines different types of terrain and crosses 17 mountains, according to information published about the race. Some listings round the distance up to almost 70 kilometres, but the entry platform and distance database list it as 67. That difference matters when comparing course profiles, times or race records.

An ultra that tests more than distance

The kilometre count gives an initial measure of the challenge, but it does not tell the whole story. With more than 3,000 metres of accumulated climbing, the route involves hours of ascents and descents, effort management and adapting to changing surfaces. Positive elevation gain is key to understanding why this is presented as a mountain ultra, rather than a long race over uniform terrain.

Available information describes a circular course through the Sierra del Cid and Maigmó, with ridge sections and views towards other mountains in Alicante. On clear days, the horizon may open towards ranges such as Aitana, Font Roja and Mariola, although visibility will depend on the weather. The scenery is part of the experience, but the mountain character of the route also calls for attention to the terrain and changes in pace.

The reference to 17 mountains suggests a succession of summits and cols, rather than one climb followed by a long descent. The information available here is not detailed enough to establish the exact length of each section or the elevation of every climb. General figures help convey the scale of the race, while the official rules and course profile will be the right sources for precise route details.

Date, start time and setting in Petrer

The race is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2027, at 5 a.m., in Petrer, a municipality in Alicante province. The early start sets the tone for a long day: runners will begin in darkness and need to carry whatever lighting equipment the organisers require. The time appears in the registration listing for this edition.

A January race brings the usual winter variables in the mountains. Temperatures can change with altitude, exposure and time of day, while wind may be stronger on exposed slopes and ridges. There is no reliable weather forecast this far in advance; historical climate figures, where available, describe averages rather than predicting conditions on race day. Equipment choices should reflect the forecast closer to the event and the requirements in the rules.

The reference information identifies Petrer as the host town, but does not provide the exact start or finish address. Nor does knowing that the route is circular reveal the course of each section. The start location, bib collection, and access points for spectators should be confirmed in the organisers’ official information before travelling.

Distance and format: running solo or sharing the challenge

The individual category is designed for participants to complete the route on foot, in trail running or hiking format, according to the published registration categories. The combination of a distance above 60 kilometres and substantial climbing makes time on course a decisive factor: average speed can vary greatly between tracks, technical trails, steep slopes and ridge sections. The profile calls for endurance and effort management, not simply a target pace.

The relay option is organised for pairs. It offers a way to share the event, although the available information does not specify changeover points, the number of relay legs or the length of each section. Those details should not be assumed: relay participants need to consult the rules and race instructions to learn how the route is divided and what conditions apply to each team member.

The hiking category makes the course available to people who want to cover it without treating it as a race at running pace. That does not remove the demands of the route: the distance and climbing remain, and the organisers’ start time and cut-offs will be important. Before registering, participants should check which categories are available and whether they share the same route, checkpoints and equipment requirements.

The event’s biennial schedule is another notable feature. In years without the main edition, the organisers announce activities on specific sections of the trails, including the Cid and Castellarets sector. The 2027 event is the fourth edition, while those interim events offer a chance to explore parts of the area at other times without confusing them with the full ultra.

Registration and published entry fees

The published registration period opens on July 13, 2026, and closes on Jan. 13, 2027, at 11:59 p.m., unless the organisers announce a change in availability. For the individual trail or hiking category, the fee is 75 euros through Dec. 15, 2026, rising to 80 euros from that date until the scheduled close. The listed prices include taxes but exclude administrative charges.

For the pairs relay category, the listing shows a fee of 58.50 euros through Dec. 15 and 70 euros through Jan. 13. The available excerpt does not clarify whether that amount is for the whole team or each participant, so the final charge should be confirmed during registration. Administrative costs may also appear separately in the payment process.

Discounts are also listed for individual group entries. Groups of five to nine pay 70 euros through Dec. 15 and 75 euros through Jan. 13. Groups of more than 10 are listed at 69 and 74 euros for the same periods. Fees depend on category, group size and registration date; the registration page is the place to check the applicable terms and final amount.

The platform provides options for queries about payments, changes of participant, withdrawals, refunds, personal details, bibs and results issues. The availability of those options does not mean every request will automatically be accepted: deadlines and requirements depend on the rules. Before paying, it is sensible to review cancellation terms, included coverage and the documents required to take part.

Rules, safety and equipment

For a mountain race of this kind, the rules are more than a formality. They set out categories, schedules, checkpoints, penalties, course-use rules and mandatory equipment. The available information says rules for this edition will be published, but the reference material does not specify exactly what runners must carry.

For that reason, it would be misleading to present a generic equipment checklist as the official requirement. Lighting may be needed for a 5 a.m. start, and winter conditions make layers and cold-weather protection worth considering; however, every compulsory item must be checked against the race document. The distinction between personal advice and a participation requirement matters, particularly if failing to comply can lead to a penalty.

Planning food, hydration and pace is also important given the difficulty, but the information provided does not specify aid stations, cut-off times or outside assistance. Those details cannot be inferred from distance alone. Checking the latest rules and full course profile will show where the checkpoints are, what services are available and how to respond to an incident in the mountains.

The terrain may alternate between trails, tracks and more exposed sections, according to the general race description. That variety calls for concentration as fatigue builds: a surface that seems straightforward at the start may demand more attention after several hours. Mountain experience helps, but it does not replace safety instructions or the organisers’ decisions if conditions require a course change.

The landscape of the Sierra del Cid and Maigmó

The setting is one of the defining features of the race. The route links elevations in inland Alicante and offers views across a Mediterranean mountain landscape, with changes in relief giving each section a different perspective. Ridge sections and wide views are part of the appeal, but they are also places where wind and exposure can affect perceived temperature and progress.

Participants from previous editions have described the route as especially appealing to people who enjoy mountain trails. That assessment is subjective, but it fits the distance and elevation figures: this is not a circuit designed for a steady cadence, but a day in which the terrain sets the pace. Views from the higher sections may reward the effort; on technical stretches, careful progress becomes the priority.

The event is also part of Petrer’s sporting life, with the town serving as a base for a major endurance challenge in its natural surroundings. The biennial format and specific trail activities in other years keep the connection with local paths alive beyond race day. Those shorter events, however, should not be confused with the full course of the main edition.

What to confirm before travelling

The distance, elevation, date, start time and fees give a clear picture of the challenge, but do not answer every practical question. The exact start address, bib collection, parking, cut-off schedules and relay changeover locations are not included in the information provided. These details should be confirmed with the organisers before planning travel or coordinating a team entry.

It is also worth checking for changes to the course, fees or registration dates. The listing sets the closing date as Jan. 13, 2027, three days before the race, but availability may change if places sell out or terms are updated. An expected registration window does not guarantee a place until the registration process is complete.

Visitors from outside Petrer will need to account for the early start and the time required to reach the meeting point. Without a confirmed address, it is not possible to estimate local travel times or the proximity of services accurately. Checking logistical information in advance avoids relying on incomplete details on a morning that begins in darkness.

A challenge that puts the mountains back in the foreground

The fourth edition brings together the elements of a demanding ultra: 67 kilometres, 3,375 metres of climbing, a pre-dawn start and a mountain route around Petrer. Individual entry, relay participation and hiking offer different ways to experience the same landscape, while retaining the demands of the distance and terrain. Difficulty is not measured in kilometres alone, but in the combination of climbing, hours on course and changing conditions.

With Jan. 16, 2027, on the calendar, the race once again highlights the Sierra del Cid and Maigmó and the tradition of a biennial event. The figures convey its scale; the rules and logistical details will complete the picture when available. For those who take the start, the challenge will be to move through the mountains with care and let the terrain set the pace.