La Degollada trail returns to Candamo on December 5

Plan your race pace

The fourth edition of the La Degollada trail will take place on December 5, 2026, in Candamo, Asturias. The start is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the La Degollada Recreation Area, which will also host the finish. The main race covers 14 kilometres with 850 metres of elevation gain, a mountain format that packs in demanding climbs without the duration of an ultra-distance event.

The event is confirmed and, according to the published race information, participants will have a maximum of three hours to complete the course. Organisers plan to limit the field to 150 people, and a non-competitive walking option has also been announced. The entry fee and other details that may change should be checked through official channels, as they cannot be reliably confirmed from the information available here.

A mountain event in the municipality of Candamo

The race takes its name from La Degollada, a recreation area in the Asturian municipality of Candamo. In December, the landscape of this inland area provides a setting unlike that of an urban race: dirt paths, elevation changes and a natural environment that shapes both pace and focus. The terrain is part of the experience, not merely a backdrop for runners.

The event reaches its fourth edition in 2026 and is organised by Asturias Sport&Nature in collaboration with Candamo Town Council, according to the reference information. That partnership places the race on the local calendar and involves coordinating the course, start and finish in a shared natural setting. The instruction to respect the surroundings is particularly relevant for an event that runs through non-urban areas.

Candamo is in Asturias, but the race description does not identify every section with a specific landscape or guarantee what views will appear along the route. What is confirmed is its trail-running nature and its passage through natural areas in the municipality. The location and published profile are enough to distinguish it from a road race, although the detailed terrain should be checked in the race information released by the organisers.

Date, start time and location

The event is scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2026. The announced start time is 10 a.m., and the La Degollada Recreation Area will serve as both the start and finish. These details offer a clear reference for planning the journey, although it is sensible to check for later updates in case the schedule or logistical instructions change.

The La Degollada Recreation Area will be the hub of the race, bringing together activity before the start and welcoming runners at the finish. The information consulted also mentions Grullos as a geographical reference within the municipality, but the more specific details about the start and finish point to the recreation area. It is important to distinguish the municipality and its localities from the exact event venue to avoid confusing the general location with the meeting point.

The organisers have set a three-hour limit for completing the competitive course. That gives a sense of the event’s format, but it is not a substitute for the regulations, which should explain participation conditions, checkpoints and any rules that apply during the race. No separate course-closing time or official split-time schedule has been provided, so those details should not be inferred.

A 14-kilometre route with 850 metres of climbing

The competitive event is listed at 14 kilometres, with 850 metres of positive elevation gain. In practical terms, the distance alone is not especially long, but the climbing adds a level of effort that the mileage does not show. Ascents can break up a runner’s rhythm, while descents require control and attention. Total elevation matters as much as distance when assessing the effort involved.

Organisers describe a new course through natural areas of the municipality and say it will be marked. There is not enough information here to detail the map, aid stations, distribution of climbs or surface on each section. The 850-metre figure should therefore be treated as an overall statistic, not a complete description of the difficulty. The official course will be the reference for understanding those details.

The event is presented as a compact mountain race, but that does not mean it will be easy for every runner. A steep climb may prompt even experienced athletes to walk, and uneven ground can slow progress. Preparation should account for elevation and surface as well as distance; an average pace calculated for a flat race offers little guidance on its own.

There will also be a walking option

The available information includes a non-competitive alternative for people who would rather complete the route on foot. This option allows participants to join the event without treating it as a timed competition, although its specific conditions, separate distance and start time have not been published here. These details should be confirmed in the entry information before making plans.

Taking part in a mountain event on foot also means respecting the route, instructions and environment. The walking option should not be mistaken for a second official race with an independent distance: published information describes it as a walking activity linked to the event. Details for this option may differ from those for the competitive race, so it is worth checking which services and requirements apply to each entry.

The option broadens the range of people who can take part and offers another way to experience the paths around Candamo. Still, there is no basis for assuming that both formats follow exactly the same route or have identical conditions. Practical details can vary between activities at mountain events, and the official information is what can resolve those differences precisely.

Entries, places and organisers

Reference information sets the participant limit at 150 people. That is a small field compared with major road races, although the figure alone does not show how many places remain. The event is confirmed, but no verifiable entry fee or explicit link to the official registration platform has been provided; its appearance on a calendar does not by itself mean that registration is open.

One competitor source says the expected entry period runs from June 26 to December 1, 2026. Since no direct official source or fee is provided, those dates should be treated cautiously and checked before making decisions. The race date is confirmed; the price and availability of places are not reliably established here. Registration could close earlier if the limit is reached, depending on the conditions set by the organisers.

The race is organised by Asturias Sport&Nature in collaboration with Candamo Town Council, according to the information consulted. The course is also expected to be marked, with volunteer support. An ambulance and medical staff are planned for the start and finish area. These arrangements are part of the published safety information, but the full regulations should clarify their scope and provide instructions for participants.

Winter adds variables to trail running

The calendar places the event in early December, a time of year when weather conditions can change quickly in Asturias. Rain, cold or mud are reasonable possibilities for a winter mountain race, but they are not a confirmed forecast for race day. A reliable forecast will only be available closer to the event, and even then it may change. The season helps guide preparation but cannot predict the exact weather.

On a course with elevation, cold can feel more noticeable when pace slows on climbs or during a stop, while moisture affects shoe grip on dirt and grass. Footwear should be chosen based on the terrain described in the final course information, not on a generic recommendation. A shoe with suitable traction may help on soft surfaces, but the right tread depends on the actual ground conditions.

Layering makes it easier to adapt to changes in effort and temperature than relying on one thick garment. A windproof or waterproof layer may also be sensible if the rules and the forecast close to race day support it. Safety and comfort depend on matching equipment to real conditions; packing accessories by habit or trusting a distant forecast can be just as impractical as arriving without enough protection.

What to confirm before travelling

The date, municipality, start time, start point and course figures are the most useful details for planning the day. However, information about parking, public transport, changing facilities, aid stations and bib collection has not been provided here. Those services should not be assumed to be included without confirmation. Checking the organisers’ information before travelling helps prevent a general detail from being mistaken for a logistical instruction.

It is also worth reviewing the regulations and full course description when they become available. On a 14-kilometre course with 850 metres of climbing, knowing where the main ascents are and which surface predominates makes it easier to assess the challenge. Planned course markings and volunteer support are useful, but they do not replace the need to follow official instructions and event safety rules.

The difference between the announced start at the La Degollada Recreation Area and references to Grullos as a municipal location shows why it is important to check the exact meeting point. Both names are linked to Candamo in the information consulted, but only the recreation area is explicitly identified as the start and finish. A precise location prevents unnecessary travel, especially on a morning with a set start time.

A small-scale event on the Asturian calendar

With 14 kilometres, 850 metres of climbing and a published limit of 150 participants, the event offers a different scale from major road races. Its appeal lies in combining effort, natural terrain and a distance that brings the experience together in a single morning. The three-hour limit adds a clear timeframe, although each runner will tackle the climbs and ground at a different pace.

The fourth edition also continues a local event returning to the calendar in 2026. Beyond the result or the clock, a mountain race depends on balancing sport with respect for the paths and surroundings that make it possible. The reminder to care for the natural environment is not incidental: the landscape is part of the course and a shared responsibility for organisers and participants alike.

The essential details are established: Candamo will host the event on December 5, with a 10 a.m. start at the La Degollada Recreation Area and a 14-kilometre competitive course. The 850 metres of elevation place the challenge firmly in trail running, while the winter setting and limited field add variables that must be clarified through the regulations and official updates. The mountain sets its own pace, and knowing the confirmed details helps set realistic expectations for the day.