La Hoya mountain race: date, start times and distances

Plan your race pace

The hamlet of La Hoya, in Lorca, will host a new mountain race on Sunday, November 15, 2026, with starts from its sports pavilion and trail running, hiking and youth categories. The event will also be the final race in the Saycu Valle del Guadalentín League, so its results will decide the circuit’s final standings.

The programme includes distances of 4.5, 11, 14 and 26 kilometres, although start times vary by event. The longest race and the 14-kilometre course start at 8:15 and 8:30 a.m., respectively; there is also an 11-kilometre hike and a short race for younger participants. The date is confirmed, but the information available does not establish the entry fee or final registration deadline.

A mountain event that closes the Saycu League

The race is part of the Saycu Valle del Guadalentín League calendar, a three-event circuit that in 2026 also visits Zarzadilla de Totana and the Sierra de Peñarrubia. La Hoya will bring the season to an end on November 15 and have a particular sporting role: its results will complete the circuit standings and test the consistency of runners who have taken part in earlier events.

The event is associated with APAT Lorca Cumpliendo Sueños, an organisation connected with early intervention services in Lorca. The race is presented as a charity initiative supporting families and early-intervention programmes, a social purpose that accompanies the sporting challenge. That charitable aim is part of the event’s identity, alongside the routes through the natural landscape.

The event is linked to the APAT Lorca sports club and receives support from Lorca City Council. It takes place in the hamlet of La Hoya, within the municipality of Lorca in the Region of Murcia, with the local sports pavilion serving as the start and finish area. This shared venue brings different events together on the same day, although each has its own schedule and distance.

Date, venue and start times

The 2026 edition is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, in La Hoya, Lorca, in the Region of Murcia. The venue is the Pabellón Municipal de Deportes de La Hoya Juan Pérez Jiménez, identified as the start and finish area. The first listed start is for the 26-kilometre event, at 8:15 a.m.

The published schedule spreads the events across the morning. The 14-kilometre race is listed for 8:30 a.m., as is the open 11-kilometre race. The 11-kilometre hike is set to start at 8:45 a.m., while the 4.5-kilometre youth course begins at 9:45 a.m. The programme staggers the starts to accommodate different participants and paces.

These times describe the announced schedule but do not replace the updated race regulations. The 2026 information available does not confirm bib collection times, rules for minors, possible cut-off points or other operational details. Instructions from older race regulations should not automatically be carried over to this edition, as they may have changed.

Distances for running, walking and family participation

The programme offers four race distances: 4.5, 11, 14 and 26 kilometres. The long course, called the Extreme event in information from previous editions, is the most demanding by distance; the 14-kilometre route offers a shorter alternative, while the open 11-kilometre event gives runners a more manageable trail challenge. Distance alone does not determine difficulty: elevation gain and terrain matter too.

The day also includes an 11-kilometre hike and a 4.5-kilometre youth race, described in the reference information as a mini trail for children and young participants. The hike offers a non-racing way to take part, while the shorter course opens the event to younger athletes. Exact age limits, required permissions and rules on adult supervision should be checked in the 2026 regulations before registering.

Previous editions also advertised mixed-pair options for some routes, but the information available does not confirm whether they will return in 2026. It is therefore important to distinguish distances listed for the next edition from formats included in earlier regulations. The confirmed 2026 programme includes running, hiking and a youth category; other formats cannot be taken for granted.

The Sierra de Tercia as a mountain backdrop

The race’s sporting appeal is rooted in the surroundings of the Sierra de Tercia. Organiser information describes a route that reaches Alto de la Manilla and crosses Parque de la Salud, placing the course beyond the urban area. Mountain races often shift between paths, climbs and more open stretches, although the detailed 2026 route has not been specified here.

The 26-kilometre distance suggests a lengthy day, but the actual effort also depends on elevation gain, trail surface, weather and pace. The same distance can feel very different on a firm track or an uneven climb. Without official elevation figures or an updated map, it is not possible to make a reliable comparison of this year’s courses.

The start at the pavilion brings participants together before the different events spread out into the surrounding area. In November, conditions can change during the morning, so suitable clothing and footwear depend on the forecast and official guidance. Course markings and checkpoints should also be checked in the current race information rather than inferred from previous editions.

Registration, fees and details still to be confirmed

The reference information confirms the date and distances but does not establish an official 2026 entry fee or say that registration is open. Some figures found in regulations from other editions belong to earlier events and should not be treated as current prices. Registration deadlines published for previous years are likewise not enough to establish the cut-off date for this edition.

Information released about the Saycu League says technical details, circuit regulations and registration information would be published later. Participants should wait for the event-specific conditions to learn the fee, registration process, included services and applicable rules. In particular, any details about insurance, aid stations, mandatory equipment or refunds require explicit confirmation for 2026.

The name of an event or its distance does not reveal its cost. Fees may vary by race, age, registration date or whether the participant chooses running or hiking. For now, the entry fee and registration period should be considered unpublished; presenting old figures as current would mislead people planning to take part.

A charity race in Lorca

The association with APAT Lorca Cumpliendo Sueños sets this event apart from a competition focused solely on the clock. The organisation works in early intervention, and the race is presented as a charity initiative supporting families connected with that work. According to information published about the circuit, proceeds are linked to support for early-intervention programmes.

This social purpose sits alongside a sporting programme for different paces: from those tackling the long route to participants choosing to hike or take part in the youth event. The range of formats can bring runners, hikers and families together in one place. The race is both a sporting and community gathering, with La Hoya’s surroundings providing a shared setting.

Institutional and local support helps the event take place in the municipality of Lorca, but the available information does not detail the specific services planned for this edition. Medical support, changing facilities or post-race activities should only be considered confirmed once they appear in the updated regulations. Distinguishing announced details from information carried over from previous years makes the event easier to understand accurately.

What to check before choosing a route

Choosing between 4.5, 11, 14 or 26 kilometres should depend on recent mountain-running experience and how long a participant can sustain effort on uneven terrain. The 26-kilometre route is the longest option, but without elevation or course-profile data its technical demands cannot be described precisely. A route map and elevation gain matter as much as the kilometres when assessing effort.

Hikers should check the specific rules for that event, including age limits and whether there are requirements for minors. The same applies to the 4.5-kilometre youth race: the mini-trail label does not replace official information about categories, supervision or permissions. The 2026 regulations will be the reference for these details.

It is also useful to check recommended equipment, aid stations, cut-off times and withdrawal procedures. These details affect safety and planning, particularly on mountain routes. Rules from previous editions should not be assumed to remain in force without updated regulations, even if the venue and some distances are the same.

La Hoya, the season’s final trail stop

The calendar places La Hoya as the third and final event in the 2026 Saycu Valle del Guadalentín League, following Zarzadilla de Totana, scheduled for June 7, and Peñarrubia Lorca Trail CXM, planned for September 13. The November race will close the circuit and determine its final standings. Its significance extends beyond a single race: it is the culmination of a season shared by three locations in Lorca.

The mix of trail running, hiking and a youth event broadens the day’s appeal, while the Sierra de Tercia route gives it a mountain character. The November 15 date and the start at La Hoya sports pavilion are confirmed; the event information also gives start times and distances. By contrast, fees, registration status and other technical details need official updates.

With those distinctions in mind, the event is shaping up as a meeting where landscape, competition and charitable purpose share the spotlight. The long route will test endurance, while shorter options and the hike offer different ways to join the day. The 2026 edition will be both the sporting finale to the League and a local event connected with early intervention.