Lodosa prepares for its second trail race: routes and fees

Plan your race pace

The second edition of Lodosa’s mountain race will take place on Saturday, November 14, 2026, with the general start in the Navarre town scheduled for 10 a.m. The programme offers two distances: El Medianil, covering 16 kilometres with 600 metres of elevation gain, and El Ferial, covering 8 kilometres with 250 metres of climbing. Registration is scheduled to remain open until November 8, although it may close earlier if places sell out.

The course runs along paths and trails in the hills surrounding the town, in the Ebro River valley. Published prices are 20 euros for the longer distance and 15 euros for the shorter distance in the first pricing tier; available information indicates a two-euro increase from October 13. The event is organised by Club Atletismo de Lodosa, and registrations are handled through RockTheSport.

An autumn race in the Ebro Valley

Lodosa lies in Navarre beside the Ebro River, in a landscape where market gardens, farm tracks and low hills sit just minutes from the town centre. That setting shapes the race: it is not an alpine event, but neither is the profile completely flat. Short, concentrated climbs call for changes of pace and careful management of the legs, especially on dirt sections.

The 2026 event will be the race’s second edition. In a race of this scale, the experience depends on more than distance: ground conditions, a succession of climbs and November temperatures all matter. Published information sets the general start at 10 a.m., while route details indicate that the shorter event is expected to start at 10:30 a.m. The stagger between starts separates the two races and helps organise runners through the opening kilometres.

Club Atletismo de Lodosa is listed as the organiser, and entries are handled online. The registration page gives a closing time of 11:59 p.m. on November 8, 2026, unless the capacity is reached earlier. One available listing refers to a maximum of 300 participants, divided into 150 per distance; because the limit may be subject to the final regulations, runners should check availability when registering.

El Medianil and El Ferial offer different challenges

El Medianil is the more demanding option: it covers 16 kilometres and 600 metres of elevation gain, with climbing concentrated across several short ascents. It is not an ultra-distance event, but it calls for more than holding a steady pace on dirt. The alternation between climbs and descents requires runners to save energy for the closing stages and avoid surging too early, when their legs still feel fresh.

El Ferial covers 8 kilometres and 250 metres of climbing. Its shorter distance may appeal to people new to trail running or those who prefer a brief race, but the elevation means it is not simply a road race moved onto trails. On a short course, every hill has a greater effect on average pace, with less time to recover afterward. The shorter distance does not remove the demands of the terrain; it concentrates them.

Both events use paths and trails on the hills around Lodosa, with local landmarks including Pico del Águila and the Cascabelera and Juguetona areas. The longer route is also said to include the Avaz ravine. Published route details mention La Cruz and Tres Marías as well. These names suggest rolling terrain, not a prolonged climb to a summit. The challenge appears to lie in linking changes in gradient and maintaining traction on dirt.

Date, start times and location

The race is scheduled for November 14, 2026, in Lodosa, Navarre. The published general start time is 10 a.m. Detailed information for the two events lists El Medianil at that time and El Ferial at 10:30 a.m., so participants should follow the time shown in their confirmation and the organiser’s final instructions.

Route information places the start and finish on Calle Ancha, in front of the town hall. This location in the town centre makes the meeting point easy to find and is close to streets in the old town that runners pass through before heading for the hills. Even so, it is worth checking the location and bib-pickup instructions closer to race day, because logistical details can be updated in the regulations or race communications.

Registration opens at 10 a.m. on September 1, 2026, and is scheduled to close at 11:59 p.m. on November 8. That deadline does not guarantee places will remain available until the final day: the listed capacity suggests each route may be limited to 150 runners. The registration platform showed entries open in the information reviewed. Availability may change if the maximum is reached before the administrative closing date.

Entry fees and registration details

Published prices differ by distance. The first pricing tier lists 20 euros for El Medianil and 15 euros for El Ferial. Another registration listing gives prices of 22 and 17 euros, respectively, and explains that fees rise by two euros from 11:59 p.m. on October 13. The difference therefore reflects separate pricing tiers, rather than necessarily conflicting information.

Registration is managed online through RockTheSport, and the stated deadline is November 8, subject to remaining places. The event listing also refers to race regulations and a parental authorisation form for minors. Because age requirements, the exact contents of the race pack and included services are not described consistently across all available listings, check the current terms in the registration form before paying.

One race listing says the entry fee includes accident and public liability insurance, a runner’s bag and a meal after the event. It also mentions aid stations along the course, although their locations and supplies are not confirmed across all the listings reviewed. These services should therefore be treated as published event information, not as guaranteed features unless they appear in the final regulations. The registration page and regulations should take precedence if details differ.

Terrain, elevation and equipment

The routes combine trails and dirt tracks on the hills near Lodosa. Total elevation gain alone does not define how difficult a course will feel: 600 metres of climbing over 16 kilometres can vary greatly depending on gradient, surface and how the climbs are distributed. Route descriptions point to short, steep ascents, so arriving with practice in pace changes and descents on uneven ground may help. Stability and grip matter as much as speed.

November in Navarre can bring cold, wind or damp ground, although the weather on race day cannot be predicted weeks in advance. The event’s equipment information says a windproof jacket is mandatory in bad weather and that runners may be required to carry a fluid reserve if very high temperatures are forecast. These requirements should be checked in the regulations. For other equipment, trail shoes with a sole suited to dirt and mud are more appropriate than a smooth road-running model. Choose footwear for the actual ground conditions, not just the month’s general forecast.

For the 16-kilometre route, some runners may prefer a light belt or vest to carry water and food, particularly if they are used to managing their own hydration. Requirements for the 8-kilometre event depend on pace, temperature and confirmed aid stations. There is no universal amount that suits everyone: the regulations should clarify whether mandatory equipment applies, and each participant should consider their experience. Breaking in new shoes or clothing on race day adds avoidable uncertainty, especially when mud or chafing is possible.

What each distance demands of runners

El Medianil calls for careful pacing from the opening minutes. On a course with short climbs, pushing too hard early can leave little energy for the closing sections; walking the steepest slopes can also be an effective choice, not a failure to maintain pace. Published information describes a liquid aid station around kilometre 5 and solid food near kilometre 12 for the longer event. Confirm the locations and supplies with the organisers before planning around them.

El Ferial concentrates the effort into fewer kilometres and 250 metres of climbing. Road runners may find a different challenge in the turns, loose dirt and changing foot placement, even if the distance seems manageable. Pace should reflect the surface: on a short climb, shortening the stride and keeping breathing controlled may help, while on a technical descent, balance should come first. Trail speed is not about running at all costs, but about moving confidently where the surface allows.

For either race, the most useful preparation is specific and gradual. Runs on paths, moderate climbs and careful downhill practice can help runners get used to changing surfaces. There is no need to make every training session a full race simulation; familiarity with changing gradients and the ability to pace effort matter more. Anyone with an injury, illness or doubts about their fitness should seek advice from a health professional rather than rely on generic guidance. Fitness and personal experience should guide the choice of distance.

The atmosphere of a small-town race

The anticipated field, with a reported maximum of 300 bibs, points to an event on a smaller scale than major city races. That format can bring runners closer to the landscape and local life: the start is in town, the route passes through streets, then heads onto open paths. Smaller events can be easier to navigate, but that does not remove the need to arrive with time to spare or check instructions. A race close to town keeps a direct connection with its surroundings.

Lodosa is part of the Navarrese Ribera, an area shaped by the Ebro and agricultural activity. The contrast between market gardens and low hills adds visual variety to a route that, according to published details, stays at low altitude and avoids the major climbs of high mountains. For visitors, the town and its available services can matter as much as the course; listings advise bearing in mind that local accommodation is limited and considering nearby towns if necessary.

A meal after the race is listed as one of the entry benefits in one event listing, a detail that could extend the gathering after runners cross the finish line. The time, location and terms of that service should still be confirmed in the edition’s official information. The same applies to bib collection: one listing mentions options on Friday and Saturday morning, but those times are not consistent across all materials. The organiser’s latest communication is the definitive reference for race day.

A short race that reflects the local landscape

The event’s main appeal is its combination of accessible distances with a trail course that demands attention to the ground. The long route covers 16 kilometres with 600 metres of elevation gain; the shorter one covers 8 kilometres and 250 metres. Runners can choose how much climbing and effort they want to take on, while being realistic about their experience. The Ebro Valley offers a trail of hills and paths here, rather than a high-mountain race.

The November date, two start times and tiered fees allow runners to plan well ahead. Published information points to registration opening in September, closing on November 8 and prices rising from 15 to 17 euros for the shorter route and from 20 to 22 euros for the longer one after the October change. As with capacity and included services, details may be updated. The regulations and registration platform should resolve any last-minute discrepancy.

Starting in Lodosa and following trails above the valley, the second edition offers a day of moderate effort, changing terrain and a local atmosphere. The elevation is not extreme, but it is enough to make preparation, footwear and sensible pacing important. Before travelling, runners should confirm start times, the exact start location, participation conditions and mandatory equipment. That leaves the focus where it belongs: on running thoughtfully along the town’s trails and enjoying a landscape that changes pace with every rise.