Marató dels Dements 2026: date, route and entry requirements

Plan your race pace

The Marató dels Dements will take place on November 7, 2026, in Eslida, Castellón, following a 42.5-kilometer route through the Serra d’Espadà with 3,808 meters of elevation gain. The start is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. and the finish closes at 6:30 p.m.: eleven hours to complete a race combining extremely steep climbs, ridgelines, scrambling and descents over loose rock.

Entry costs €75, and the regulations set a maximum field of 600 runners. Participants must be at least 18 and provide evidence of recent experience in mountain races meeting the required distance and elevation criteria, or have finished an earlier edition of Dements within the accepted period. The organizers explicitly warn that this is not a beginner race. Its difficulty lies not just in the distance, but in the succession of obstacles.

Club de Muntanya Dements and the municipal councils of Eslida and Aín organize the event, which includes two races over the weekend. Saturday belongs to the marathon; the Mitja Marató dels Dements d’Aín takes place on Sunday, November 8. Although they share the landscape and some of their sporting character, they have different distances, schedules and requirements. Information about one event should not automatically be applied to the other.

The marathon will coincide with the Skymasters final of the Merrell Skyrunner World Series. According to the edition’s regulations, the 2026 circuit comprises 19 races in 12 countries across four continents, with Dements as the final event. That international setting does not make every race bib a place in the final: Skymasters entry requires qualification and additional conditions set out in its own regulations.

At 42.5 kilometers, the course is slightly longer than the 42.195 kilometers of a road marathon, but that similarity is misleading. The organizers advertise 3,808 meters of climbing and the same amount of descent. That works out at approximately 90 meters of climbing per kilometer, a concentration of elevation gain that explains why normal road-running pace is of little use in predicting a finish time.

The route travels between Eslida and Aín through trails, paths and landmarks within the Parc Natural de la Serra d’Espadà. Dense woodland alternates with rocky slopes and ridgelines where views open toward the sea. Those changing surroundings also change how runners move: flowing comfortably along a trail does not guarantee the same confidence on a technical descent while fatigued or on a slope steep enough to require walking.

The opening stretch provides roughly 500 flat meters before crossing the CV-223 and passing through Eslida’s streets, where the first 70 meters of climbing appear. A paved track then leads toward the La Costera trails. The first section covers 6.8 kilometers, with 634 meters of ascent and 446 of descent. A seemingly fast opening soon gives way to the first mountain effort.

The climb to Alto de La Costera features loose stones, although the route description presents it as relatively gentle. Beyond the summit, a ridge links to the GR-36 and a steep descent back to the track. The first aid station, at kilometer 6.8, provides water. It differs from the later stops: this is a light station, rather than a stop offering the same range of solid food as the others.

From La Costera to Font de Matilde, the route covers 3.6 kilometers with 296 meters of climbing and 457 of descent. It follows a section described as a Roman paved path, reaches Coll Roig and continues toward Nevera de Fondeguilla and Pla del Tarraguán. A descent through dense vegetation follows, crossing the CV-219 twice before reaching the aid station at kilometer 10.4.

Font de Matilde marks one of the clearest changes in the race’s character. After another road crossing, the climb to Puntal de l’Aljub begins, with an advertised average gradient of 28% over slightly less than two kilometers. Vegetation gradually gives way to rocky ground and straightforward scrambling. That figure describes a demanding sustained climb, not a short, isolated rise.

Around the antennas on the Puntal, the route begins a ridge traverse with rope-equipped passages and slight exposure, followed by a more runnable trail to Coll de Barres. This section, between kilometers 10.4 and 15.4, includes 639 meters of climbing. The contrast matters: finishing the ascent does not remove the need to stay focused on the ridge passages, particularly as the footing changes.

From Coll de Barres, a short climb reaches Alto de la Batalla, also known as Benialí, with views over much of the course. A fast, steep descent over loose stones follows. Farther on, the marathon takes the branch toward Font de Sant Ambrós and Aín. This section covers 5.6 kilometers with 625 meters of descent: the muscles have already absorbed downhill work before runners reach roughly halfway in distance.

Aín, at kilometer 21, is much more than a drinking stop. It hosts the fourth aid station, the first time cutoff and the mandatory equipment inspection. The limit is four and a half hours after the start, equivalent to noon if the planned schedule remains unchanged. Reaching this village means completing only the first half of the route, not exactly half of its difficulty.

Leaving Aín, the course crosses the CV-200 and joins the Canyaret trail toward Penya Pastor and La Finestra. The first part is steep, crosses scree and ends in a scramble described as having no exposure. Ridgelines and vegetation of high ecological value then lead toward Pico Espadán. Over six kilometers, runners gain 675 meters: another substantial climbing section just as fatigue begins to make itself felt.

The descent from Espadán opens with a very technical section and reaches Coll de la Íbola at kilometer 27. There is an aid station here and a second cutoff: seven hours after the start, or 2:30 p.m. under the current schedule. Runners must arrive in time while retaining the ability to continue. Making a cutoff does not guarantee they can overcome the obstacles still ahead.

After crossing the CV-200 again, the route climbs toward Cerro Gordo and descends through Barranc de les Hortetes to Barranc de la Caritat. This is a three-kilometer section with 180 meters of ascent and 335 of descent, ending at the kilometer 30 aid station. Spectators can reach it on foot from Aín, and it is among the places where personal assistance is permitted, unlike some of the other stops.

The next section passes through Barranc del Roig, a biological reserve where course markings define the permitted passage to protect a fern species and other natural features. The trail reaches Coll de l’Ereta before a technical descent through cork oak woodland toward the Mosquera track. Lush scenery does not reduce a runner’s responsibilities: staying on the marked course is part of the participation conditions.

Mosquera, at kilometer 34, has the third cutoff, eight and a half hours into the race: 4 p.m. if the start remains at 7:30 a.m. Another 8.5 kilometers remain, including one of the hardest sections. The time left before the finish closes is two and a half hours. The finish may appear numerically close, but a decisive climb still awaits before the final descent.

The section from Mosquera to Puntal de l’Aljub covers six kilometers with 667 meters of ascent. After an opening stretch on a track and zigzagging trail, it heads toward Penya Blanca, where gradients reach 70% amid abundant broken rock. These are local maximums, not the average gradient of the entire section. Even so, they describe a late-race wall arriving after many hours of effort.

Beyond Penya Blanca, a ridge takes runners back toward the antennas on Puntal de l’Aljub, where the kilometer 40 aid station is located. From there, 2.5 kilometers remain to Eslida, with 644 meters of descent and just 30 of ascent. A seemingly favorable profile conceals a very steep final descent, with loose stones demanding controlled foot placement even as the finish draws near.

The last 1.5-kilometer descent is named Homenaje al Corredor y Corredora, a tribute to runners, and follows a restored path toward Molí d’Aire before entering the ravine section. That finish captures the course’s personality: Dements does not offer a long, comfortable approach to the line. Safe descending remains important to the very end, because the effort ends in Eslida, not on the final summit.

Marathon eligibility requires proof of finishing a race of at least 42 kilometers with 100 meters of combined elevation change per kilometer, or having finished the Marató dels Dements. In both cases, the result must date from after January 1, 2023. It is essential to distinguish ascent from combined elevation change: the requirement uses the latter, adding climbing and descending together.

For example, a 42-kilometer race would need at least 4,200 meters of combined elevation change to meet the ratio of 100 meters per kilometer. That does not necessarily mean 4,200 meters of ascent. A finisher diploma or results link had to be uploaded through the entry management system before August 31, 2026. That deadline has passed, and the regulations provide for canceling entries without supporting evidence, with refunds subject to their conditions.

Registration was scheduled to open on May 10, 2026, at 7 p.m. through Runática. The published marathon fee is €75, with a limit of 600 places. These figures do not establish whether bibs are currently available: the supplied documentation does not confirm whether places remain or the field is full. The regulations provide for a waiting list when registration closes or places sell out.

When an applicant from that list is accepted, they receive five days to complete registration. The fee includes aid stations during the race and at the finish, medical assistance, showers, bag storage, a finish-area massage, timing information, a digital diploma and a finisher medal. It also includes a technical briefing and runner’s bag, whose contents depend on partnerships. It is important to distinguish included services from bib availability: they are separate pieces of information.

The standard refund deadlines have also passed. The rules offered a 75% refund until July 31 and 50% until August 31, with processing fees payable by the applicant. No standard refunds apply from September 1 onward. Transfers to another runner or changes of race, subject to available places and waiting lists, cost €10 and could be processed until August 31, inclusive.

The regulations include a pregnancy exception, offering a 100% refund and priority registration for three years, provided medical evidence was submitted before October 1, 2026. That deadline has also passed. These are conditions specific to this edition, not a general policy covering every race. The organizers also state that cancellation on safety grounds does not entitle entrants to a refund, leaving the search for an alternative date at their discretion.

The race operates on a semi-self-sufficient basis: organized support is available, but each participant must carry what is needed to travel between checkpoints and manage the course conditions. Mandatory equipment includes an emergency blanket, whistle, fully charged phone and a GPS device operating throughout the race. Runners must also carry at least one liter of water, alongside clothing and footwear meeting the published requirements.

The specified protective garment is a hooded windproof jacket with sealed seams, with an advertised minimum rating of 10,000 for waterproofing and breathability. The wording groups these characteristics together, although they do not use the same technical unit; the definitive specification communicated by the organizers matters. They may waive the requirement depending on the weather. That cannot be assumed: the decision belongs to the organizers, not individual runners.

A headlamp is mandatory for runners passing the Aín equipment check after more than four hours of racing. With the scheduled start, that threshold falls at 11:30 a.m., before the noon cutoff. Arriving within the time limit therefore does not automatically remove the requirement to carry a light. Each participant’s equipment is checked, and missing mandatory kit has consequences: runners cannot start without the required items.

Missing mandatory equipment at the check or during the race can result in a 30-minute penalty. Using headphones, which the regulations prohibit, incurs 15 minutes; having a headlamp switched off when required incurs 10. Poles are recommended because of the terrain, but using them within the first 200 meters carries a 30-minute penalty. These distinctions show how rules affect the race result, as well as serving a safety purpose.

There are eight aid stations along the course: at kilometers 6.8, 10.4, 15.4, 21, 27, 30, 34 and 40, plus the finish station. Apart from the first, which provides water, the regulations advertise drinks, sweet and savory foods, and supplementation. No disposable cups will be available, so runners must carry their own drinking container. Female athletes will have access to menstrual hygiene products at every aid station, according to the published conditions.

Refilling water requires particular attention in Aín and Mosquera. At kilometer 21, refilling reserves becomes compulsory from 11 a.m.; at kilometer 34, from 1 p.m. These are clock times, not hours elapsed since the start. The organizers recommend leaving with full containers, especially at Font de Matilde as well. Distance between stops can be misleading when the next section involves steep gradients and slow progress.

Personal assistance is permitted only at Font de Matilde, Aín and Barranc de la Caritat, approximately at kilometers 10.4, 21 and 30. Accompanying a runner along the course outside aid-station areas or providing other external support is prohibited. Poles may be collected or left only where assistance is authorized. Despite its logistical importance, Mosquera is not among those locations where personal support is permitted.

Time cutoffs are enforced strictly. Anyone exceeding a cutoff is disqualified and has their bib removed; transport to the finish is requested from the responsible staff. There is a distinction for runners who pass Mosquera in time but finish after the maximum eleven hours: they receive a finisher medal but appear as disqualified in the results. A medal and a valid finish do not always mean the same thing in this edition.

Bib collection is planned at Eslida’s sports complex on Friday, November 6, from 5 to 8:30 p.m., and on Saturday from 6 to 7:15 a.m. The program places the start at the sports court on Calle Príncipe Felipe. These details belong to a program awaiting final confirmation, which the regulations say will be finalized during the week before the race; they should be treated as planned arrangements, not fixed timings.

Photo identification is required to collect the bib, timing chip and runner’s bag. Another person may collect them with an image of the entrant’s identification and signed authorization. Safety pins will not be supplied, and bibs must remain visible on the front during the race. An unapproved transfer is not an informal administrative shortcut: the regulations provide for permanent exclusion of both people involved if an unauthorized exchange is discovered on race day.

Safety considerations may change the day’s arrangements. The organizers reserve the right to alter the route, cutoffs and start time, or neutralize or suspend the race, according to conditions and guidance from the Generalitat Valenciana’s 112 emergency service. Alternative routes are planned. A fire in the course area requires immediate suspension under the regulations, and a weather emergency also requires the race to stop. The published route is not immutable when runners or volunteers are at risk.

Withdrawal must be reported and managed at a checkpoint, except in the event of injury. Runners may not leave the marked route independently without informing the organizers and receiving authorization, or travel back against the direction of the race. The organizers may require a runner to withdraw if their condition threatens their safety. Failing to assist someone in difficulty is grounds for disqualification: safety takes priority, even when helping costs time.

Protecting the park is not merely a decorative statement. The regulations require runners to follow course markings, avoid shortcuts, respect wildlife and plants, and mark bars and gels with their bib number. Littering can result in disqualification and a permanent ban from the event. In Barranc del Roig, that obligation has a tangible purpose: staying within the designated passage protects a particularly sensitive environment through which the competition is exceptionally allowed to pass.

The Mitja d’Aín completes the weekend on Sunday, November 8, with 22.5 kilometers, 2,007 meters of ascent and a maximum time of five and a half hours. Entry costs €40, and the field is limited to 350 runners. The start is planned for 8 a.m. in Plaza José Sorribes Fuster. Participation is allowed from age 16, with parental authorization where applicable, but it is not a beginner alternative either and requires evidence of experience under its regulations.

The scale of Dements also rests on local effort. The organizers describe a structure supported by more than 400 volunteers and clubs helping at aid stations, although that figure alone does not establish the precise staffing for 2026. Between Eslida, Aín and the slopes of Espadà, the race combines international competition with locally rooted logistics. Its real measure lies in the combination of technique and endurance, not simply in covering a marathon distance.

Este artículo contiene enlaces de afiliado: si compras a través de ellos, se genera una pequeña comisión sin coste adicional para ti. Más información.