Girona’s RunThrough trail race returns in 2027

Plan your race pace

The next edition of RunThrough Trails in Girona has a confirmed date: April 3, 2027. The race will bring trail running back to the area around the Catalan city, although the available information does not yet specify start times, routes, distances or entry fees for that edition. The previous event can offer a point of reference, but it is no guarantee that the same programme will return unchanged.

In 2025, the event offered three mountain routes of 26, 50 and 103 kilometres, as well as a 2-kilometre children’s race. The programme combined local trails and scenery with an increasingly demanding physical challenge at each distance. For 2027, the date and city are confirmed, but the precise format has yet to be announced. Keeping those facts separate helps runners plan with reliable information rather than mistaking a past edition’s programme for the next one.

A confirmed date, with details still to come

The key date for anyone already thinking about the spring season is straightforward: the event is scheduled for April 3, 2027, in Girona. The available information does not specify a start time, the exact starting point, the races in the programme or the status of registration. It also provides no official address or dedicated event page for that edition.

This lack of detail is not unusual when a race is announced well in advance. A date makes it possible to reserve the day and begin considering travel, but it is not enough to choose a distance, arrange a trip or assess the route’s difficulty. In trail running, small changes to a course can significantly affect elevation gain, terrain and the time needed to finish.

The 2025 edition took place in May, while the date announced for 2027 falls in early April. That calendar change may affect race conditions: daylight hours, temperatures and humidity vary throughout spring. Without an announcement from the organisers about the route and schedule, the calendar alone cannot predict what race day will be like.

What the previous Girona edition offered

Information published about the 2025 edition describes a day with three main distances: 26, 50 and 103 kilometres. A 2-kilometre children’s race was also announced for the following day. The programme appeared to cater to different runners, from those wanting to try a long mountain route to experienced ultra runners, as well as younger participants.

The elevation figures associated with those races help explain the challenge of that edition. The 26-kilometre course gained 427 metres; the 50-kilometre route, 1,097 metres; and the 103-kilometre course, 2,962 metres. Distance and elevation describe only part of the difficulty: the steepness of climbs, trail conditions, technical sections and weather also affect the effort required.

The 2025 race had cut-off times of eight hours for the 26-kilometre course, 14 hours for the 50-kilometre course and 24 hours for the 103-kilometre route. These figures provide context for the previous format, but they should not be treated as confirmed cut-offs for 2027. Time limits, distances and rules may change between editions; details for the next event will need to come from its official regulations.

The scenery: trails, rivers and mountains

The previous edition placed its start near Parc de la Devesa in Girona and outlined routes that left the urban roads for trails around the area. References to Rocacorba and Puigsou suggest a mountain landscape close to the city, where the terrain may shift between tracks, woodland and steeper climbs. The event’s appeal lies in combining trail running with Girona’s proximity.

The terrain changes noticeably, from the park and urban surroundings to hills, vegetation and country paths. Information about the 2025 long-distance race also described a route near the Garrotxa Volcanic Zone. That detail relates to the previous course; the 2027 route has not been published, so there is no guarantee that it will revisit those places or follow the same trail.

In trail running, scenery is not merely a backdrop. A narrow path calls for a shorter stride; a wide track makes it easier to hold a steadier pace, while a long climb may turn running into a mix of jogging and walking. Varied terrain is part of the challenge, and the official course profile, once published, will be more useful than a general description of the area.

Distances for different kinds of runner

The 2025 distances covered a wide range. The 26-kilometre course offered a demanding introduction to long-distance trail running; 50 kilometres meant managing effort through much of the day, and 103 kilometres presented an ultra-distance challenge. That range helps illustrate the previous edition, but it does not confirm that the same options will be available in 2027.

Choosing a mountain distance is about more than comparing kilometres. Elevation gain, terrain, cut-off times and aid-station locations all affect planning and physical demands. A shorter course can be tough if it includes steep climbs or technical ground, while a longer route on runnable tracks requires sustained effort over a longer period.

The 2-kilometre children’s race completed the 2025 programme and gave families an activity to share during the weekend. It was scheduled for the Sunday after the main races. Until it is confirmed for 2027, it should be treated as a previous feature rather than a guaranteed part of the event. The number of races and their start times are also subject to change: organisers still need to confirm the new edition’s programme.

Aid stations and race-day self-sufficiency

Published information for 2025 listed two aid stations on the 26-kilometre course, five on the 50-kilometre race and seven on the 103-kilometre route. They were described as offering water, energy drinks, gels, fruit and sweet and savoury snacks. This gives an idea of how that edition was organised, although the locations, quantities and exact arrangements at each station were not provided.

In a mountain race, aid stations are more than places to stop for a drink. They are landmarks along the course and influence how much food and fluid each participant needs to carry between checkpoints. The distance between stations and mandatory-kit rules are particularly important in a long race, but they have not yet been provided for Girona 2027.

It is also worth distinguishing the general availability of food and drink from individual needs. Pace, expected duration, digestive tolerance and weather all affect how much a runner needs. Once the official details are published, the aid-station map and self-sufficiency rules will provide a clearer picture of the logistics. Until then, the 2025 figures are historical context, not a promise of identical services at the next edition.

Registration, prices and requirements

The prices listed for 2025 were 35 euros for 26 kilometres, 50 euros for 50 kilometres and 80 euros for 103 kilometres. The children’s race had a 10-euro fee. No 2027 price has been confirmed in the available information, and the previous fees cannot predict the cost of entering the next edition, where prices may vary by distance, entry period or participation conditions.

The 2025 information stated a minimum age of 18 for the main races. It did not give the same level of detail about the children’s race age requirements, medical criteria, mandatory equipment or required documents. These points should be checked in the regulations for 2027, along with cancellation terms, transfer rules and any participant limits.

Mountain races also release practical information alongside registration details, including bib collection, schedules, transport to the start and safety rules. Without those details, it is not possible to accurately calculate the full cost of taking part, especially for those travelling from outside Girona. The entry fee is only one part of the budget; travel, accommodation and food may add to the weekend’s cost.

How to assess the difficulty before choosing

Distance is the most visible figure, but not always the most revealing. A 26-kilometre route can involve several hours of effort, while a 103-kilometre ultra requires runners to manage pace, nutrition and rest for an extended period. Elevation gain adds another layer: it shows the total ascent, but not the length or steepness of each climb.

The surface matters, too. A wide, firm track calls for a different stride from a rocky, muddy or narrow trail. Rain can turn straightforward paths slippery, and a sunny, hot day increases hydration needs. The course profile and official route description are essential for estimating the challenge; until they are published, comparisons with other races will remain approximate.

Previous experience should be considered alongside cut-off times and participation rules, not distance alone. A long mountain race is not equivalent to a road race of the same length. For Girona 2027, elevation profiles, regulations and checkpoints will help runners assess whether each route suits their experience, always through a personal and careful judgement.

Girona as a destination for a trail-running weekend

The location brings together a city with services and heritage and an accessible natural setting. Girona offers more than the race itself: riverside walks, cultural visits and local food can all form part of a trip, while nearby mountain trails offer a change of pace from the city centre. The proximity of city and countryside is one of the event’s most distinctive features.

The Costa Brava is about 35 kilometres from Girona, according to information about the previous edition. That proximity may appeal to visitors extending their stay, although travel time will depend on the destination and traffic. The Garrotxa area was also mentioned in relation to the 2025 long-distance route, but that does not mean it will be included in the 2027 course.

Planning travel with some flexibility will be useful once the final start location and schedule are known. An early start can affect transport and accommodation options, while event-related road restrictions may influence access. The start address and official logistics have yet to be confirmed, so it is unwise to make non-refundable bookings based on details from a previous edition.

What still needs to be confirmed before April 2027

The date and city put the race on the calendar, but key details that determine what participation will involve are still unknown: distances, elevation, routes, start times, aid stations and cut-off times. Information about registration, prices, categories, minimum age, mandatory equipment and runner services is also missing. A confirmed date is not the same as a published set of race regulations.

It is especially important to be cautious when comparing the next event with the 2025 edition. That event had three main races and a children’s race, with routes reaching 103 kilometres and nearly 3,000 metres of elevation gain. These are useful details for understanding the scale of the previous event, but they are not official facts about the 2027 edition. Presenting them as final would misrepresent what has not yet been announced.

For now, Girona is on the trail calendar for April 3, 2027, with the date confirmed and the programme still to be announced. The previous event points to a race connected with mountain terrain and the province’s landscapes, but the next route will have to speak for itself. The course, distances and entry conditions will ultimately define the scale of the event.