Sant Mateu Xtrail: date, distances and elevation for 2027

Plan your race pace

The Sant Mateu Xtrail mountain race is scheduled for Jan. 10, 2027, in Premià de Dalt, in the Serralada Litoral area of the Maresme region. Current information lists three routes: 10, 15 and 25 kilometers, with 600, 850 and 1,350 meters of elevation gain, respectively.

The event takes its name from the Font and Ermita de Sant Mateu, local landmarks associated with the mountains and the town’s history. For prospective participants, those details provide an initial overview; however, the start time, exact starting point and entry fees have not been published, so they should not be treated as confirmed.

Race date and setting

The next edition is scheduled for Sunday, Jan. 10, 2027, in Premià de Dalt, a Maresme town in Barcelona province. The specific date comes from the confirmed information supplied for this event and takes precedence over references to other years or earlier descriptions that place the race in March.

The course is set in the Serralada Litoral, a range of hills near the Mediterranean with woodland, paths and slopes. Available descriptions say the event takes place mostly within the municipality. That setting helps define the race: a mountain event close to the coast, but with a profile that requires runners to tackle elevation, rather than a flat seaside circuit.

The name refers to the Font and Ermita de Sant Mateu, landmarks for residents of Premià de Dalt. The connection gives the race a local identity, although the published information does not confirm which sections will pass near the spring or hermitage in 2027. The final route, access points and course controls will need to be confirmed in the organizer’s official information.

Three distances for different runners

The known options are 10 kilometers with 600 meters of elevation gain, 15 kilometers with 850 meters, and 25 kilometers with 1,350 meters. The increase in distance comes with more climbing, an important factor when assessing effort beyond the mileage alone.

The shortest distance is not necessarily an easy outing. With 600 meters of climbing over 10 kilometers, the route has a considerable average ascent, although that ratio alone does not reveal the gradient of each climb or the technical difficulty of the trails. In the mountains, two routes with the same elevation gain can feel very different depending on the terrain, the placement of climbs and the condition of the ground.

The 15-kilometer route, with 850 meters of ascent, is an intermediate option in both distance and accumulated climbing. It may suit runners familiar with mountain races who want a longer day than the 10K route without taking on the elevation listed for the longest course. A sensible choice depends on recent training and experience on uneven terrain, as well as how the runner feels on race day.

The 25-kilometer race has 1,350 meters of positive elevation and is the most demanding of the three. That combination makes it a long mountain effort in which pacing, managing climbs and sustaining effort matter as much as speed. The reference listing also gives an elevation ratio of 54 meters per kilometer for this course; that figure describes accumulated ascent, not a path that climbs continuously.

What to expect from the terrain

Descriptions of the race place it in the Serralada Litoral and mention mountain trails with technical sections and views toward the Mediterranean. These are broad features of the area that help distinguish the event from urban road races. A narrow trail, an uneven descent or a sustained climb changes the effort, even when the distance appears comparable to that of a conventional race.

The technical level cannot be translated into a precise grade without an updated course map. Path width, stones or mud, and the gradient of descents can vary from one section to another and with the weather. The reference to technical trails is useful, but it cannot replace a detailed route map or description.

The sea’s proximity is part of the landscape’s appeal, but it does not mean the whole route runs along the coast. The Serralada Litoral alternates slopes, tracks and woodland paths; from some points, the view may open toward the Mediterranean. In January, too, temperature, humidity and ground conditions can make the same climb feel very different from a dry, mild day.

How to read the elevation figures

Positive elevation gain adds up all the uphill meters along a route. It does not show the highest point on the course or the difference between the start and finish. The 1,350 meters listed for the long route therefore describe the cumulative climbing, which may be spread across several ascents and descents over 25 kilometers.

The figure offers a cautious way to compare the general demands of the three options. A high amount of climbing per kilometer usually points to more effort than a flat race of similar length, but it does not by itself predict finishing time. Surface, running technique, mountain experience and downhill pacing also matter.

In a hilly race, walking the steepest ramps can be an efficient choice, not a sign that a runner has stopped competing. On descents, controlling pace on uneven ground can help preserve balance and energy. The real difficulty is best understood by combining distance, elevation and terrain, rather than relying on a single number.

Preparation and choosing a route

Preparation should match the chosen distance and the conditions of the terrain. For a 10K race with 600 meters of climbing, running miles on flat roads may not be enough without adding hill work and practice on uneven paths. For the 15K and 25K options, the time spent sustaining effort also increases.

A useful trail-running foundation includes regular running, gradually adding elevation and practicing on surfaces similar to those expected on race day. Progression matters: abruptly increasing duration or weekly climbing can raise the risk of overuse. Familiarity with uphill and downhill running develops gradually, with attention to recovery and the body’s signals.

Footwear also affects comfort and grip. No single shoe suits every trail: outsole lugs, protection and fit should match the expected terrain and the runner’s preferences. Since the 2027 course is not detailed here, it is best to avoid precise conclusions about lug depth or required equipment until fuller information is released.

The longest distance is not automatically the right choice for someone who runs quickly on roads. Mountain experience, time available for training and the ability to manage elevation are decisive factors. Beginners may find it more sensible to choose a challenge that fits their current preparation, rather than treating extra mileage as a goal in itself.

2027 information still to be confirmed

The date and three distances provide a clear starting point, but they do not answer every practical question about race day. The available information does not list the start time or the exact start and finish addresses. It also omits bib pickup times, cutoffs, aid stations and participation rules.

Entry fees and the status of available places have not been provided either. Fees, schedules and conditions from previous editions should not be carried over to 2027 without confirmation; they can change from one year to the next. MiSports is identified as the organizer in descriptions of the event, but the supplied information includes no official page or verifiable link for this edition.

A detailed map showing elevation by section, crossings, technical areas and possible surface changes is also missing. Such details matter when planning the day and estimating a finishing time. Until they are announced, the published details should be treated as a general race profile, not the complete set of regulations.

A mountain event with a local identity

The Sant Mateu Xtrail is defined by its combination of a mountain race and a place with significance for Premià de Dalt. The spring and hermitage in its name anchor the event in a specific landscape, while the range of distances gives runners with different levels of experience a way to take part. It is more than a matter of covering miles: the race offers a way to experience the town through its paths and hillsides.

The 2027 edition is listed for Jan. 10 and offers routes of 10, 15 and 25 kilometers, with up to 1,350 meters of positive elevation. Those are the clearest details currently available for assessing the challenge. The start time, exact location, fees and final course still need to be published; those details will complete the picture of race day in the Maresme mountains.