The Sierra de Segura’s extreme triathlon: route and schedule

Plan your race pace

On May 8, 2027, the Sierra de Segura will host one of Spain’s most demanding triathlon events. The course links a swim in the Tranco reservoir, mountain cycling and a long trail-running section, finishing at Segura de la Sierra Castle. The organizers offer individual and pairs formats, an important distinction for those taking on all three disciplines alone or sharing the effort with a partner.

The challenge is not defined by distance alone. Elevation gain, an open-water start in darkness and a mountain-trail finish that may continue into the night all add to the demands. Published information puts the swim start at 5:45 a.m., while a general event listing gives 5 a.m. as the event time. It is important to distinguish the briefing time from the actual water start and check the latest details before travelling.

A long-distance event in the heart of the Sierra de Segura

The seventh edition takes place around Hornos de Segura, in Jaén province, amid a landscape of reservoirs, mountain roads and paths through the surrounding natural park. It is not a compact loop around one town: the start and finish are in different locations, and the stages cross several settlements and parts of the region. The setting is part of the challenge, as elevation, changing terrain and distances between key points shape the day.

The event combines three very different disciplines. The swim takes place in the Tranco reservoir; the bike leg crosses mountain passes and roads; and the run follows tracks and trails to Segura de la Sierra Castle. Available information lists 3,600 metres of swimming, around 176 to 180 kilometres of cycling and 43 kilometres of trail running. Cycling distances differ slightly between event listings, so participants should rely on the final documents issued by the organizers.

Some registration pages describe the event as a long-distance triathlon, while others give a combined distance of about 226.5 kilometres across all three stages. That total should not be confused with a running distance: the final stage on foot is 43 kilometres and includes about 1,900 metres of positive elevation gain. The day is best understood as an off-road multisport journey, rather than a conventional road race with quick transitions and a flat course.

Race date and participation formats

The announced date is Saturday, May 8, 2027. The event listing says registration opened on September 16, 2026, and is scheduled to close on April 30, 2027, subject to availability. Published information indicates 100 individual places and 20 places for pairs, a limited capacity that makes it important to check the registration terms rather than assume they will remain unchanged.

In the individual format, one athlete completes the swim, bike and trail stages, including the transitions. In the pairs format, participants alternate between stages in accordance with the race rules. This is not a relay that removes the need for preparation: both partners need to understand their responsibilities, how changes are handled and what safety requirements apply. The team format changes how the effort is shared, but it does not make the course recreational or reduce its logistical demands.

Published 2027 prices are 260 euros for an individual entry and 320 euros per pair. The platform also says optional cancellation insurance may be available; refund terms depend on purchasing that cover and on the conditions set during registration. Since prices and availability can change, the fee shown on the official registration platform at checkout is the decisive reference. Information pages should not be treated as a guarantee of a place or unchanged terms until registration closes.

Night swimming in the Tranco reservoir

The first stage covers a listed distance of 3,600 metres and takes place before sunrise. The swim starts in the water near the Tranco Reservoir Leisure Centre, after participants are taken by boat to the starting point specified by the organizers. The race website gives 5:45 a.m. as the detailed swim start, although the general event listing shows 5 a.m. The difference may reflect the gathering time and the actual start, so the final schedule should clarify both.

Darkness makes navigation and visibility central concerns. Available information requires a wetsuit and a safety buoy fitted with a chemical light supplied by the organizers. Gloves and booties are prohibited, while clear-lens goggles are recommended to improve visibility in low light. The illuminated buoy is not optional equipment: it is part of the safety measures intended to help support crews locate swimmers.

The water-safety plan includes kayaks and support boats, as well as buoys marking the course. Weather can affect this stage: the organizers reserve the right to shorten or remove the swim and may convert the event into a duathlon. Water temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius are estimates, not a guarantee for race day. Actual reservoir conditions and the weather forecast may change the experience and format, even in the hours before the start.

A long bike leg over mountain passes and roads

The cycling stage includes around 4,000 metres of positive elevation gain and several mountain passes. Featured climbs include El Yelmo, La Cumbre and Despiernacaballos, on a route passing places such as Navalperal, Orcera, Hornos de Segura, Río Madera, La Toba and Pontones. One listing gives a distance of 176 kilometres and others say 180. The exact figure should be checked against the latest official route, though all sources describe a long, mountainous stage.

This is about more than accumulating elevation on a bike. Long climbs call for careful effort management, while descents require attention to the road surface and traffic. The event information warns that roads remain open to traffic and that animals, stones or branches may appear on the route. Riders must obey traffic rules and remain visible, especially in the early hours when light is limited.

The race information says a red rear light is compulsory during the cycling stage and recommends a front light as well. Another route description mentions a feed station near kilometre 89 and water sources along the course; its exact location and provisions should be checked in the edition’s technical guide. Differences between published route profiles and distances make it particularly important to review the official map. Knowing where food and water are available is part of managing the effort, not a minor detail on such a long day.

The final trail leads to a castle

The 43-kilometre run includes around 1,900 metres of positive elevation gain and follows the GR 247, combining forest tracks and trails. It starts at the Tranco Reservoir Leisure Centre, passes through Hornos de Segura and climbs towards El Yelmo before finishing at Segura de la Sierra Castle. The elevated historic finish is visually striking, but it comes after a long day, when accumulated fatigue can change how athletes handle every climb and descent.

The route combines wide tracks with narrow trails and technical sections. Available descriptions warn of difficult passages and recommend pacing from the outset; they also note that asphalt is virtually absent, making trail shoes appropriate for the terrain. A checkpoint and feed station are planned at El Campillo shelter, around kilometre 30. This point marks an important transition into the more technical section, when fitness and equipment matter even more.

The registration information says participants must have a support companion from kilometre 30 of the trail, while another description says they may be accompanied from the start by someone they trust. The discrepancy should be resolved by checking the current rules: athletes should not assume it is enough to arrive with a support person without confirming the conditions, permitted locations and required equipment. Having a companion does not replace safety rules or checkpoints, and may be subject to specific organizer instructions.

Timings, checkpoints and the course cut-off

In addition to the planned 5:45 a.m. swim start, published information lists several time controls: the first transition is set for 7:30 a.m. and the second for 5 p.m. El Campillo shelter, around kilometre 30 of the trail, has a listed cut-off of 9:30 p.m. The finish closes 18 hours after the start. These times are operational references, not predictions of an athlete’s pace, and should be checked against the final race rules before the event.

Intermediate cut-offs mean that finishing is not simply a matter of reaching the castle before the final deadline. Anyone who falls too far behind in the water, on the bike or early in the trail may be withdrawn, even if they still have the strength to continue. A night swim, long climbs and technical trails make it difficult to estimate the overall time by simply adding familiar pace calculations. Transitions, feed stops and changes in terrain also use up the available time, and can matter more in a mountain race than on a uniform course.

The finish is at Segura de la Sierra Castle, while the swim starts beside the Tranco reservoir. The distance between these points creates logistical needs for both athletes and supporters. The event cannot be reduced to a single map pin: it crosses the region, and the finish is far from the start area. Transport, accommodation and pick-ups require attention to each location and the official schedule, which may be updated as race day approaches.

Equipment and conditions to check

The swim requires a wetsuit and a buoy with a chemical light, and the bike must carry a red rear light throughout the route under the published rules. For the trail, event and information pages mention a pack with a headlamp and spare batteries, a hooded jacket, a long-sleeved thermal layer, an emergency blanket, a whistle and food and drink. The final mandatory-equipment list should come from the 2027 rules, as requirements may change from earlier editions or third-party summaries.

The equipment requirements reflect a specific setting: an event that begins at night, crosses mountain elevations and may finish many hours later in low light. A waterproof layer or a light source is not just a box to tick if conditions worsen; both help participants cope with changes in temperature and visibility. Poles are listed as permitted in the information reviewed, though their use may be subject to course rules. Equipment needs to comply with the rules and suit the terrain, not just personal preference.

The published minimum age is 20 on race day. The information also states that traffic is not fully closed, so each participant must follow road rules. GPS tracking for the bike and trail, medical staff and water-safety equipment are described as part of the event support. These support measures do not remove an athlete’s responsibility to follow instructions or turn the course into a closed-road event.

A test of endurance and sound judgment

The event’s appeal lies in bringing swimming, cycling and mountain running together in one continuous day across some of Jaén’s most rugged landscapes. Its scale and profile set it apart from an entry-level triathlon: darkness, mountain passes, miles of trail and a long day demand experience and the ability to manage effort. The challenge is not a single headline feature, but the sum of distance, elevation and changing conditions across all three stages.

It is also worth reading published information carefully. Cycling distances are listed as 176 or 180 kilometres, the general listing gives a 5 a.m. event time and the detailed swim description sets a 5:45 a.m. start. The May 8, 2027, date, individual and pairs formats, published prices and overall route do appear in the available information, but operational details may change. The rules and schedule issued by the organizers should take precedence over discrepancies in platforms or third-party summaries.

In the Sierra de Segura, the finish is not reached after a final stretch of road, but after linking a reservoir, mountain roads and trails on the way to a castle. That geography explains the event’s distinctive character and the kind of preparation it demands, while also showing why careful planning and adherence to safety instructions matter. The 2027 edition offers a demanding journey in which reaching the finish means managing energy and judgment throughout the course.

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