Mazarrón launches a new trail race on the Sendero Azul Alamillo

Plan your race pace

Puerto de Mazarrón will add a new mountain-running event to its calendar on Sunday, November 15, 2026. The first edition of the race along the PR-MU 137 Blue Trail will start at 9 a.m. from the Buenavista residential area, beside Alamillo Beach, and cover about 15 kilometres through Alamillo, La Alameda and Balsicas. Participants can choose between two options: a trail race and a hike.

The route has around 360 metres of elevation gain, placing the event among accessible trail races for those accustomed to walking or running on uneven ground, although it is not a flat stroll along the sea. Registration is listed from 17 euros on the event platform. The published reports do not agree on the closing date, so the safest approach is to check the current terms before registering.

A new event between Mazarrón’s coast and inland landscapes

The race is being organised through a partnership between the Athletics Federation of the Region of Murcia and Mazarrón Town Council. Its first edition is presented as a way to combine physical activity with a natural route in a municipality where the scenery changes quickly from the coastline to rural tracks and low inland hills. This is not an urban loop: the marked PR-MU 137 trail is the main route and links several points in the area.

The event’s name refers to the Blue Trails programme, which recognises routes connected with the restoration and appreciation of natural spaces and their sustainable enjoyment. In this case, the path links Alamillo, La Alameda and Balsicas. That context matters to participants: the event has a sporting dimension, but it also follows a route designed to bring walkers and runners closer to the area’s natural and local heritage.

The start and finish will be at the Buenavista residential area, near Alamillo Beach. This location will host the logistics for an event aimed at both athletes and people who prefer to cover the 15 kilometres on foot. The shared format broadens the potential audience, although both options still call for basic preparation, attention to the terrain and respect for each participant’s pace.

Date, start time and location

The event is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, 2026, with both options due to start at 9 a.m. The available information lists Puerto de Mazarrón as the town and the Buenavista residential area as the start and finish point. The route begins near the coast, close to Alamillo Beach, but then heads along local paths, so it should not be mistaken for a race that stays entirely beside the sea.

The start time also matters when planning travel and bib collection. Information published by the organisers says bibs can be collected on race day at the start area from 7 a.m. until 30 minutes before the event begins. Participants must show a national identity card or another proof of identity. The collection window is fairly long, but arriving with time to spare avoids adding a last-minute rush to a morning that may draw participants from several towns.

Some event listings show different times in their headings, although the specific schedules for both options and reports on the launch set the start at 9 a.m. This is the most consistent reference in the available information. As this is a first edition, any logistical update issued by the organisers should take precedence over older listings or summaries that may not have been revised.

A 15-kilometre route with 360 metres of elevation gain

The advertised distance is 15 kilometres, with about 360 metres of accumulated elevation gain. On paper, that makes for a moderately demanding trail route, with climbs and descents that can feel different from an asphalt race of the same length. The elevation figure helps runners anticipate changes in pace, but it does not tell the whole story: the surface, path width and weather conditions also affect the difficulty.

The route follows the PR-MU 137 Alamillo-La Alameda-Balsicas trail. Available descriptions name those sections but do not provide a full elevation profile or specify every surface type. It is therefore not possible to say how many kilometres run over tracks, narrow trails or compacted paths. That distinction matters in a mountain race: loose or uneven ground usually requires more attention and can put more strain on the legs than a uniform track, even when the slope looks gentle.

The route offers a change from an urban circuit: the landscape and the need to read the ground become part of the effort. Runners will need to pace themselves on the first climbs and save energy for later changes; hikers can take a slower approach while still accounting for the distance and elevation. Either way, 15 kilometres is not a trivial distance for someone unused to walking or running for several hours.

Runners and hikers share the same setting

The organisers have planned a competitive trail option and a hiking option, both covering 15 kilometres and listed with a 9 a.m. start. This format means the event is not aimed only at runners used to racing. It also offers an alternative for people who want to explore the route on foot, although walking does not remove the need to consider the duration, elevation and personal fitness before entering.

The difference between the two options is how participants complete the route, not that one is short and the other long. Hikers follow the same main sections and therefore need to manage their time, especially if the ground includes technical stretches or the day brings heat, wind or rain. Available information does not specify cut-off times or detailed rules for each option, so participants should check the current regulations for the conditions that apply.

The format has a simple but important effect: it brings together people with different reasons for taking part. Some may want to compete and test their pace; others may simply aim to complete the route and enjoy the surroundings. Showing consideration on narrow or shared sections helps everyone get along. In an event that combines sport and nature, looking after the route is part of the experience, not something separate from it.

Registration, entry fee and bib collection

Registration is available through the Alcanza Tu Meta platform, and the published price starts at 17 euros for both the 15-kilometre trail race and the hiking option. The phrase from indicates an initial rate, not necessarily the final amount for every registration phase or condition. The information provided does not explain whether service charges apply or whether prices change by entry period, so the final total should be checked on the form before payment.

Published reports give different registration deadlines. An initial announcement says participants can register until Thursday, November 12, while event listings and other reports set the deadline at Tuesday, November 10, at 8 p.m., or until the participant limit is reached. Given that discrepancy, it is unwise to assume one date is definitive without checking the registration platform, where the latest terms should appear.

Bibs are scheduled to be collected on race day at the start area, from 7 a.m. until 30 minutes before the event begins, with personal identification required. Published information also mentions baggage storage, toilets, showers and parking, as well as awards for the top three overall finishers, the top three in each established category and the three highest-placed local athletes. Availability and specific conditions for these services should be understood according to the regulations and the organisers’ arrangements.

What to consider before taking part

A 15-kilometre distance calls for some regular walking or running, particularly because the route includes elevation gain. There is no need to turn preparation into a rigid plan to recognise a basic rule: trying a similar duration and effort beforehand reduces surprises. Someone used to walking for several hours may approach the hiking option with different expectations from a runner who usually stays on asphalt and has never been on a trail.

Footwear should suit the ground and hold the foot securely; stability matters more than looks on uneven paths. It is also sensible to check the weather forecast and carry enough water for the expected duration, without assuming that being near the coast guarantees mild temperatures. Conditions can change during a November morning, and wind or rain can affect both how cold it feels and how well the ground grips.

The available information does not publish a detailed route profile, refreshment points, a time limit or mandatory equipment. Those details should not be filled in by guesswork. Checking the regulations before travelling helps confirm the rules, categories and planned services, while following route instructions helps protect both participants and the surroundings. On a shared trail, staying on the marked route and leaving no rubbish are essential parts of responsible participation.

The value of running along a Blue Trail

The event focuses on an idea that goes beyond the stopwatch: a trail can be sporting infrastructure and, at the same time, a gateway to the landscape. The Blue Trails programme promotes routes that offer access to natural, cultural and historical heritage through sustainable recreation. The route through Alamillo, La Alameda and Balsicas connects that environmental dimension with an activity open to runners and walkers.

For Mazarrón, a first edition also expands the local sporting calendar and could attract visitors interested in combining a race with a stay in the area. It is not possible to predict how many people will attend or whether the event will return in future years, but combining a middle-distance route with a hiking option gives it a different profile from an exclusively competitive race. If well organised, that breadth could help more people discover the route without turning it into an intensively used space.

In that sense, the event’s debut will be a double test: for those taking the start and for the ability to organise a sporting activity that respects the trail. On November 15, the 15 kilometres will offer a direct way to cross that landscape, at a running or walking pace. Success will not be measured only by finishing times; it will also depend on the route retaining its appeal and remaining enjoyable for those who use it afterwards.