Puertollano to host a 70 km ultra in December 2026

Plan your race pace

Puertollano will host the first edition of a mountain ultra on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, covering 70 kilometers and 3,000 meters of elevation gain. The start is scheduled for 5 a.m. from La Central, in the dark, and runners will have a maximum of 13 hours to complete the course. The route will also pass through Hinojosas de Calatrava and Cabezarrubias del Puerto, in Ciudad Real province.

Organized by DxT Base Servicios Deportivos alongside local clubs, the event offers three ways to take part: individually, in pairs and in teams of four relay runners. Published entry fees range from 15 to 45 euros per runner, depending on the format and whether the race pack is included. The event combines a demanding distance with relays that divide the course, although the early start and hours of darkness shape both preparation and logistics.

A first edition with a mining identity

The race is rooted in the landscape and industrial history of the region. According to the available information, its circular route runs through the hills around Puertollano and passes through the city several times, as well as reaching Hinojosas de Calatrava and Cabezarrubias del Puerto. This is not interchangeable scenery: former mining sites and mining tracks are part of the event’s character.

The name evokes that heritage, but it alone cannot predict how each section will feel underfoot. Organizers have announced 70 kilometers and around 3,000 meters of accumulated climbing; to understand the elevation profile, the balance of tracks and trails, or the most technical sections, runners should consult official maps and rules when available. In an ultra, distance and elevation explain only part of the effort: terrain, mud and cold can all affect pace.

The first edition also brings together local clubs and associations, with support from the town council and municipal sports board. That network matters in a race with 10 aid stations and several municipalities involved: on-course support requires coordination, local knowledge and logistics that are invisible from the start line.

Date, start time and race limits

The event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5, 2026, starting at 5 a.m. from La Central and finishing at El Terry, both in Puertollano. The start time makes a headlamp essential from the first kilometer. Although daybreak will come during the race, participants will begin in darkness and may need lighting again if their pace brings them close to the cutoff.

The announced time limit is 13 hours. For the individual race, that puts the theoretical finish deadline at around 6 p.m., provided the published schedule remains unchanged. The race plans three timed cutoff points, a common measure in long-distance events to manage safety and limit the time runners spend on isolated sections.

The cutoff should not be treated as an invitation to use every available minute. Aid-station stops, incidents, elevation and weather can all add time. The updated rules should specify the checkpoints, their closing times and what happens if a runner arrives after a cutoff. Those details are essential for pacing and for understanding the conditions of entry.

70 kilometers with relay options

Individual entrants cover the full course, while the team formats split the distance into sections. Pairs can enter in women’s, men’s or mixed categories and divide the route into two legs. In teams of four, each runner covers approximately 17.5 kilometers, with women’s, men’s and mixed categories also listed in the available information.

Relays change the experience but do not remove the need to plan. Each participant needs to know where the handoff takes place, how to reach the exchange point and how much time there is before the next leg. The location of exchanges and related transport arrangements should be confirmed in the rules: team logistics are part of the race, particularly on a day that begins before sunrise.

Relays open the event to people who may not be ready to cover the entire ultra distance. They are not, however, an effortless version of the race: each leg has its own pace, terrain and schedule, and teams must follow the same event rules. Individual runners, meanwhile, need to manage their effort over many hours rather than chase a speed suited to a short race.

Course, aid stations and medical support

The route links Puertollano with Hinojosas de Calatrava and Cabezarrubias del Puerto, across an area shaped by mining. Organizers have announced 10 aid stations, along with timing, medical assistance and an ambulance. The exact location of those services matters as much as the total: distances between stations determine how much water and food runners should carry and where outside support may be needed.

Aid stations can provide drinks and food, but they do not replace self-sufficiency between stops. Over 70 kilometers, eating and drinking at regular intervals can help avoid rushed decisions once fatigue sets in. A plan should reflect the expected duration, temperature and individual tolerance, using products tested beforehand; race day is not the time to experiment with nutrition.

The available description does not confirm the detailed elevation profile or the kilometer markers for each aid station. Nor should runners assume that every section will have mobile coverage or easy access for spectators. The official map and organizer instructions should take precedence over rough estimates, especially for relay teams or anyone planning to follow the race from several locations.

Entry and fees by format

Published prices vary according to the race format and whether the race pack is included. Individual entry costs 45 euros with the pack and 30 euros without it. For pairs, the price per runner is 35 euros with the pack or 20 euros without it; for teams of four, it is 30 euros with the pack and 15 euros without.

The listed deadlines are Nov. 18, 2026, at 10 a.m. for entries with the race pack and Nov. 25 at 10 a.m. for entries without it. The different dates give entrants a choice, but prices and availability may change if organizers update the terms. Before paying, check the format, final price and bib details through the official registration channel.

Race information also lists a three-euro fee for bib changes or refunds, although the exact terms should be checked in the current rules. Finishers will receive a medal, and trophies are planned for several categories, including overall, senior, master, veteran and first local runner. Registration should be considered alongside the rules, which set out requirements, included services and start conditions.

Gear for a pre-dawn start

The darkness at the start makes a reliable headlamp especially important, and its battery life should be checked before race day. Available information says lighting is mandatory; the rules may also require a spare battery and other safety items. A light must help runners see the trail and be visible to others, not merely satisfy a requirement to carry a lamp.

Items mentioned in the available information include a fluid container holding at least 500 milliliters, a windproof jacket, an emergency blanket, a mobile phone, a whistle and a downloaded course track. The mandatory list may change at the organizers’ discretion or because of weather, so it should be confirmed in the final rules. A hydration vest can make it easier to carry water, food and extra layers, but its capacity should match the distance between aid stations.

Shoes should suit the actual terrain, not just the label ultra. Trail shoes with appropriate grip and a proven fit can reduce discomfort over a long day; new shoes or socks can turn a minor rub into a serious problem. Poles, gloves and extra layers may be useful depending on the profile and conditions, but every item should be tested in similar training and comply with the required gear list.

December cold and the weather forecast

Historical figures cited for the date suggest temperatures of about 4 to 12 degrees Celsius, averaging 7 degrees. They also show a 27% chance of rain, around 1 millimeter of average precipitation and average winds of 16 kilometers per hour. These are climate references, not the forecast for race day: the specific outlook can change before December.

The pre-dawn start may feel colder than the middle of the day, and exercise does not fully prevent heat loss when pace slows or runners stop. A moisture-managing base layer, a windproof garment and lightweight gloves are options commonly considered in winter conditions. The aim is to avoid both excessive clothing, which traps moisture, and too little protection for a long stop.

The race begins at night but is expected to continue for several hours in daylight. In exposed areas, sunscreen and sunglasses may still matter in December, while a neck gaiter or hat can help during the cold start. Clothing should make it possible to regulate warmth in layers, with garments accessible without emptying a vest. The final choice should reflect the updated forecast and each runner’s sensitivity to cold and wind.

Preparing for and managing an ultra

A 70-kilometer race calls for specific preparation and enough experience to handle many hours of running or hiking. Training volume, elevation, strength work and recovery should reflect each runner’s history; there is no universal weekly mileage that guarantees readiness. Long sessions can help test gear and nutrition, but they should not become races before race day.

It also helps to practise the changes of pace required by the terrain: run where it is sustainable and hike climbs when saving energy makes more sense. The goal is not to hold one constant speed on a course that may combine climbs, tracks and trails, but to avoid sudden efforts that take their toll in the second half. A conservative pace leaves room for stops and unexpected problems.

Nutrition deserves the same practice as footwear. Spreading food and fluids across the race instead of waiting for a sudden loss of energy or intense thirst can help sustain effort. With a time limit of up to 13 hours, the plan must account for the full duration, not just the opening miles. Individual needs vary, and any specific approach should reflect personal tolerance and experience.

Getting to Puertollano and finding accommodation

Puertollano will be the start and finish base, with La Central as the starting point and El Terry as the finish. The town has rail and road connections, and available information puts the drive from Ciudad Real at about 35 minutes. The road journey from Madrid is roughly two hours, although actual travel time depends on traffic and route.

A 5 a.m. start makes it sensible to arrange accommodation and transport in advance, particularly for anyone collecting a bib or travelling from another town overnight. Hotels and hostels in Puertollano provide nearby options; Ciudad Real may offer more choice but adds an early journey. The start time shapes the night before as much as the course itself.

Teams should coordinate vehicles, travel to relay exchanges and the return trip from the finish rather than assume every point is accessible without planning. Organizers may publish specific instructions on parking, bib pickup and traffic through the municipalities. Before travelling, check those notices and confirm train times, as logistical information may change as the date approaches.

A new trail event for Ciudad Real

The first edition brings together an ultra distance, relay formats and a route linking Puertollano with nearby towns shaped by mining. Its appeal is not limited to 70 kilometers: it also lies in the night start, the sequence of aid stations and the involvement of local clubs. Dec. 5, 2026, will be the first real test of that plan, both for runners covering the whole course and teams sharing the legs.

Runners should check the latest official information for details that still need confirmation, particularly the full elevation profile, cutoff times, relay locations and final mandatory gear list. These are not minor details in a long-distance event: they shape safety, strategy and whether each format is practical. Entry prices and deadlines should also be checked before registration is completed.

The mining landscape gives the event a distinctive identity as it aims to cross three municipalities and bring together different ways of tackling an ultra. For those travelling to Puertollano, race day will begin long before sunrise; the experience will depend on how terrain, cold, light and organization come together. That combination will define the first edition of the Anillo Minero.

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