Ultramediterrània in Alcoi: guide to the 2027 flagship race

Plan your race pace

The flagship race of Ultramediterrània will start at 2 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 22, 2027, in Alcoi. Its 160 kilometres and more than 8,000 metres of positive elevation gain make it a mountain ultra for experienced runners, where technical terrain, cold weather and hours of darkness will test athletes as much as their physical endurance.

The start and finish will be at Plaza Ferrándiz y Carbonell, in central Alcoi. Organizers have announced a 37-hour cutoff and a course combining trails, dirt tracks, ridgelines and sections of road. This is not a race decided by maintaining one steady pace. It calls for managing effort, eating for many hours and staying focused when the legs have already covered a long way.

A 160-kilometre ultra in inland Alicante

The PRO 160K is the longest distance in the Ultramediterrània program, a trail-running event bringing together several races in the mountains of inland Alicante. Its course links valleys, forest tracks, villages and mountain ranges, reaching approximately 1,445 metres in elevation. Organizers describe an extensive mountain journey, not a simple out-and-back course.

The event as a whole runs from Jan. 21 to 24, 2027, but the 160-kilometre race starts on the 22nd. That distinction matters when planning travel, bib pickup and pre-race rest: the event calendar spans several days, while the main ultra starts Friday afternoon.

According to the available course data, roughly 60% of the route is on trails, 30% on tracks or dirt roads and 10% on asphalt. That variety turns the race into a sequence of surfaces with different demands. Trails call for attention and balance; tracks invite running, though not always wisely; and asphalt, despite making up a smaller share, can be hard on feet after many hours.

The race is recognized by the International Trail Running Association and includes events linked to the UTMB Index. The PRO is also part of the TORX eXperience network, which offers two direct-entry places to the TOR330 – Tor des Géants. These connections place the event on an international stage, but do not make it any less demanding: the distance and elevation remain the central challenge.

The course: changing surfaces and sustained elevation

Mountain terrain does not present one single challenge over 160 kilometres. Long climbs demand strength and patience; technical descents require control even as fatigue sets in; and runnable sections can tempt runners to go faster than they should. Positive elevation gain exceeds 8,000 metres, with some references putting the figure at about 8,050, so the race involves the amount of climbing expected in a highly demanding ultra.

During the first few hours, fresh legs and the excitement of the start can make it tempting to take advantage of every climb. But spending too much energy early often takes a toll once the hours of darkness arrive. On steep slopes, determined hiking can be more efficient than running with ragged breathing. The goal is not to move quickly through every section, but to reach the next one still able to keep going.

Descents need the same care. Long strides and constant braking put strain on the quadriceps, which will need to keep working for a long time. On uneven trails, runners should look several steps ahead and avoid sudden movements as visibility fades. On smoother tracks, the danger is being carried away by the sense of ease and turning a sustainable pace into an effort that costs too much.

The high point, at about 1,445 metres, is not in itself an altitude problem for most runners. It can, however, mean greater exposure to wind, damp and cold, especially at night. The terrain changes character with darkness and fatigue: a rock that is obvious in daylight can be easy to miss by headlamp when the legs are tired.

Start time and practical details for race day

The race is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Jan. 22, 2027, starting and finishing at Plaza Ferrándiz y Carbonell in Alcoi. The town will also serve as the event’s logistical hub and a reference point for accommodation, transport and pre-race arrangements. The race takes place in midwinter, so runners should prepare for a wide temperature range from afternoon through the night and into the following hours.

The announced cutoff is 37 hours. That provides a general reference, but should not be mistaken for a target pace that suits everyone. Mountain-running experience, accumulated climbing, stops and individual response to exertion all affect a finish time. The PRO 160K calls for a flexible strategy that can adapt as the body responds throughout the race.

Published information indicates there will be 18 liquid and 18 solid aid stations. The race nevertheless operates under partial self-sufficiency rules: participants must carry enough supplies to cover the gaps between stations. Exact locations, distances between aid stations and available food should be confirmed in the organizers’ final documentation, since those details may change.

The event program includes other distances and formats, but the 160-kilometre race is its ultradistance option. Figures for some other events vary across third-party listings and descriptions, so official information is the best source for details about those formats. For runners focused on the PRO, the essentials are clear: 160 kilometres of mountain terrain, more than 8,000 metres of climbing and a long night section.

Preparing for a race that lasts through the night

A training cycle lasting several months can build endurance and tolerance for elevation, provided the runner already has a suitable base. Training volume should rise gradually and reflect experience, age, injury history and the time available to train. Someone else’s plan may not suit another athlete: adding kilometres without accounting for recovery can build fatigue rather than fitness.

A long mountain outing helps runners get used to spending many hours moving and test their nutrition. Climbing sessions can alternate sustained ascents, short hill repeats and uphill hiking with poles if they plan to use them in the race. Strength work, especially for the legs, glutes and ankles, and easy runs that maintain consistency without turning every session into a race also matter.

During the middle of a training cycle, some back-to-back days in the mountains can help runners experience moving on tired legs. There is no need to reproduce the full race distance in training. The aim is to practise managing effort, maintain reasonable form as fatigue builds and check whether food and equipment remain comfortable after several hours.

Night running should be practised, too. A few controlled outings with a headlamp help runners get used to their field of vision, adjusting the light and handling batteries. They should take place in familiar, safe locations, without unnecessary risks. Seeing differently changes the way runners place their feet, so slowing down on technical sections and looking a few steps ahead, not only at the next obstacle, is worthwhile.

In the final weeks, training load is usually reduced gradually to help runners start with enough energy. Staying active and retaining a few moderate efforts can preserve feel, but this period cannot make up for missed training. Starting fresh is part of preparation: arriving rested is more valuable than showing up with tired legs after one last excessive workout.

Pacing, food and aid stations

In a race of this kind, eating and drinking are part of effort management, not tasks to leave until intense hunger or thirst sets in. Digestive tolerance can change during an ultra and is affected by intensity, cold and fatigue. That is why long training sessions are the time to test drinks, solid food and energy products rather than try something new on race day.

As a training reference, some ultrarunning guidance suggests taking 40 to 60 grams of carbohydrates per hour, adjusted to each runner’s tolerance. It is not a universal figure or a substitute for individual advice, but it shows why practising in advance matters. Alternating products and taking small portions may be easier than trying to eat a large amount at once.

Hydration also depends on conditions and effort. Drinking according to thirst and adjusting intake to temperature and duration can help avoid both dehydration and forced drinking. An aid-station stop can be used to refill bottles, eat, check the feet and adjust clothing layers. A short stop with a clear purpose is often more useful than repeated breaks without knowing what is needed.

The 18 liquid and 18 solid stations do not remove the need to carry supplies. Before the race, runners should check the route book and confirm the distance between stations, what each one offers and whether drop bags are available. Leaving a station with enough water and food for the next section is especially important when weather, an incident or a delay changes the plan.

The early pace should allow runners to speak in short sentences and keep their breathing under control. That may feel overly cautious in the first kilometres, but it leaves room to manage the second half. In an ultra, consistency does not mean running all the time: purposeful hiking on climbs, jogging on favourable ground and slowing down on technical sections can all be part of an effective strategy.

Equipment for cold, darkness and mountain terrain

Alcoi typically has winter conditions in January, although the specific weather on race day cannot be known reliably many months in advance. As a general climate guide, usual highs in the area are around 12 to 14 degrees Celsius, while lows can fall to roughly 2 to 6 degrees. Rain is not constant, but it can occur; at higher elevations, wind and damp can make it feel colder.

Layering makes it easier to respond to temperature changes than relying on one very thick garment. A waterproof jacket, a dry thermal layer and protection for hands, head and neck may matter in such a long race. The final mandatory-equipment list depends on the edition’s rules and the organizers’ requirements, so the final list should be checked before travelling.

Lighting deserves particular attention because the race includes many hours of darkness. A reliable headlamp, enough spare power and a second light source reduce the risk of losing visibility in the middle of the course. Phones and navigation devices also need to stay charged during an event that could approach the 37-hour cutoff.

Shoes should provide suitable grip for trails and uneven ground, as well as enough room to avoid squeezing feet if they swell. Tested socks, lubricant and a familiar blister-prevention routine can stop a small irritation from growing with every kilometre. Poles may help on some climbs, but runners should practise carrying and using them beforehand; bringing poles without experience can become a nuisance.

A comfortable pack, tested and organized, prevents runners from searching blindly for each item. The emergency blanket, whistle and jacket should be accessible, not buried under food. Separating dry layers and electronics in waterproof bags can help protect them. The most useful gear is familiar and easy to find, not necessarily the heaviest.

January cold and attention to safety

Detailed forecasts will only be useful closer to race day. In the days beforehand, runners should check temperature, rain, wind and conditions at higher elevations, and follow any updates from the organizers. A mild morning in the valley does not guarantee the same conditions on an exposed ridge several hours later, especially when runners are travelling at night in damp clothing.

Long stops can cool the body quickly. Runners should take care of what is needed at each station, add a dry layer if necessary and get moving again without unnecessary delays. If rain makes rocks and roots slippery, extra caution is essential, particularly on descents. Fatigue also reduces concentration, so the safety margin should not shrink just as tiredness peaks.

Organizers may update mandatory equipment based on the forecast. That possibility matters in mountain races: an additional layer, a second headlamp or specific protection can change from precaution to requirement. Checking the rules and official updates avoids relying on information from previous editions or third-party summaries.

The route should be loaded onto the device runners will use and, if possible, made available offline. It also makes sense to check the phone, the emergency contacts provided by organizers and navigation functions. Safety starts before the race, with simple steps that reduce the need to improvise in cold weather, poor visibility or an emergency.

A race for runners with mountain experience

The combination of distance, elevation, changing terrain and darkness makes the PRO 160K one of the region’s most demanding trail-running events. Completing an asphalt marathon is not enough on its own: preparation should include hours in the mountains, climbs and descents, strength training and nutrition practice. Runners must also accept that running and hiking may alternate for much of the course.

Experience helps runners interpret the body’s signals and decide when to adjust pace, eat or deal with a blister. But experience does not eliminate uncertainty. Weather, trail conditions and physical response can all change the initial plan. The soundest strategy leaves room to adapt instead of relying on a rigid schedule that makes no allowance for setbacks.

Organizers say the PRO offers two direct-entry places to the TOR330 through the TORX eXperience network. The race is also recognized by ITRA and includes events with a UTMB Index. That competitive context adds appeal for runners who follow international trail running, although the main consideration should be being genuinely prepared for a 160-kilometre winter ultra.

Alcoi as the start and finish point

Plaza Ferrándiz y Carbonell is both the start and finish, making Alcoi the setting for the decisive moments of the race. From there, the route heads into the mountain ranges and returns to town after many hours in the hills. For spectators, knowing schedules and accessible points will depend on the logistical information released by the organizers.

Travel, accommodation and bib pickup should be arranged in advance, using the official time slots. Event information reviewed for this article includes pickups on different days and at specific venues depending on the race format. Schedules can change, so runners should not rely on details from a previous edition or another distance.

The race takes place when afternoons are short and nights are long. That timing directly shapes the experience: much of the course will be completed without natural light. The mountains will also become a journey of changing perception, from afternoon brightness to the chill of early morning and, for those still racing, the daylight hours of the following day.

A finish line that begins long before race day

Ultramediterrània turns the mountains of inland Alicante into a multi-day challenge, but the 160-kilometre race concentrates its difficulty into one long journey exposed to winter conditions. The date is set for Jan. 22, 2027, with a 2 p.m. start in Alcoi and a 37-hour cutoff. Elevation, darkness and changing surfaces will make every decision count.

Preparing for a distance like this means more than adding kilometres. It requires mountain experience, strength and nutrition training, familiarity with equipment and an acceptance that pace must adapt to the terrain. In a race of this scale, ambition can get runners to the start; patience and attention are what keep them moving when many hours of trail still lie ahead.

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