The itinerary of the test celebrates the landscape and natural value of the province of Castellón.

Penyagolosa Trails returns from October 15 to 17 in the 22nd edition of Marató i Mitja (MiM), of 60 kilometers, and 9 in the Castelló – Penyagolosa race (CSP), of 110 kilometers. The sport competition has consolidated in recent years one of the most complete and attractive routes on the national scene, touring some of the greatest natural treasures that the province of Castellón enjoys, most of them protected, valuing the wealth of the area. While promoting knowledge and enjoyment of the route, the event applies a series of measures and good practices to protect and conserve the natural environment.

In general terms, this edition maintains the route presented in 2019, except at the start, where both tests, unlike previous years, will leave from the same location: the Universitat Jaume I de Castelló (UJI). In addition, in order to ensure the health and safety of all persons involved in the event, the organization has considered and coordinated various scenarios to adapt quickly and effectively to the different health contexts that may occur at the time of the test.

First section: Castelló – Les Useres

As on previous occasions, the MiM and the CSP share the route in the first section between Castelló and Les Useres, although this time, both starting from the Universitat Jaume I de Castelló. The test begins heading towards the Hospital de La Magdalena, reference point to face the first big climb that lets you glimpse the landscape of contrasts characteristic of the province and the high level of demand that requires the challenge. The so-called Tossal Gros de Castellón has 2.66 kilometers of distance, 234 m+ and an average climb of 9%, data that show the important effort and control since the beginning of the test.

From here the runners make their way to Borriol, alternating sections by technical path, more “runners” and sections of track. Once past Borriol, it will face a new demanding climb of 2.55 km with 236m+, and a 14% average climb. The runners will pass through impressive historical and scenic enclaves of the municipality, such as the Pedra de Borriol, from where you can already glimpse in the distance the Penyagolosa, the Pou de Mollet or the Mas de Panero.

Once the CV-160 has been saved, the next target will be the Bassa de les Oronetes. The road continues along the bed of the Barranc de les Parres before starting the climb to the Mas de Polinàrio. From this reef, the road to the victualling is done by track.

After this refreshment, the famous Rambla de la Viuda will lead the participants along a path to the Tossal del Segall, before descending strongly to the Barranc de les Olles. Before arriving at Les Useres, the runners will face several strict climbs until reaching the foothills of the village and the third supply. It is at this point that the paths of both trials are separated.

Second MiM section: Les Useres – Sant Joan de Penyagolosa

MiM participants face the equator of the test through the GR33-Camí dels Pelegrins. This road, which runs through the municipalities of Les Useres, Llucena del Cid, Xodos and Vistabella del Maestrat, has a transcendental historical value in the province, having been throughout history the main way of communication between farmhouses and towns.

The steep ravines and the mountains are the most common landscape of the entire journey through the splendid landscape of the Macizo de Penyagolosa. Once past the Serra de la Creu, the next point of reference will be the hermitage of Sant Miquel de Torrosselles, the last fortification of Arab origin before reaching the adjacent municipality. Before reaching it, it will be necessary to go up and down the Mas de la Vall. In total, it is a stretch of 2.67 kilometers and 141 m+. From here you will climb the Lloma Bernat, 4.8 kilometers and 490m+, which will be the prelude to one of the most complex climbs, physically and mentally, of the whole test: the climb to Xodos.

After descending both by path and by track, the participants will face 3.22 kilometers and 129 m+ (very concentrated in the final stretch) until they reach Xodos, a town presided over by the keep of its old Arab castle that has spectacular views. At this point, the test will have left 50 kilometers behind and the last 10 kilometers will be ahead.

From Xodos, the race starts on the track and soon after start climbing one of the most important and decisive sections of the race, the Marinet, a complicated stretch of 3.51 km and 375 m+ to reach the Pla de la Creu. From there, you will take an old road that already existed before building the tracks to enter the Banyadera in the Penyagolosa Natural Park, a landscape paradise and biodiversity without precedent of great value for the whole Valencian Community. In it is the second highest point of the community (1813 m.s.n.m) and the most desired by the participants: the Penyagolosa. Once you reach the Banyadera, you resume the path and an undulating descent, which will lead to the last great enclave: Sant Joan de Penyagolosa, where you will find the finish.

This sanctuary receives numerous pilgrimages year after year, dating back to the Middle Ages, and is one of the most symbolic religious sites in the province. Undoubtedly, the ideal place to finish an experience as intense and enriching as Penyagolosa Trails.

Second CSP section: Les Useres – Sant Joan de Penyagolosa

At this point, while the MiM route turns off towards Torresselles, the CSP participants board the next 74 kilometers to the finish line. The route will make the runners climb El Piló, 704 meters above sea level, right on the border between both municipalities, with 4.4 kilometers and 317 m+. After this demanding climb, you descend to Les Foies, cross the Barranc del Castell and take the road back to Atzeneta del Maestrat, where you will find the fifth supply.

Once the village is left behind and after a few kilometers by the PR, the runners face the dreaded “wall”, an old azagador that leads us to the next stop in the old campsite of Benafigos. At that time, the runners will arrive at the equator of the event.

The race continues in the direction of Culla, a medieval village situated on top of a hill, 1,100 meters high. To reach it, the route combines ancient paths between farmhouses to the river Montlleó. Once crossed the river, begins the climb to Penyacalva, known for its rocky pediment full of broken edges, its contrasts of colors, and its great length and height. This is a difficult climb, especially at the beginning, until the last stretch that runs along the track to Culla.

Once past this reef and left behind Culla, the route is linked to the GR7, one of the largest long trails in the country, which will lead by path to the Mas de Campos, point after which the path is smoothed through slides, with shade and holm oaks vegetation. This road ends at the hermitage of Sant Bartolomeu, eighth victualling, necessary to replenish forces.

Between Sant Bartolomeu and Vistabella, the journey continues by slides through the Mas de Salvador. From Vistabella begins the descent to the Barranc dels Molins, from there new ascent to the Mas de l’Albagés and, after a gentle slope, resume the slides to Xodos, where is one of the most spectacular views of the route: a descent in track from where you can see the small village at the foot of a large molar.

From here, the test reaches its final stretch, the last 14 kilometres. Although in Xodos they converge, again, both races, the start of each one of them is different, leaving the CSP for the old road of Villahermosa, to travel the low area of the Mas de Gargant and to reach the Mas del Collao to face the last challenge of the race.

With the imposing south face of the peak of the Penyagolosa in the background, the path reaches to the Fuente del Paso and presents a last but intense ascent to the Mas de la Cambreta, to 1.539 meters above sea level, the highest point of the CSP. Once passed, the finish of Sant Joan de Penyagolosa will be waiting after more than 100 kilometers of effort and sacrifice touring much of the province.

Penyagolosa Trails, a key event in the sports calendar of Castellón, is only a month away. 

 
The use of a mask is mandatory at several points along the route. 

A month before the celebration of Penyagolosa Trails, the team organizing the trail running event focuses on the necessary equipment so that the participants can face the race with all the guarantees. The correct planning of clothing, footwear and material is an essential condition to avoid mishaps and ensure the highest performance. This edition, scheduled from 15 to 17 October 2021, will be marked by a special attention to health regulations, due to the health context.

The organization of Penyagolosa Trails has made available to the participants a list with the mandatory and recommended equipment for the MiM and CSP. As they state in their regulations, this material “will be checked at start and finish” and can be reviewed again at any other point in the rac

Although little distinction is made between the material needed for both modes of racing, there are some particularities to consider depending on whether the runner faces to 60 km, in the case of the MiM, or 110 km, in the case of the CSP. Among the materials common to both tests, the participant will find: a glass or container, a thermal or survival blanket with a minimum of 1.40 m x 2 m, a hat, cap, bandana or visor to protect the head from the sun, containers for liquids with a minimum capacity of 1 liter and an operating mobile phone, loaded and with the number provided. In the case of CSP a front light with replacement batteries (or two front lights) and a rear red light (Warning Safety Brake) are mandatory. This last tool is highly recommended for MiM runners, as the sunrise time is at 07:15 while the start of the race is at 06:00.

In the recommended material section, valid for both tests, the organization of Penyagolosa Trails includes: a whistle, a backpack or fanny pack with minimum capacity of 3 liters, sunscreen and food reserve, beyond the supply points that runners will find during the tour. As far as clothing is concerned, it is recommended to equip yourself with pants or tights with a length below the knees, windproof jacket with long sleeve with hood, long sleeve thermal T-shirt or sleeves, sunglasses and suitable footwear.

Mask, compulsory at some points along the route

The Covid-19 pandemic has made it necessary to include one more element in this list: the mask. This element of protection against the virus will be mandatory in some sections of the route or during access to some services. Thus, the runners must carry it in the area of delivery of race numbers, at the start of the race and until the relevant withdrawal signs, in the areas of victualling and on arrival, to continue with the circuit of departure. In addition, it will be required when accessing medical services, the trophy delivery area, cloakroom service and during bus trips. Finally, the organization requires wearing masks on sections that cross an urban core.

These masks, as well as the containers needed to drop them without affecting the natural environment, will be available at the agreed points.

In this way, Penyagolosa Trails ensures the safety of the runners who participate in the MiM and the CSP, but, at the same time, appeals to the particular responsibility of each of them for their own protection and that of the others. 

 

The 2022 edition will go back to being held in April, more specifically from the 22nd to the 24th.

The 2021 Ultra-Trail® Show ended with a large Spanish delegation and with the meeting of international organizers and sponsors.

The 2021 Ultra-Trail® Show, an event organized within the framework of The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® in the French town of Chamonix, has concluded after four days bringing together the world’s trail running elite. Penyagolosa Trails has once again been present at this grand sports event, thanks to the support of the Castellón Provincial Tourism Board. Numerous elite runners, participants, family members and volunteers who support the Castellón race visited the organization of Penyagolosa Trails at stand 120, as they continue to promote Castellón as a benchmark for the circuit of international trails, along with proclaiming and adding value to the natural environment of the Penyagolosa Natural Park and its surroundings, where both the ultra trail CSP (110 kilometers) and the MiM (60 kilometers) pass by and finish.

On locals to the Province of Castellón taking part at UTMB sports competitions

Raquel Casares from C.A. Onda, a local to the province of Castellón, arrived in third place at MCC, with the mark of 04:48:09. Also local to Castellón, Roberto Juan Herrera, runner at the Club Amics Volta al Terme Fondeguilla, got the sixteenth place at TDS, with a mark of 22:29:00. And at CCC, María Obrero Catalán, from C.M. Vistabella, has arrived in the fifteenth place with the mark of 15:22:25.

Penyagolosa Trails 2022

A mere month and a half separate us from the 2021 edition of Penyagolosa Trails, which will take place between October 15th and 17th. However, the organization has already announced the dates for its 2022 edition, which will be held from April 22nd to 24th, returning to its usual format during spring, after the necessary postponement of this year’s edition due to the global health pandemic. Pre-registrations for the 2022 edition will open in November.

The team of Penyagolosa Trails announces the dates of its next edition: from 22 to 24 April 2022.

The French town of Chamonix hosts, from 23 to 27 August, the 2021 Ultra-Trail®️ Show, a meeting dedicated to trailrunning and its protagonists. The event, organized as part of The Ultral-Trail du Mont-Blanc ®️, is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors.

Penyagolosa Trails, thanks to the support of the Council of Tourism of Castellón Province, has been attending this event since 2012 uninterruptedly, always with the aim of positioning the province of Castellón (Spain) as a reference in the international trail circuit and spreading the natural and landscape environment of the Penyagolosa Natural Park and its surroundings. The 2021 Ultra-Trail®️ Show is a key event to position the Valencian Community as “La Comunitat de l’Esport”, a sports region. Penyagolosa Trails will be located at stand 120, in the area equipped for exhibitors, composed of wooden huts and with access by Mont-Blanc Avenue.

Dates for the 2022 edition

The organization of Penyagolosa Trails has taken advantage of the event to announce the date of its 2022 edition, from April 22 to 24. They will recover their normal development, in the spring, after a period of postponement required by the health alert. It should be recalled that the 2021 edition will be held from 15 to 17 October.

The 2021 Ultra-Trail®️ Show aims to bring together trail professionals to share their passion under the symbol of coexistence and sports ethics. For four days the 10,000 runners from the five continents, the Chamonix Mont-Blanc public, brands and sponsors, as well as race organizers from all over the world will gather around the show. During the days in which the event takes place animations and concerts will be held and will be offered to the attendees typical food of the town.

The race numbers are limited, and the organization predicts a large influx of registrants. 

The sporting event will be held from 15 to 17 October.

There are less than a hundred days left for Penyagolosa Trails to return, after a virtual edition in 2020 and a postponement of dates for its 2021 edition. In February of this year, despite having adopted strict protocols of action, the organization decided to postpone the event to ensure the safety of all people, acting with the maximum responsibility given the global health situation originated by the COVID-19.

Recently the organization announced the next registration opening, which will be on July 19 at 19:00, filling out the online form (www.localhost/penyagolosa). Thus, this registration period begins for those registered who didn’t have a choice, in time for everyone to be able to prepare properly, considering a low risk scenario and the increase of the vaccination rate, which will allow races to be held with health guarantees. Vacant positions will be filled as follows:

Penyagolosa Trails MiM: only those preregistered in the last draw who haven’t had the option to apply for a race number will have the option to confirm their race number in a direct registration system, until the available vacancies are completed.

Penyagolosa Trails CSP: since all the preregistered participants in the last draw have already had the option of race number, a direct registration system is established, until the available vacancies are completed.

The registration confirmation period will be from 19:00 on 07/19/2021 until 19:00 on 07/31/2021 or until the available vacancies are completed.

The study has been prepared by the Ecology Department of the Autonomous University of Madrid, whose members will also be present at the Presentation Act. 

The organization has announced that the registrations for the 2021 Edition will start on Monday, July 19 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Diputació de Castelló has presented the Environmental Assessment Report of Penyagolosa Trails, which analyzed the environmental impact caused by the Ultra Trail CSP (110 kilometers) and the MIM (60 kilometers), considered exemplary mountain races in the national sports calendar. Both races start in Castelló de la Plana and culminate in the Sanctuary of Sant Joan de Penyagolosa. After having been postponed due to the global health situation caused by the COVID-19, this year the races will be extraordinarily held from October 15 to 17.

Attending the presentation act, which took place at the Province’s Cultural Center Las Aulas de Castelló, were the Sports Deputy Tania Baños; Penyagolosa Trails’ Director Tico Cervera; Professor of Ecology and Doctor Javier Benayas, from the Autonomous University of Madrid, and the Environmental Consultant Miguel Faucha, creators of the report. This reflects the commitment from Diputació de Castelló, the main sponsor of the event, and the Organization of Penyagolosa Trails, to adopt measures that help minimize the impacts on fauna, flora and goods of cultural interest that may be caused by the sports competition, since it takes place in a protected natural space. In addition, the mayors of the municipalities through which the MIM and the CSP pass by have also been present, as well as collaborating clubs.

Tania Baños, head of the Sports Area of the Diputación, highlights the importance of this study, “which emphasizes what we have been defending for a long time: that it is necessary to respect and preserve in good condition our natural heritage while making a rational use of it, so that it can be enjoyed by lovers of sports in nature; and through this generate development opportunities in our countryside villages”. In her opinion, “to preserve our landscape is a completely different thing from removing humans from it”. She explained that “when people are banned from the natural environment, it becomes unsustainable”.

Tico Cervera, director of Penyagolosa Trails, has underscored the strong will of the Organization for voluntarily allocating resources and worrying about understanding the possible environmental impacts they could be causing. They did so by looking for external teams of professionals that could assess what they were doing well and in which aspects they could improve, by taking appropriate measures by experts outside of the organization.

It should be noted that there is an evident concern with guaranteeing the sustainability of this type of races in the proceedings of the organization. In fact, in 2017 Penyagolosa Trails was certified by the UNE-EN ISO 20121:2013 standard, regarding the management systems of sustainable events. With this, it became the first international trail event to hold such recognition, thus joining the few sports events around the world that hold this certification standard, such as the London Olympic Games, the Barcelona World Race, and Roland Garros. This made it possible to adopt a series of measures and good practices that are extremely important.

For its part, the Department of Ecology of the Autonomous University of Madrid has highlighted that “the key to making this type of sports event compatible with the preservation of the locations where it takes place is a solid and real collaboration between government institutions’ researchers and scientists; the promoters of these events; and of course, the local population that lives in that specific location and make a living out of it”. Likewise, in the words of Benayas: “The Trail world must assume its role in the preservation of the same nature from which it finds its sustenance and continue working towards a sport that is increasingly sustainable to the environment. Without nature and culture, without the landscapes and the richness of each environment in which this sport is practiced, the races themselves lose much of their value”. The authors of the report have publicly applauded the attitude of Penyagolosa Trails when it comes to betting on scientific studies on how their races affect the natural environment of Castellón, putting its conservation first and showing openness to improve certain aspects to respect nature.

To close the event, the organization of Penyagolosa Trails has revealed that the opening of the registrations for the present edition of 2021 will be on Monday, July 19 at 7:00 pm.

 

About the Penyagolosa Trails environmental assessment report

In general, the report shows that the activity analyzed in this study does not generate serious or irreversible environmental impacts on the environment, as they can be limited and controlled. It is an initiative based in the territory that works towards sustainability and respect for the natural, social, and economic environment of the region.

Among the measures that are proposed, always in a coordinated manner and in collaboration with the competent bodies, are: the restoration of sections deteriorated due to their natural and cultural value, the installation of obstacles and intensive signaling during the course of the races, warnings to the runners on the existence of sections of greater sensitivity through posters and volunteer work, or the attempt to reduce the number of attendees in the finish area, together with an assessment of certain logistical changes.

In this way, the organization of Penyagolosa Trails will continue working to guarantee the balance between minimizing the impacts on the surroundings of the Sanctuary and its maintenance as an emblematic point of this sporting competition; betting on awareness and dissemination around issues of good environmental conduct by all the agents involved.

About the opening of registrations

For reasons of safety, respect for the environment and quality, it is necessary to limit the number of participants. Registrations will be exclusively made by filling in the online form (www.localhost/penyagolosa). In this edition, the majority of participants will come from the registrants of the previous editions postponed due to the pandemic. Vacancies will be filled as follows:

Penyagolosa Trails MiM: only those pre-registered in the last draw who could not opt for a race number will have the option of confirming their number in a direct registration system, until the available vacancies are completed.

Penyagolosa Trails CSP: since all those pre-registered in the last draw have already had the option of a number, a direct registration system is established, until the available vacancies are completed.

The registration confirmation period will go from 7:00pm on 07/19/2021 until 7:00pm on 07/31/2021, or until the available vacancies are completed.

The organization of Penyagolosa Trails decides to move the event to October to celebrate this edition with the greatest guarantees

Penyagolosa Trails has been forced to postpone the event to be held in April due to the health situation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, the MiM and the CSP will take place from the 15th to 17th of October.  The director, Tico Cervera, regrets having to assume this new postponement, but is confident and optimistic that next autumn it will be celebrated.

In recent months, the organization of Penyagolosa Trails has worked on the adaptation of security protocols to celebrate the event and the processing of all the necessary permits, in order to be able to hold the event in April.  Despite the improvement of the situation over the past two weeks, contagion data still shows much fragility and uncertainty about the restrictions that will be adopted in the coming weeks and that directly affects the holding of an international event such as Penyagolosa Trails. Tico Cervera explains that “It is hard to be forced to postpone the race again, but we know that our first priority is to ensure the safety of everybody: runners, volunteers, staff, the public and the local population in general”. In addition, he added that “although the evolution of the pandemic keeps being positive as these last two weeks, there are restrictions that would make it difficult to organize and hold two races like the MiM and the CSP and, with this uncertainty we think that the most responsible action is to move the event to October”.

Tico Cervera also wanted to thank again the support of the Council of Castellón and all the sponsors who have understood the decision and supported it. Finally, the director of the race pointed out that “the pandemic is preventing us from holding Penyagolosa Trails in April, but it will take place sooner than later we will enjoy again this world reference trail race and a key event to position the Valencian Community”.

 

Registration process

Those runners who had a bib for the 2021 edition will have the option of choosing to switch their bibs to the October 2021 edition or change it to the 2022 edition. In the case that a runner decides not to dispute any of these editions, its payment will be totally reimbursed.

In the coming weeks, an email will be sent to all runners who already have a bib to inform them of the deadlines in which they will have to decide which option they choose.

We are in an extremely serious health situation, especially in the Valencian Community. Currently, according to the indicators, we are at alert level 4, extreme risk. Therefore, the Generalitat Valenciana has adopted very restrictive measures, which are intended to slow down the number of contagions, hospital admissions and deaths of this third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. We hope that these measures will have an effect and that in the upcoming weeks we will see a clear improvement in the health situation.
From the organization we are working  to obtain the necessary permits to hold the races, as well as carrying out the protocols to ensure the safe celebration of the event. Our desire is to be able to organize a new edition of Penyagolosa Trails on schedule, but it will depend on how the pandemic evolves. Therefore, a final decision on the holding of the event will be communicated by mid February.

We understand the uncertainty felt by many runners who want to be on the starting line of the MiM or the CSP and who are doing all the preparation. We share the same feeling, but the first priority of the organization of Penyagolosa Trails HG has always been to ensure the safety of everyone: runners, volunteers, organizational staff, public and local population in general. And this is going to remain our priority when it comes to making a final decision.
Now is the time to take care and act with individual responsibility. If we do it, we will begin to bend the curve of this third wave of the pandemic.

Best wishes and much health!

We thought it would be possible! With the new normality we wanted to come with an edition of Penyagolosa Trails HG special for everyone, which had also aroused the interest of some of the best runners in the world. We knew it wasn’t going to be as usual, but we were confident we could get it. We counted on the effort and enthusiasm of everyone, with your spirit of overcoming and the incessant support of the Provincial Council and our sponsors. We kept the same illusion of always, the one that we put in every race and the same that helps us to do, every year, the best possible edition.

But, unfortunately, today we announced the news we didn’t want to give you. The celebration of Penyagolosa Trails HG is postponed to the 2021 edition, which will take place between the 23rd and 25th of April, 2021.

The first priority of the organization of Penyagolosa Trails HG has always been to ensure the safety of all the people: runners, volunteers, organizational staff, public and local population in general. Our hope was that the overall situation and sanitary conditions would be good enough to hold the races in October. Unfortunately, circumstances are far from adequate to ensure the necessary security conditions.

It’s a very hard time for everyone. During this confinement and in recent months we have worked in coordination with the health and territorial authorities, to develop a safe action guide for the organization of the event. We have also stocked all the hygienic and sanitary materials to meet all the guidelines of that contingency plan that made the celebration safe. But the evolution of the pandemic in the world and in our country is hopeless and the prospects do not offer the necessary security guarantees.

We make this decision from the responsibility and thinking that we do the most reasonable in this difficult situation that we live. We would have liked to have enjoyed this historic edition with everyone again, but now we think there is a different priority. The priority is the health and responsibility we have towards our people and our province.

We don’t want to say goodbye without telling you we’ll be back. This will go away and we will feel the nerves of the start line, the laughts with our friends, the suffering in Les Useres, the emotion of arriving at Sant Joan de Penyagolosa, in the heart of the Natural Park, the hugs of our people, the tears to overcome our goals… Penyagolosa Trails will return in 2021 and it will continue to be a world reference and a key event to position the Valencian Community as the Comunitat de l’Esport.

All this will come back and Penyagolosa Trails HG will be waiting for you to feel these emotions altogether.

Stay safe,

Penyagolosa Trails organization

FAQ

1. What about my 2020 race number?

All registrants of Penyagolosa Trails HG will automatically be registered in the 2021 edition without any management.

Runners who prefer to request the refund of the full amount of the October 2020 registration can do so through the following link until September 11:

GO TO THE ENTRY LIST

2. Will there be a draw for Penyagolosa Trails HG 2021?

No, there will be no draw for the 2021 edition as, by default, all current entries will remain for 2021.

This section will be updated regularly on the website as we have news.

3. I have even more doubts

On the other hand, remember that you can ask us and/or send us your suggestions to info@localhost/penyagolosa. We are at your disposal, COVID-19 will go away!

These are days when we have to be at home, with the family. We have done some activities dedicated to families, to better pass this confinement. Today we show you these sheets in pdf, prepared to print and paint. We will be doing more, so that you can spend time with children

CLICK ON THE NAME AND THE SHEET IN PDF WILL OPEN AND PREPARE TO PRINT

• Santuario de Sant Joan
• We are the Champions
• Arroz
• Medalla CSP
• Medalla MiM
• Nutrinovex y Anitin