The 42nd edition of the Subida al Pico Veleta will take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, starting at 7 a.m. from the Templete del Paseo del Salón. Runners will face a continuous 50-kilometer ascent finishing near Pico Veleta, on what organizers describe as the highest paved road in Europe.
The route carries an elevation gain of 2,705 meters, testing competitors' physical and mental endurance. Organizers have divided the course into seven sectors, each marked with its own warnings and recommendations for participants.
Aid stations and cut-off times
Organizers have set up 14 aid stations along the route, with solid food reinforcement at kilometers 22, 32 and 40, as well as at the finish line. Strict cut-off times will apply to keep the race flowing; runners must reach kilometer 25 within a maximum of 3 hours and 45 minutes.
Security will be handled by the Directorate General of Traffic, the Local Police, Civil Protection and the Army's MADOC training and doctrine command. Sports oversight will fall to judges from the Andalusian Athletics Federation.
Last year's winners
Moroccan runner Rachid El Morabity won the previous edition of the race with a time of 3:56:48. Jordi Gamito finished second in 4:07:25, followed by Antonio Martín Romero in 4:10:45.
In the women's competition, Azara García de los Salmones of Cantabria took the win with a time of 4:48:05.
