Zegama-Aizkorri 2026

If you’re looking for the race that will take you through every emotion—from mystical ecstasy on top of Aizkorri to wanting to cry when you look at your shoes full of mud—you’re in the right place 🤣. Welcome to Zegama, a small village in the province of Gipuzkoa, where people don’t just speak Castilian (well, Spanish 🤣), but above all Euskara, the unique Basque language that echoes through the valleys 🗣️. This department, the smallest in Spain by area, is a concentration of culture where the mountains literally plunge into the Atlantic 🌊. Naturally, that means an oceanic climate: with legendary humidity that quickly turns the trails into mud baths, even in the month of May 🌧️. But before you can even hope to set foot on these paths, you’ll have to face the most dreaded ordeal: the lottery draw 🎲. With thousands of applications for only a few hundred bibs available (around 500 for the main race), getting the precious pass is seriously tough 😣. But it’s precisely this exclusive side and the difficulty of getting in that fuel the myth: "Zegama is Zegama" 🏃‍♀️.

The main character of this race is the Zegama-Aizkorri Mendi Maratoia, a marathon mountain race of 42.195 kilometers that only has “marathon” in the distance 😬. With a cumulative positive elevation gain of 2,736 m (and a total of 5,472 m of altitude change ⛰️), it’s a technical monster ✨. Ahhh yes, we’re not on a Berlin Marathon-style course here... 🤓 Right from the start in Zegama at 296 m altitude, you’ll climb toward the Aratz massif to reach the four highest peaks of the Basque Autonomous Community 📍. The high point, Aketegi, will look down on you from its 1,551 m 🔝, and the terrain profile will be a constant challenge. 50% of the route is considered very technical, alternating between slippery limestone slabs and narrow forest trails 🌲. The paths cross legendary places like the San Adrian tunnel, this natural cave cut through by an ancient Roman road 🏛️. But beware: the 8-hour cut-off is there to remind you this is not a leisurely stroll, but a fight against the clock rock and yourself ⏱️.If you’re not ready yet for the marathon, the weekend offers other challenges that are just as spicy 🌶️. First, a vertical kilometer of 5.2 km with 1,015 m of brutal climbing, or the Junior Trail of 10.4 km and 505 mD+, for the young rising stars of the discipline! 🐣

That said, you can’t talk about this event without mentioning its absolute king: Kilian Jornet 👑. The Catalan athlete made history at the event by claiming his 11th victory in 2024, holding the stratospheric record of 3h36"40' 🥇. Watching him fly along these ridge paths of Aizkorri is a life lesson for any trail enthusiast. If you don’t get the chance to run into him (which is very likely), between the forests and the high-altitude pastures there will still be Latxa sheep! 🐐 It’s a very different encounter, sure—but know that their milk is used to make the famous Idiazabal cheese, which you absolutely have to try after the effort 🧀. But before you think about the buffet, know that Zegama-Aizkorri isn’t just another stop on the skyrunning race calendar of skyrunning—it’s a real festival. With cheers worthy of the biggest mountain passes of the Tour de France! You know, when the crowd screams in your ears to carry you toward the summits 📣. And given what’s in store, every runner will need it! 🤕

Beyond the competition, taking part in this race in Gipuzkoa is total immersion in the Basque soul 💖. Between strides, you might spot symbols of the province like the famous Lauburu (the Basque cross), carved into the stone houses of the villages you pass through 🏘️. If you still have a bit of clarity, remember these mountains have inspired many stories and serve as the setting for films showcasing the harshness and beauty of this wild land 🎥. Finally, local gastronomy—let’s talk about it! 🤌 After the race aid stations, treat yourself to a Basque cider or a few pintxos in the taverns of Zegama 🍷. This race keeps that “good-natured” vibe despite its serious sporting stakes, because here, respect for the mountains is the absolute priority 💝. The organizers also implement strict measures for the sustainability of this fragile environment, proving that tradition and innovation can coexist harmoniously ♻️.

This Spanish race is an ode to verticality, conviviality, and intensity. Ready to give it everything? 🔥