Cross de la Pedriza 18K 2027

Granite, scree slopes and passes with views over the whole Sierra de Guadarrama: the Cross de la Pedriza 18K is a demanding, technical mountain race that leaves Manzanares el Real and heads into La Pedriza. With 2,000 m of cumulative elevation gain in just 18 km, it is an intense race, with tough climbs and technical descents, in one of the most beautiful settings in the Madrid mountains. General information: - Date: Sunday 2027-05-09. The previous edition, the 35th, was held on Sunday 2026-05-10. - Edition: it would be the 36th. - Organiser: RSEA Peñalara, with the Tierra Trágame club. The race is part of the Copa de Hierro, Spain's oldest mountain running league, dating back to 1923. - Course B: 18 km with 2,000 m of cumulative elevation gain. - Start: 08:45 in the previous edition, from the town hall square. The finish is in the town hall square of Manzanares el Real. - Time limit: 4 hours. - Categories: junior (19 and 20) and overall. - Places are limited because the race runs almost entirely through the Sierra de Guadarrama National Park. In the previous edition they sold out. Why it is special: - La Pedriza is one of the most spectacular granite landscapes in Europe, and running among its rock formations is a unique experience. - It is one of the oldest mountain races in Madrid, born from Carlos Soria's idea of a climbing cross. - In the previous edition it hosted the Madrid Sky Running Championship. - The course records stand at 1 h 44 min for men and 1 h 57 min for women, which gives an idea of how tough it is. Course: it leaves the square via the Gran Cañada and the Portilla del Yelmo towards the Collado de la Dehesilla, continues via Prado Peluca and the Collado Cabrón to Canto Cochino, and returns via Quebrantaherraduras, the Collado del Perro, the Camino de Peña Sacra and the Avenida de la Pedriza to the square. There are aid stations at the Collado de la Dehesilla (km 6, liquids) and at Canto Cochino (solids and liquids), plus the finish. There are mandatory checkpoints, and the track must be recorded on your watch or phone. The official courses are published on the Copa de Hierro website. Timetable: in the previous edition the start was at 08:45, with cut-offs at the Collado de la Dehesilla at 10:20, at Canto Cochino at 12:00 and at the finish at 12:45. The organiser will confirm the 2027 times. There is no start corral by finishing time: runners line up by pace. Registration and prices: registration is on the Copa de Hierro website via RockTheSport. In the previous edition the prices were: - €22 for FMM federated runners. - €29 for non-federated runners. - €16 for Peñalara members. Platform fees are added to these prices. 2027 prices are still to be published. Bib pickup: in the previous edition it was on race morning, from 07:45 to 08:30, in Manzanares el Real. There is no expo, but the town hall square fills with mountain atmosphere. Services: - Timing at the finish and intermediate points. - Medical service at the finish and medical staff at several points on the course. - Solid and liquid aid stations and a picnic with a drink at the finish. - Commemorative t-shirt. - Category trophies. - Accident insurance for non-federated runners and civil liability insurance. Mandatory gear: gloves and buff, phone, a hooded waterproof or windproof jacket in your size, thermal blanket, a bottle or hydration system or collapsible cup, and the track recorded on a GPS watch or phone. It is checked at the start, at the finish or at any checkpoint. Tips: watch the cut-offs, especially the one at the Collado de la Dehesilla, and train on climbs where you sometimes need your hands. The granite descents call for shoes with excellent grip. Bib exchange: the organiser has not published rules on name changes, bib changes or refunds, so do not assume a place can be transferred. There are no official waiting lists either. Alternatives to get a bib: as places sell out, register as soon as entries open and join the waiting list on Bibready with a bib alert. If the organiser accepts name changes, a bib exchange on Bibready will be possible. FAQ: - When is it? On 2027-05-09. - How long is it? 18 km with 2,000 m of cumulative elevation gain. - What is the time limit? 4 hours. - Is there mandatory gear? Yes, and it is checked before the start. - Can I transfer my bib? The rules do not provide for it.