15 MLK Azpeitia 26K 2027

A short but intense mountain race over the Izarraitz massif, starting and finishing in Azpeitia's main square with a paella waiting at the finish: the 15 MLK Azpeitia 26K (known as Domusa Teknik 15 MLK) is the 26 km version of one of the best-loved mountain events in Gipuzkoa, run under the motto "Herritik herriarentzat", from the town, for the town. General information: - The 4th edition takes place on Saturday 2027-05-08, starting and finishing in the Plaza Mayor of Azpeitia. - It is organised by the Azpeitiko Lagun Onak Mendi Bazkuna club. - There are 400 places. - It has a strong female presence: in the previous edition half of the runners were women, and in recent seasons places have been reserved specifically for them. Why it is special: - It climbs Izarraitz and Xoxote (912 m, the highest point), with views over the Urola valley and the Gipuzkoa coast. - It is supported by around 400 volunteers and dozens of local businesses, and Azpeitia has a festive atmosphere on race day. - The records belong to Aritz Egea (2:02:13) and Ikram Rharsalla (2:20:38), with a 100 € bonus for breaking them. - It is an ideal way to enjoy Azpeitia's big mountain day without tackling an ultra. Course: the race covers 26 km with about 1,400 m of elevation gain and the same loss (2,800 m cumulative). The lowest point is Azpeitia, at 80 m. There are 5 aid stations: - Aizpuru behekoa (km 4.6) - Larrume Txiki (km 8.9) - Izarraizko Atea (km 14.7) - Pistako langa (km 17.7) - Xoxote (km 20.7) There is solid food at Izarraizko Atea and at the finish, where there is also paella. The GPX track can be downloaded from the official website. Timetable: - The start is at 09:00 from the Plaza Mayor, and the time limit is 5 hours (finish closes at 14:00). - There is a cut-off at Izarraizko Atea (km 14.7) at 11:45, which is 2 h 45 min into the race. - It is a single start, with no start corral by finishing time. The setting: Azpeitia lies in the heart of the Urola valley in Gipuzkoa, surrounded by mountains such as Izarraitz, Hernio and Xoxote. It is a land with a strong mountaineering tradition, with farmhouses, beech woods, meadows and tracks linking the villages of the area. The valley is also known for the Sanctuary of Loyola, on the outskirts of town, and for its food and local produce, which feature in the runner's bag. Getting there: Azpeitia is about 45 minutes by car from Donostia-San Sebastián and roughly an hour from Bilbao and Vitoria-Gasteiz, via the AP-8 motorway and the Urola valley road. There are regional buses from Donostia and Zumaia. Arrive early on race day, as the town fills up and the start is right in the centre. Registration and prices: bibs are allocated by draw. Registration on RockTheSport is open from 2026-11-03 (18:00) to 2026-11-09. The draw is on 2026-11-13 at 18:30 at Azpeitia town hall, and the fee is 45 €. Bib pickup: the place and times for bib collection in 2027 will be announced later; the regulations are being updated. The runner's bag includes local products. There is no expo; Azpeitia's Plaza Mayor is the meeting point, and the prize-giving is at 20:00. Mandatory gear: the 2027 regulations have not been published yet; check them before the race. Tips: although it is 26 km, the elevation makes it a demanding race, with long climbs and technical descents on mountain terrain. Train on hills in the weeks before, study the GPX profile and pace yourself to the Izarraizko Atea cut-off. After the effort, the paella and the atmosphere in the square are the best reward. Bib exchange: the organiser has not published any name change or refund options. As bibs are allocated by draw, do not count on transferring your place. No official waiting list has been announced. Alternatives to get a bib: enter the draw within the registration window. If you are not selected, join the waiting list on Bibready with a bib alert. You can only use bib exchange on Bibready if the organiser allows it. FAQ: - When is it? On 2027-05-08 at 09:00. - How long is it? 26 km with about 1,400 m of elevation gain. - How much does it cost? 45 €. - How do I get a bib? By draw; registration runs from 2026-11-03 to 2026-11-09. - What is the time limit? 5 hours.