40 MLK Azpeitia 2027

Nine summits, 65 kilometres and thousands of metres of climbing across the mountains of the Urola valley, starting and finishing in Azpeitia's main square: the 40 MLK Azpeitia (known as Domusa Teknik 40 MLK) is one of the most prestigious mountain ultras in Gipuzkoa. Its motto says it all: "Herritik herriarentzat", from the town, for the town. General information: - The 6th 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. - The limit is 550 runners. In the previous edition about 580 runners took part, and female participation almost doubled. - The course is listed as an "ISF Skyrunning Certified Course 2027". The organiser has also posted news on its website about the European Skyrunning Champs 2027. Why it is special: - Local involvement is huge: around 400 volunteers and about 80 shops and businesses support the race. - The course links Arroita/Arauntza, Sañu, Gazume, Hernio (1,078 m, the highest point), Murumendi, Izaspi, Hiruarrieta/Samiño, Munoaundi and Xoxote. - There is prize money of 800 € for the winners, plus a txapela and a basket of local products, and a 300 € bonus for breaking the record. - The current records are held by Borja Zubizarreta (5:53:33) and Gemma Arenas (7:04:56). Course: the race covers 65 km with about 3,700 m of elevation gain and the same loss (7,400 m cumulative; the organiser also advertises it as "4,000 metres of gain"). The lowest point is Azpeitia, at 80 m. There are 9 aid stations: - Komizulotza (km 8.7) - Iturburu (km 19) - Maramendi lepoa (km 27) - Mandubi (km 33.9) - Pagotxeta (km 41.6) - Larrume Txiki (km 48.3) - Izarraizko Atea (km 53.8) - Pistako langa (km 56.8) - Xoxote (km 59.7) At the finish there is food, drinks and pasta. The GPX track can be downloaded from the official website. Timetable: - The start is at 08:00 from the Plaza Mayor, and the time limit is 12 hours. - The cut-offs are Iturburu (km 19) at 11:30, Mandubi (km 33.9) at 14:00, Izarraizko Atea (km 53.8) at 17:15 and the finish at 20:00. - The prize-giving is at 20:00 in the Plaza Mayor. - 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, as in the previous edition. Registration on RockTheSport is open from 2026-11-03 (18:00) to 2026-11-09, and the draw is on 2026-11-13 at Azpeitia town hall. The 2027 price has not been published in the information available. 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, and those who finish within the time limit receive a FINISHER garment. There is no expo; Azpeitia's Plaza Mayor is the heart of the event. Mandatory gear: the 2027 regulations have not been published yet. Check them before the race, as an ultra of this level usually requires safety gear. Tips: it is a demanding ultra, with many changes of pace between long climbs and technical descents. Train for cumulative climbing and descents in the weeks before, study the GPX track and plan how to manage the Iturburu, Mandubi and Izarraizko Atea cut-offs. Carry a headlamp in case the day runs long, and check the forecast: in May the weather in the Gipuzkoa mountains can change quickly. 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 08:00. - How long is it? 65 km with about 3,700 m of elevation gain. - How do I get a bib? By draw; registration runs from 2026-11-03 to 2026-11-09. - What is the time limit? 12 hours. - What is the highest point? Hernio, at 1,078 m.