XVII CxM Carrera Pencona vs X CxM Sierro
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona (21km, 1200m D+) vs X CxM Sierro (24km, 1100m D+). Side-by-side comparison: distances, elevation, difficulty, mandatory gear and registration. Which one suits you best?
AdvancedXVII CxM Carrera Pencona
Aldeanueva de la Vera, Cáceres, Extremadura
AdvancedPhysical profile
| XVII CxM Carrera Pencona | X CxM Sierro | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 31 May 2026 | 3 May 2026 |
| Terrain | Mountain | Mountain |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Max elevation gain | 1,200m D+ | 1,100m D+ |
Distances — XVII CxM Carrera Pencona
| Name | Km | D+ | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carrera Pencona 21K | 21 | 1,200 | 5h |
| Mini Pencona 11K | 11 | 500 | 2h |
Distances — X CxM Sierro
| Name | Km | D+ | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| CxM 24K | 24 | 1,100 | 4h30 |
| MiniCxM 12K | 12 | 680 | 4h30 |
Logistics & costs
| XVII CxM Carrera Pencona | X CxM Sierro | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Aldeanueva de la Vera, Cáceres, Extremadura | Sierro, Andalusia |
| Distance between venues | 419 km | |
| Registration opens | — | — |
| Registration closes | — | 29 April 2026 |
| Mandatory Gear | 7 mandatory items | 3 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit(opens in a new tab) | Visit(opens in a new tab) |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona
No recommendations
X CxM Sierro
No recommendations
Accommodation
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona
No recommendations
X CxM Sierro
No recommendations
Gear
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona
Recommended for both
X CxM Sierro
- Recommended for both
Nutrition
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona
Recommended for both
Gourmet Latino Guava Sandwich(opens in a new tab)Gourmet Latino
X CxM Sierro
- Recommended for both
Precision Fuel & Hydration PH 1500(opens in a new tab)Precision Fuel & Hydration
Transport
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona
No recommendations
X CxM Sierro
No recommendations
Car Rental
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
X CxM Sierro
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Insurance
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona
No recommendations
X CxM Sierro
No recommendations
Body Care
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona
After Bite Xtra Gel(opens in a new tab)After Bite
Squirrel's Nut Butter Anti-Chafe Cream(opens in a new tab)Recommended for bothSquirrel's Nut Butter
Recommended for both
X CxM Sierro
- Squirrel's Nut Butter Anti-Chafe Cream(opens in a new tab)Recommended for both
Squirrel's Nut Butter
- Recommended for both
Sun Protection
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
X CxM Sierro
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Terrain and elevation
Both races share the same terrain classification (Mountain). On its longest distance, XVII CxM Carrera Pencona climbs around 57m per km versus 46m/km on the other race — the higher that ratio, the steeper and more technical the climbs tend to be.
Location and travel
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona (Extremadura) and X CxM Sierro (Andalusia) sit roughly 419km apart — worth factoring into travel plans if you're weighing both for the same season.
Entry price
XVII CxM Carrera Pencona is the cheaper entry, starting from €15 versus €18 for X CxM Sierro — a €3 gap on the entry-level distance.
Time of year
Both races take place in May, so you'll have to pick one per season. X CxM Sierro falls right in its region's recommended window.
Mandatory gear
The two mandatory gear lists don't overlap at all. XVII CxM Carrera Pencona additionally requires Hooded windproof jacket, Emergency thermal blanket, Water container and 4 more; X CxM Sierro additionally requires windbreaker, hydration capacity of at least 1L, mobile phone with battery.
Summary
If you're looking for a longer distance, X CxM Sierro is the choice. If you prefer a shorter and more accessible race, consider XVII CxM Carrera Pencona. In terms of elevation gain, XVII CxM Carrera Pencona is the more demanding option. Both races offer a complete Pack 360 with everything you need for race day.
Frequently asked questions
Which is harder, XVII CxM Carrera Pencona or X CxM Sierro?
When does each race take place?
How many distances does each race offer?
What type of terrain does each race have?
Do I need the same mandatory gear for both?
Plan your race
Gear up for the mountains
The right gear makes the difference on race day. Our comparison guides to choose well.
Swipe to see all 4 categories
Some links are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.