Desafío Galayos 2026 vs Madrid Alpine Marathon
Desafío Galayos 2026 (20km, 1200m D+) vs Madrid Alpine Marathon (44km, 2500m D+). Side-by-side comparison: distances, elevation, difficulty, mandatory gear and registration. Which one suits you best?
Intermediate
AdvancedPhysical profile
| Desafío Galayos 2026 | Madrid Alpine Marathon | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 13 June 2026 | 14 June 2026 |
| Terrain | Mountain | Mountain |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Max elevation gain | 1,200m D+ | 2,500m D+ |
Distances — Desafío Galayos 2026
| Name | Km | D+ |
|---|---|---|
| Trail 20K | 20 | 1,200 |
Distances — Madrid Alpine Marathon
| Name | Km | D+ | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Marathon 44K | 44 | 2,500 | 9h |
| Cross Alpino del Telégrafo 19K | 19 | 1,050 | — |
Logistics & costs
| Desafío Galayos 2026 | Madrid Alpine Marathon | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Arenas de San Pedro, Ávila, Castile and Leon | Cercedilla, Community of Madrid |
| Distance between venues | 105 km | |
| Registration opens | — | 27 February 2026 |
| Registration closes | — | 5 June 2026 |
| Mandatory Gear | 0 mandatory items | 6 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit(opens in a new tab) | Visit(opens in a new tab) |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Desafío Galayos 2026
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Accommodation
Desafío Galayos 2026
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Gear
Desafío Galayos 2026
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Recommended for both
Nutrition
Desafío Galayos 2026
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Gourmet Latino Guava Sandwich(opens in a new tab)Gourmet Latino
Transport
Desafío Galayos 2026
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Car Rental
Desafío Galayos 2026
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Desafío Galayos 2026
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Body Care
Desafío Galayos 2026
Squirrel's Nut Butter Anti-Chafe Cream(opens in a new tab)Recommended for bothSquirrel's Nut Butter
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
Leukotape P Sports Tape(opens in a new tab)BSN Medical (Leukotape)
- Squirrel's Nut Butter Anti-Chafe Cream(opens in a new tab)Recommended for both
Squirrel's Nut Butter
- Recommended for both
Sun Protection
Desafío Galayos 2026
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Terrain and elevation
Both races share the same terrain classification (Mountain). On its longest distance, Desafío Galayos 2026 climbs around 60m per km versus 57m/km on the other race — the higher that ratio, the steeper and more technical the climbs tend to be.
Location and travel
Desafío Galayos 2026 (Castile and Leon) and Madrid Alpine Marathon (Community of Madrid) sit roughly 105km apart — worth factoring into travel plans if you're weighing both for the same season.
Entry price
Madrid Alpine Marathon starts from €29 for its shortest distance; Desafío Galayos 2026 hasn't published pricing yet.
Time of year
Both races take place in June, so you'll have to pick one per season. Desafío Galayos 2026 falls right in its region's recommended window. Madrid Alpine Marathon falls right in its region's recommended window.
Mandatory gear
The two mandatory gear lists don't overlap at all. Madrid Alpine Marathon additionally requires mobile phone, cup, windproof jacket and 3 more.
Summary
If you're looking for a longer distance, Madrid Alpine Marathon is the choice. If you prefer a shorter and more accessible race, consider Desafío Galayos 2026. In terms of elevation gain, Madrid Alpine Marathon 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, Desafío Galayos 2026 or Madrid Alpine Marathon?
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