Desafío Urbión vs Madrid Alpine Marathon
Desafío Urbión (37km, 2600m D+) vs Madrid Alpine Marathon (44km, 2500m D+). Side-by-side comparison: distances, elevation, difficulty, mandatory gear and registration. Which one suits you best?
Advanced 
Advanced Physical profile
| Desafío Urbión | Madrid Alpine Marathon | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 5 September 2026 | 14 June 2026 |
| Terrain | Mountain | Mountain |
| Difficulty | Advanced | Advanced |
| Max elevation gain | 2,600m D+ | 2,500m D+ |
Distances — Desafío Urbión
| Name | Km | D+ |
|---|---|---|
| Desafío Urbión 37K | 37 | 2,600 |
| Open 16.5K | 16.5 | 1,200 |
| 6K | 6 | 300 |
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 Urbión | Madrid Alpine Marathon | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Covaleda, Castile and Leon | Cercedilla, Community of Madrid |
| Distance between venues | 166 km | |
| Registration opens | 1 January 2026 | 27 February 2026 |
| Registration closes | 25 August 2026 | 5 June 2026 |
| Mandatory Gear | 6 mandatory items | 6 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit | Visit |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Desafío Urbión
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Accommodation
Desafío Urbión
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Gear
Desafío Urbión
-
Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for bothSalomon
-
Salomon ADV Skin 12Salomon
-
-
Gore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryRecommended for bothGore Wear
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for both
Salomon
- Gore Wear R7 GTX ShakedryRecommended for both
Gore Wear
-
Buff ThermonetBuff
-
Lifesystems Thermal BlanketLifesystems
-
Salomon Soft Flask 150 mlSalomon
Nutrition
Desafío Urbión
-
Maurten Gel 100Maurten
-
226ERS Isotonic DrinkRecommended for both226ERS
-
Dátiles Medjool DorimedDorimed
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- 226ERS Isotonic DrinkRecommended for both
226ERS
-
-
Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet LatinoGourmet Latino
Transport
Desafío Urbión
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Car Rental
Desafío Urbión
-
Recommended for both -
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Desafío Urbión
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Body Care
Desafío Urbión
-
Compeed Ampollas Medianas DuploCompeed
-
Lurbel Desafío FourLurbel
Madrid Alpine Marathon
-
Julbo AerospeedJulbo
-
Buff CoolNet UV+Buff
Sun Protection
Desafío Urbión
-
Piz Buin Mountain SPF 50+Piz Buin
-
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
-
- Recommended for both
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 Urbión. In terms of elevation gain, Desafío Urbión 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 Urbión 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
Compare Spain's best trail running races side by side. Analyze distances, elevation, registration prices, mandatory gear and the complete Pack 360 to make the best decision.