Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí vs Madrid Alpine Marathon
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí (42km, 2800m D+) vs Madrid Alpine Marathon (44km, 2500m D+). Side-by-side comparison: distances, elevation, difficulty, mandatory gear and registration. Which one suits you best?
Elite
AdvancedPhysical profile
| Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí | Madrid Alpine Marathon | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 27 June 2026 | 14 June 2026 |
| Terrain | Mountain | Mountain |
| Difficulty | Elite | Advanced |
| Max elevation gain | 2,800m D+ | 2,500m D+ |
Distances — Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
| Name | Km | D+ | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon 42K | 42 | 2,800 | 12h |
| Sky 24K | 24 | 1,900 | 7h |
| Speed 12K | 12 | 500 | 3h |
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
| Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí | Madrid Alpine Marathon | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Barruera, Vall de Boí, Catalonia | Cercedilla, Community of Madrid |
| Distance between venues | 449 km | |
| Registration opens | 15 January 2026 | 27 February 2026 |
| Registration closes | 15 June 2026 | 5 June 2026 |
| Mandatory Gear | 5 mandatory items | 6 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit | Visit |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Accommodation
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Gear
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
Salomon Speedcross 6Recommended for bothSalomon
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
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
Maurten Gel 100Maurten
Precision Fuel & Hydration PH 1500Precision Fuel & Hydration
Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet LatinoRecommended for bothGourmet Latino
Madrid Alpine Marathon
226ERS Isotonic Drink226ERS
- Bocadillo de Guayaba Gourmet LatinoRecommended for both
Gourmet Latino
Transport
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Car Rental
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Body Care
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
Julbo AerospeedJulbo
Buff CoolNet UV+Buff
Sun Protection
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí
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, Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí climbs around 67m 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
Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí (Catalonia) and Madrid Alpine Marathon (Community of Madrid) sit roughly 449km apart — worth factoring into travel plans if you're weighing both for the same season.
Entry price
Madrid Alpine Marathon is the cheaper entry, starting from €29 versus €30 for Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí — a €1 gap on the entry-level distance.
Time of year
Both races take place in June, so you'll have to pick one per season. Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí 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. Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí additionally requires cortavientos, telefono, silbato and 2 more; 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 Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí. In terms of elevation gain, Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí 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, Garmin Epic Trail Vall de Boí 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