Isasa Trail Xtrem vs Madrid Alpine Marathon
Isasa Trail Xtrem (46km, 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?
Intermediate
AdvancedPhysical profile
| Isasa Trail Xtrem | Madrid Alpine Marathon | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 7 March 2027 | 14 June 2026 |
| Terrain | Trail | Mountain |
| Difficulty | Intermediate | Advanced |
| Max elevation gain | 2,600m D+ | 2,500m D+ |
Distances — Isasa Trail Xtrem
| Name | Km | D+ | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon | 46 | 2,600 | 8h30 |
| Half Marathon | 23 | 1,000 | — |
| Short Race | 16 | 350 | — |
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
| Isasa Trail Xtrem | Madrid Alpine Marathon | |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Arnedo, La Rioja | Cercedilla, Community of Madrid |
| Distance between venues | 231 km | |
| Registration opens | — | 27 February 2026 |
| Registration closes | — | 5 June 2026 |
| Mandatory Gear | 3 mandatory items | 6 mandatory items |
| Official website | Visit(opens in a new tab) | Visit(opens in a new tab) |
Pack 360 — Services
Registration
Isasa Trail Xtrem
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Accommodation
Isasa Trail Xtrem
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Gear
Isasa Trail Xtrem
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Recommended for both
Nutrition
Isasa Trail Xtrem
Recommended for both
Gourmet Latino Guava Sandwich(opens in a new tab)Recommended for bothGourmet Latino
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Recommended for both
- Gourmet Latino Guava Sandwich(opens in a new tab)Recommended for both
Gourmet Latino
Transport
Isasa Trail Xtrem
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Car Rental
Isasa Trail Xtrem
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Insurance
Isasa Trail Xtrem
No recommendations
Madrid Alpine Marathon
No recommendations
Body Care
Isasa Trail Xtrem
Recommended for both
Leukotape P Sports Tape(opens in a new tab)Recommended for bothBSN Medical (Leukotape)
Squirrel's Nut Butter Anti-Chafe Cream(opens in a new tab)Recommended for bothSquirrel's Nut Butter
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Recommended for both
- Leukotape P Sports Tape(opens in a new tab)Recommended for both
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
- Recommended for both
Sun Protection
Isasa Trail Xtrem
Recommended for both
Recommended for both
Madrid Alpine Marathon
- Recommended for both
- Recommended for both
Terrain and elevation
Isasa Trail Xtrem is classified as Trail, while Madrid Alpine Marathon is Mountain — different technical demands on paper. On its longest distance, Isasa Trail Xtrem climbs around 57m 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
Isasa Trail Xtrem (La Rioja) and Madrid Alpine Marathon (Community of Madrid) sit roughly 231km apart — worth factoring into travel plans if you're weighing both for the same season.
Entry price
Isasa Trail Xtrem is the cheaper entry, starting from €20 versus €29 for Madrid Alpine Marathon — a €9 gap on the entry-level distance.
Time of year
Isasa Trail Xtrem runs in March and Madrid Alpine Marathon in June, so both fit in the same season if you want to race them separately. Isasa Trail Xtrem falls right in its region's recommended window. Madrid Alpine Marathon falls right in its region's recommended window.
Mandatory gear
1 item overlaps between both mandatory gear lists. Isasa Trail Xtrem additionally requires cup or container, whistle; Madrid Alpine Marathon additionally requires cup, windproof jacket, gloves and 2 more.
Summary
If you're looking for a longer distance, Isasa Trail Xtrem is the choice. If you prefer a shorter and more accessible race, consider Madrid Alpine Marathon. In terms of elevation gain, Isasa Trail Xtrem 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, Isasa Trail Xtrem 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