Photo: Marbella Epic Trail (opens in a new tab)Marbella
Marbella Epic Trail
Saturday, 20 February 2027
Epic Trail 66K
65.89km D+ 5068m
Destroyer 41K
41.5km D+ 2769m
Tragapiedras 35K
35.3km D+ 2470m
Race data
Terrain
Mountain
Difficulty
Advanced
Distance
3 modalities
Epic Trail 66K
- Distance
- 65.89 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 5068m
- Max Time
- 19h
Destroyer 41K
- Distance
- 41.5 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 2769m
- Max Time
- 10h
Tragapiedras 35K
- Distance
- 35.3 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 2470m
- Max Time
- 9h
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | Max Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Epic Trail 66K | 65.89 km | D+ 5068m | 19h | - |
| Destroyer 41K | 41.5 km | D+ 2769m | 10h | - |
| Tragapiedras 35K | 35.3 km | D+ 2470m | 9h | - |
Will your watch battery last the ~20 h of Marbella Epic Trail?Worked out for the longest course (65.89 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchYour checklist for Marbella Epic Trail
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
0 of 6 ready
GPS watch
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Garmin Instinct 3 AMOLED 45 mm
Onboard topo maps, unlike the Instinct 3 Solar
Downside: Shorter battery life than the Instinct 3 Solar (no solar charging or MIP display)
Gear
Shoes with aggressive lugs: wet limestone is very slippery
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(se abre en una pestaña nueva)
Hoka Speedgoat 7
Max Hoka cushioning: protects your legs over long distances
Downside: High stack: less stable for those who want more ground feel
Nutrition
Aim for 60-80 g of carbohydrates per hour in the Epic Trail and mix gels with solid food
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(se abre en una pestaña nueva)
Maurten Gel 100
Tecnología de hidrogel: excelente tolerancia gástrica
Downside: Precio elevado respecto a otros geles
Sun Protection
Sweat-resistant SPF 50 on face, neck and ears
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(se abre en una pestaña nueva)
ISDIN Fotoprotector Fusion Water SPF 50+
Ultralight texture, feels invisible on skin
Downside: Small format (50 ml), may run short on ultras
Body Care
Anti-chafe balm on feet, groin and armpits before the start
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(se abre en una pestaña nueva)
BodyGlide Original Anti-Chafe Balm
Easy-to-apply stick format, even with sweaty hands
Downside: Higher price than traditional petroleum jelly
Car Rental
Pick up the car at Málaga airport
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(se abre en una pestaña nueva)
DRIVALIA Alquiler de vehículos por Suscripción CarCloud Country Plus
Trip logistics
Registration, travel and insurance: what you should have sorted before race day.
Affiliate links: if you buy, we earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Marbella Epic Trail requires mandatory gear: get it sorted early
Buying guides with the best value for money, picked for this kind of terrain.
Swipe to see all 4 comparisons
Historical weather
What to wear at 15 °C: guide and kit →
Typical weather for the race date (10-year average)
Temperature
12°C – 17°C
Average 14°C
Rain
23%
1.4 mm avg
Wind
17 km/h
max. average
Sunshine hours
9h
daily average
Forecast for 20 February
Weather forecast from Open-Meteo (may change until race day)
Marbella Epic Trail
The Marbella Epic Trail brings hard trail running to a place nobody expects it: the Sierra Blanca, the limestone wall that towers over Marbella and the Costa del Sol. Its fourth edition, on 20 February 2027, keeps three distances: the Epic Trail of almost 66 kilometres and more than 5,000 metres of climbing, the Destroyer of 41 kilometres and the Tragapiedras of 35. The organiser itself calls it demanding, technical and unforgiving.
A course of ridges, limestone and pinsapo forest
The terrain is limestone and exposed: open ridges, pinsapo forest and weather that can change within an hour. The Epic Trail is run from dark to dark, starting at 05:00 with up to 19 hours to cover the Sierra Blanca ridge. That is why the mandatory kit is extensive (windproof jacket, thermal blanket, headlamp with rear red light and the SOSfy Help app) and worth checking well in advance.
Three ways into the mountains
- Tragapiedras (35.3 km, 2,470 m D+): the most accessible option, with a 9-hour limit.
- Destroyer (41.5 km, 2,769 m D+): the marathon distance, with a 10-hour limit.
- Epic Trail (65.89 km, 5,068 m D+): the queen race, with a 19-hour limit and proven long-distance experience as a requirement.
All three award ITRA points and finishers receive technical apparel as a keepsake.
Marbella beyond the race
February is low season on the Costa del Sol: good running weather, cheaper hotels and time to stroll the old town or head up to Ronda. The organisation also offers Sierra Blanca Week, with guided hiking, via ferrata and gastronomic experiences. Browse more races in Andalucía and plan your weekend with the planner.
Mandatory Gear
According to the official race regulations
3/4-length tights
Long-sleeved
Minimum 1.20 × 2.10 m
1 L hydration system; the Epic Trail adds a 500 ml bottle
Reusable cup
With rear red light and spare batteries
Charged and with the SOSfy Help app activated
360Complete Pack
Marbella Epic Trail 2027 registration
RegistrationThree distances with registration on Avaibook Sports. Epic Trail places are limited and there is a waiting list once they sell out.
Tips
- •Register early for the Epic Trail: places are limited and afterwards only a waiting list remains
- •Registration includes cancellation insurance
- •Download and activate the SOSfy Help app before the start: it is mandatory for all distances
- •Bib pickup on Friday 19 at the C.C. Plaza del Mar; on Saturday only for the Destroyer and Tragapiedras
Where to stay for the Marbella Epic Trail
AccommodationMarbella has hotels all year round and February means low-season rates. The most practical option is to stay near the Plaza del Mar, where bibs are collected.
Tips
- •Book early if you run the Epic Trail: the start is at 05:00
- •Old town or city centre, a short distance from bib pickup
- •For a Saturday race, Friday night is the one that matters: look for free cancellation
Gear for the Marbella Epic Trail
GearUp to 66 km and 5,068 m D+ over limestone, exposed ridges and pinsapo forest, with an extensive mandatory kit: windproof jacket, thermal blanket, headlamp with rear red light and a hydration system.
Tips
- •Shoes with aggressive lugs: wet limestone is very slippery
- •Poles for the 5,068 m D+ of the Epic Trail and the 2,769 m of the Destroyer
- •Headlamp with rear red light and spare batteries: it is mandatory and the Epic Trail starts in the dark
- •Check that your thermal blanket measures at least 1.20 × 2.10 m
Which shoes for Marbella Epic Trail?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for Marbella Epic Trail?
Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time
Best Neck Gaiter (Buff) for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
Comparison of the best neck gaiters for trail running in 2026: Buff Original, Midweight, Windproof, DryFlx, CoolNet UV+, Thermonet, HANKER and Salomon Merino. Which to pick based on sun, wind, cold or budget.
Best Thermal Base Layer for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
The best thermal base layers for trail running in 2026: Odlo Active Warm Eco, Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis, Craft Pro Hypervent, Under Armour ColdGear, Salomon Agile LS Tee and Odlo I-Thermic. Which to pick based on cold, sweat management, merino wool, compression or built-in wind protection.
Best Trail Running Gaiters 2026: 3-Way Comparison
Comparing the 3 best trail running gaiters in 2026: Salomon Trail Gaiters High, Salomon Trail Gaiters Low and TRIWONDER waterproof gaiters. Which to pick by terrain and budget.
Nutrition for the Marbella Epic Trail
NutritionBetween 5 and 19 hours of effort depending on the distance. In the Epic Trail you need a carbohydrate and salt plan that lasts from dark to dark.
Tips
- •Aim for 60-80 g of carbohydrates per hour in the Epic Trail and mix gels with solid food
- •Add salts: the Costa del Sol sun bites even in February
- •Aid stations offer special dietary options, but carry your own reserve between them
How to get to Marbella
TransportMarbella is in the heart of the Costa del Sol, about 60 km from Málaga airport along the AP-7.
Tips
- •Málaga airport is about 45-50 minutes away on the AP-7
- •Regular buses between Málaga and Marbella
- •For the Epic Trail's 05:00 start, plan your transfer the night before
Car rental on the Costa del Sol
Car RentalWith a car you reach the start early and can explore Ronda, Istán or the white villages of the serranía.
Tips
- •Pick up the car at Málaga airport
- •Confirm the start point and parking with the organisation
Sports insurance for the Marbella Epic Trail
InsuranceA mountain race with exposed ridges and a night start in the Epic Trail. Check the licence or day-insurance requirements with the organisation.
Tips
- •Registration includes cancellation insurance, which does not replace accident cover
- •Valid mountain federation licence or day insurance, as the race rules state
- •Activate SOSfy Help: it is mandatory to take part
Body care for the Marbella Epic Trail
Body CareMany hours of technical descent punish your feet and chafing zones, especially in the Epic Trail.
Tips
- •Anti-chafe balm on feet, groin and armpits before the start
- •Blister plasters in your pack for the Epic Trail
- •Compression socks and a massage gun for recovery afterwards
Sun protection for the Marbella Epic Trail
Sun ProtectionExposed Sierra Blanca ridges and many hours outdoors: on the Costa del Sol the sun bites in February too.
Tips
- •Sweat-resistant SPF 50 on face, neck and ears
- •Protect your lips on the ridges, where there is no shade
- •Reapply at aid stations if you are out for more than 8 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the Marbella Epic Trail 2027?
- The fourth edition takes place on Saturday 20 February 2027. The Epic Trail starts at 05:00, the Destroyer at 08:00 and the Tragapiedras at 09:00.
- What distances are there?
- The Epic Trail is 65.89 km with 5,068 m D+ (19-hour limit), the Destroyer is 41.5 km with 2,769 m D+ (10 hours) and the Tragapiedras is 35.3 km with 2,470 m D+ (9 hours).
- What is the mandatory gear?
- 3/4 tights, a long-sleeved windproof jacket, a thermal blanket of at least 1.20 × 2.10 m, a 1-litre hydration system, a reusable cup, a headlamp with a rear red light and spare batteries, a GPS or watch with the official track, a charged phone with the SOSfy Help app, a whistle and a visible bib. The Epic Trail also requires a 500 ml bottle.
- Where do I pick up my bib?
- At the C.C. Plaza del Mar (ground floor, Calle Camilo José Cela 17, Marbella): Friday 19 February from 12:00 to 20:00 for all distances, and Saturday 20 from 07:00 to 07:45 for the Destroyer and Tragapiedras only.
- Is it suitable for trail beginners?
- No, it is not a race to start with: the organiser describes it as demanding and technical, and the Epic Trail asks for proven long-distance race experience.
- Does it award ITRA points?
- Yes. The Tragapiedras gives 2 endurance and 7 mountain points, the Destroyer 2 and 7, and the Epic Trail 3 and 8.
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