Finestrat, Alicante
Costa Blanca Trails
Friday, 13 November 2026
GTCB 102K
102km D+ 6020m
UTCB 66K
66km D+ 4160m
MCB 41K
41km D+ 3100m
TPC 20K
20km D+ 2180m
MTF 17K
17km D+ 1010m
Your checklist for Costa Blanca Trails
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
0 of 12 ready
Swipe to see all 13 categories
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Mandatory
Windproof jacket
Essential for November summits
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Salomon Bonatti WP
GPS watch
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Polar Pacer Pro
Ultra-light: just 41 g
Downside: No multi-band GPS
Gear
Trail shoes with grip for limestone rock and technical terrain
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)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
Semi self-sufficiency: carry gels, bars and electrolytes between aid stations
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Maurten Gel 100
Hydrogel technology: excellent gastric tolerance
Downside: High price compared to other gels
Sun Protection
Night races (102K, 66K) will need sun protection at dawn
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)ISDIN Fusion Water Sunscreen SPF 50+
Ultralight texture, feels invisible on skin
Downside: Small format (50 ml), may run short on ultras
Body Care
Vaseline on chafe-prone areas before the start (feet, armpits, groin)
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)After Bite Xtra Gel
Immediate relief from processionary caterpillar irritation
Downside: Strong ammonia smell
Car Rental
AP-7 and motorways connect the entire Costa Blanca
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)DRIVALIA CarCloud Country Plus
Mandatory · GTCB 102K, UTCB 66K
Headlamp
Mandatory for the night starts (23:00)
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Petzl Actik Core
Mandatory
Emergency blanket
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Lifesystems Thermal Blanket
Mandatory
Emergency whistle
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Fox 40 Classic
Mandatory
Charged mobile phone
With sufficient battery for the entire race
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Generic Running Waist Pack with Phone Pocket
Mandatory
Reusable cup
Cup or soft flask mandatory at aid stations
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Salomon Soft Flask 250 ml
High-flow valve: quick sips without hard biting
Downside: Pricier than generic Amazon flasks
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.
Seasonal kit
Costa Blanca Trails runs into the night: low-light kit
Main and backup headlamp, battery, pre-dawn layers and night-time fuelling.
See the full kit : Night Trail Running Kit: What to Carry in Autumn and Winter Races With Short DaylightYou may also need: Rain and Mud Trail Running Kit 2026: What to Bring to a Wet Race · What to Wear for Cold-Weather Trail Running 2026: The Complete Layering Kit
Mandatory Gear
According to the official race regulations
HeadlampGTCB 102K, UTCB 66K
Mandatory for the night starts (23:00)
Windproof jacket
Essential for November summits
Emergency blanket
Emergency whistle
Charged mobile phone
With sufficient battery for the entire race
Reusable cup
Cup or soft flask mandatory at aid stations
Items tagged “Mandatory” are in the checklist above, with a recommended product.
Race data
Terrain
Ultra Trail
Difficulty
Elite
Distance
5 modalities
GTCB 102K
- Distance
- 102 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 6020m
- Max Time
- 27h
UTCB 66K
- Distance
- 66 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 4160m
- Max Time
- 18h
MCB 41K
- Distance
- 41 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 3100m
- Max Time
- 12h
TPC 20K
- Distance
- 20 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 2180m
- Max Time
- 6h
MTF 17K
- Distance
- 17 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 1010m
- Max Time
- 5h
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| GTCB 102K | 102 km | D+ 6020m | 27h |
| UTCB 66K | 66 km | D+ 4160m | 18h |
| MCB 41K | 41 km | D+ 3100m | 12h |
| TPC 20K | 20 km | D+ 2180m | 6h |
| MTF 17K | 17 km | D+ 1010m | 5h |
Will your watch battery last the ~27 h of Costa Blanca Trails?Worked out for the longest course (102 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchCosta Blanca Trails 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
Best Neck Gaiter (Buff) for Trail Running 2026: Comparison & Buying Guide
See comparison
Best Trail Running Headlamps 2026: 12 Models Compared
See comparison
Best GPS Watches with Offline Maps 2026: Value Comparison
See comparison
Best Trail Running Poles 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide
See comparison
Historical weather
What to wear at 15 °C: guide and kit →
Typical weather for the race date (10-year average)
Temperature
12°C – 20°C
Average 16°C
Rain
20%
0.7 mm avg
Wind
14 km/h
max. average
Sunshine hours
8h
daily average
Forecast for 13 November
Weather forecast from Open-Meteo (may change until race day)
Costa Blanca Trails
Costa Blanca Trails is one of the most important trail running events in the Valencian Community. From Finestrat (Alicante), five mountain races traverse the Aitana, Puig Campana and La Serrella ranges, crossing some of the most spectacular landscapes in the Mediterranean. The three main distances (102K, 66K and 41K) are UTMB Index Races.
The races
- GTCB 102K — The flagship race. 102 km with 6,020m D+ across all the ranges of the Marina Baixa. Starts on Friday at 23:00 with a 27-hour time limit.
- UTCB 66K — 66 km with 4,160m D+. Also starts on Friday at 23:00 with an 18-hour time limit.
- MCB 41K — 41 km with 3,100m D+. The marathon distance through the most iconic summits. 12-hour time limit.
- TPC 20K — 20 km with 2,180m D+. The Puig Campana trail, a short but intense race.
- MTF 17K — 17 km with 1,010m D+. The Mountain Trail Finestrat, ideal for beginners.
The 102K also features a relay option for two-runner teams.
The course
The routes run through the mountain ranges of the Marina Baixa, a succession of limestone mountains rising from the coast to nearly 1,600 metres. The terrain is technical: rocky trails, ravines, exposed ridgeline sections and steep descents. Runners pass through the municipalities of Finestrat, Polop, Benimantell, Benifato, Sella, Fageca, Confrides and more.
Pure Mediterranean mountain
The Serra d’Aitana (1,558m), Puig Campana (1,406m) and La Serrella form a natural amphitheatre above the coast. Pine and oak forests, almond trees on the hillsides, springs and ravines. In November, the summits may dawn with frost while the coast enjoys pleasant temperatures. It’s the perfect combination of technical mountain and Mediterranean climate. Read our ITRA points guide to understand how the UTMB Index system works.
Finestrat, the perfect base
Finestrat is a town with two faces: the medieval old quarter perched on the slopes of Puig Campana and the coastal area just 10 minutes from Benidorm. That proximity to the Costa Blanca’s tourist infrastructure — hotels, restaurants, transport — makes logistics simple, without losing the mountain character. After crossing the finish line, the Mediterranean is just a step away.
Use our time estimator to set realistic goals for the GTCB 102K, and review the mandatory gear guide to prepare. Explore more races in the Comunidad Valenciana.
360Complete Pack
Costa Blanca Trails 2026 Registration
RegistrationFive distances for all levels, from the MTF 17K to the GTCB 102K. The three longest races are UTMB Index Races.
Tips
- •Registration opens on May 18, 2026
- •GTCB 102K, UTCB 66K and MCB 41K are UTMB Index Races
- •Relay option (2 runners) on the 102K
- •Semi self-sufficiency required in all distances
Where to stay for Costa Blanca Trails
AccommodationFinestrat and Benidorm (10 minutes away) offer a huge range of accommodation.
Tips
- •Finestrat: ideal base right at the start/finish
- •Benidorm (10 min): huge range of hotels and apartments
- •La Nucía and Polop: quieter options 10-15 minutes away
- •November is low season on the coast: very affordable prices
Gear for Costa Blanca Trails
GearTechnical Mediterranean mountain with major elevation changes. The Aitana and Puig Campana ranges combine rocky trails, ravines and ridgeline sections.
Tips
- •Trail shoes with grip for limestone rock and technical terrain
- •Headlamp mandatory: the 102K and 66K start at night (23:00)
- •Poles highly recommended for the long distances
- •Windproof jacket and thermal layers: November summits drop below 5°C at night
Which shoes for Costa Blanca Trails?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for Costa Blanca Trails?
Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time
Black Friday trail running 2026: 31 products worth buying (and how to tell if the deal is real)
What to buy for trail running on Black Friday 2026 (27 November): GPS watches, shoes, headlamps, vests, poles, winter layers and recovery gear worth buying, what to skip, and how to check whether a discount is real before you buy.
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.
Nutrition for Costa Blanca Trails
NutritionThe 102K lasts up to 27 hours and the 66K up to 18 hours. Nutrition and hydration management are critical.
Tips
- •Semi self-sufficiency: carry gels, bars and electrolytes between aid stations
- •Aid stations on course with liquid and solid food
- •For the 102K, plan real food for the night hours
- •The 41K and shorter distances: 2-4 gels and electrolytes may be enough
Best salt tablets and sodium capsules for running 2026
A comparison of the 7 best salt tablets and sodium capsules for running and trail 2026: 226ERS Sub9 Salts, Crown Pro Salt Caps, Victory Endurance, Precision Hydration PH 1500 and more. How many salt tablets to take per hour, how to calculate your sweat rate and which format to choose.
How to get to Finestrat
TransportFinestrat is on the Alicante coast, between Benidorm and Villajoyosa, with excellent connections.
Tips
- •Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC) 50 km away (40 minutes)
- •From Valencia: 1h 30min via the AP-7
- •From Madrid: 4h via the A-31 and AP-7
- •Frequent buses from Benidorm and Alicante
Car rental for Costa Blanca Trails
Car RentalCar recommended to reach Finestrat and explore the Costa Blanca.
Tips
- •AP-7 and motorways connect the entire Costa Blanca
- •Useful for exploring the inland villages (Guadalest, Confrides, Sella)
Sports insurance for Costa Blanca Trails
InsuranceSemi self-sufficient mountain races with technical sections and significant elevation changes.
Tips
- •Federation licence or day insurance required
- •Medical certificate may be required for long distances
- •Nearest hospital in La Vila Joiosa (15 min) or Benidorm
- •Travel insurance with sports coverage for international runners
Body care for Costa Blanca Trails
Body CareEffort of up to 27 hours on technical mountain terrain. Preventing chafing and blisters is key.
Tips
- •Vaseline on chafe-prone areas before the start (feet, armpits, groin)
- •Technical anti-blister socks: essential for long distances
- •For the 102K: carry extra vaseline and plasters in your vest
- •Change socks at life bases (102K and 66K)
Sun protection for Costa Blanca Trails
Sun ProtectionNovember on the Costa Blanca: moderate UV radiation but with many hours of exposure on long distances.
Tips
- •Night races (102K, 66K) will need sun protection at dawn
- •SPF 50 sunscreen on face, neck and arms
- •Lip balm with SPF for windy ridgeline sections
- •Cap or visor for the midday hours
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is Costa Blanca Trails 2026?
- November 13-15, 2026. The long distances (102K and 66K) start on Friday at 23:00. Shorter distances take place on Saturday.
- What distances does Costa Blanca Trails offer?
- Five races: GTCB 102K (6,020m D+), UTCB 66K (4,160m D+), MCB 41K (3,100m D+), TPC 20K (2,180m D+) and MTF 17K (1,010m D+). There is also a relay option on the 102K.
- Where is the start and finish?
- Start and finish in Finestrat (Alicante). The course passes through Polop, Benimantell, Benifato, Sella, Fageca, Confrides and more.
- Is it a UTMB qualifier?
- Yes, the GTCB 102K, UTCB 66K and MCB 41K are UTMB Index Races and award ITRA points.
- When does registration open?
- Registration for the 2026 edition opens on May 18, 2026.
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