Photo: Organisation UltraHélike (opens in a new tab) / Source (opens in a new tab)Elche
UltraHélike
Saturday, 27 February 2027
UltraHélike 100K
100km D+ 1150m
UltraHélike 50K
50km D+ 900m
Your checklist for UltraHélike
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
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GPS watch
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Garmin Forerunner 265
Highly accurate dual-frequency multi-band GPS
Downside: No onboard topo maps
Gear
Road-to-trail shoe with good cushioning: 100 km of track, dirt road and pavement.
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
Eleven aid stations give you plenty of chances: use them for solid food, not just water.
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
Sweat-resistant SPF50 cream, reapply at aid stations
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
Anti-chafe balm on armpits, thighs and feet
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Julbo Aerospeed
Photochromic lenses: adapt from forest to summits
Downside: Higher price compared to non-photochromic glasses
Car Rental
Book in advance and check the mileage policy
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)DRIVALIA 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.
Seasonal kit
UltraHélike 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: What to Wear for Cold-Weather Trail Running 2026: The Complete Layering Kit
Race data
Terrain
Trail
Difficulty
Intermediate
Distance
2 modalities
UltraHélike 100K
- Distance
- 100 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 1150m
- Max Time
- -
UltraHélike 50K
- Distance
- 50 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 900m
- Max Time
- -
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | Max Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| UltraHélike 100K | 100 km | D+ 1150m | - |
| UltraHélike 50K | 50 km | D+ 900m | - |
Will your watch battery last the ~16 h of UltraHélike?Worked out for the longest course (100 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchGear up for UltraHélike
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
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Best GPS Watches with Offline Maps 2026: Value Comparison
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Best Trail Running Hydration Vests 2026: Comparison and Buying Guide
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Historical weather
What to wear at 15 °C: guide and kit →
Typical weather for the race date (10-year average)
Temperature
8°C – 18°C
Average 13°C
Rain
7%
0.3 mm avg
Wind
20 km/h
max. average
Sunshine hours
9h
daily average
Gear recommendations
Bring thermal layers (low of 8°C)
Buff
Buff Thermonet
Thermal tubular Buff with Primaloft technology. Traps body heat, ultralight and versatile: hat, neck gaiter, headband. Ideal for high mountain.
Craft
Craft Pro Hypervent LS Wind Top
Thermal top with a windproof ripstop panel on the chest and a highly ventilated soft jersey back. Built for high-intensity sessions in cold, windy conditions, with long cuffs and thumb loops.
HANKER
HANKER Thermal Neck Gaiter
Unisex thermal seamless neck gaiter in Soft Air Plus fabric (97% polyester). Seamless fit designed for trail running, cycling, motorcycling and outdoor sports. A budget alternative to Buff for moderate cold.
Icebreaker
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis LS Crewe
Long-sleeve thermal top in 100% merino wool (200g). Natural temperature regulation, genuine multi-day odor resistance and a soft, non-itch handfeel from the fine merino yarn.
Odlo
Odlo Active Warm Eco
Long-sleeve thermal base layer made from recycled fabric with anti-odour treatment. Active thermal regulation, ideal as a base layer in the mountains.
Odlo
Odlo I-Thermic Women's Longsleeve
Women's long-sleeve thermal top with insulating panels placed over cold-sensitive areas (lower back and kidneys). A mid-layer built for genuinely cold winter conditions, mountain outings or cross-country-style trail sessions.
ROCKBROS
ROCKBROS Thermal Windproof Balaclava
Thermal windproof balaclava covering head, ears, cheeks and neck. Designed for cycling and motorcycling, it works just as well on windy, freezing trail runs.
Salomon
Salomon Agile LS Tee
Lightweight quick-dry polyester long-sleeve tee with underarm mesh, a side pocket and reflective details. Works as a standalone layer in mild cold or as a base layer under a windbreaker on colder days.
Salomon
Salomon Cross Run Tight
Long trail tights with stretchy, breathable fabric. Adjustable waist, zipped back pocket. Protection from cold and vegetation.
Salomon
Salomon Cross Warm Glove
Thermal running gloves with a non-slip palm and touchscreen fingertips. Light, warm and compatible with poles.
Under Armour
Under Armour ColdGear Armour Compression Mock
Compression thermal top with a dual-layer fabric: ultra-warm brushed interior and quick-dry exterior. Second-skin compression fit with stretch mesh panels at the back and underarms for ventilation without losing warmth.
Under Armour
Under Armour ColdGear Armour Compression Mock (Men's)
Men's high-neck thermal compression top: brushed interior that holds heat and a quick-dry outer. Base layer for cold-weather runs.
Forecast for 27 February
Weather forecast from Open-Meteo (may change until race day)
UltraHélike 2027: 100 km through the orchards and wetlands of Elche
UltraHélike is Elche’s ultra-distance race and an outlier on the Spanish calendar: 100 km with only 1,150 m of climbing. There is no climb to break the race, so the challenge is different: hold the pace, manage the distance and do not get bored of running. The start is at Plaza de Baix in the city centre and the finish at Paseo de la Estación.
Two distances, one spirit
The 100K starts at 8:00 with eleven aid stations and a cap of 1,500 bibs. The 50K starts at 10:00, with 900 m of climbing and five aid stations, and is the gateway to ultra distance for anyone not ready for 100 km. Both share the race philosophy: covering the municipality of Elche and its most special corners, from the historic Palmeral to the El Hondo wetlands.
The route
The course is a patchwork of farm tracks, dirt roads, irrigation channels and urban sections. The Palmeral of Elche, a UNESCO World Heritage site, appears at several points, and the El Hondo area delivers the loneliest and most wind-exposed kilometres. In February the thermometer sits between 12 and 20 °C by day with cool dawns: near-perfect conditions for running long, as long as the westerly wind stays away.
Entry and logistics
The 100K costs 90 € and the 50K 70 €, plus booking fees, with optional cancellation insurance refunding 60% until 10 January 2027. After that date the bib can only be sold through the official marketplace. Elche is 20 minutes from Alicante and 15 from the airport, with high-speed and commuter rail, and both start and finish are in the centre: no car needed all weekend.
For more ultras nearby, see the other races in the Valencia region and build the trip with the planner.
Who it is for
For anyone wanting a first 100 km where the mountains are not the problem, and for road runners moving to trail who do not want to give up fast paces. If you want climbing and technical terrain, this is not your race; if you want a first ultra you can finish with your head, it is one of the best on the calendar.
360Complete Pack
Entry and bib marketplace
RegistrationThe 100K costs 90 € and the 50K 70 €, plus booking fees. The field is capped at 1,500 bibs for the 100K and 500 for the 50K, and entries open in phases.
Tips
- •Add the cancellation insurance when you enter: 10 € (7 € for the 50K) and it refunds 60% of the fee.
- •From 10 January 2027 there are no refunds or bib transfers; after that only the official bib marketplace works.
- •Keep bib, insurance and medical details in the race page and check them before collection.
Where to stay for UH
AccommodationBook accommodation near the start in advance: the race weekend fills the area.
Tips
- •Look for accommodation within 30 min of the start
- •Book months ahead if the race falls on a holiday weekend or in summer
Kit for a flat ultra in February
GearFebruary in Elche is mild: 12-20 °C by day and cool at dawn, with humid stretches in the Palmeral and El Hondo. The problem is not the cold, it is the repetitive surface.
Tips
- •Road-to-trail shoe with good cushioning: 100 km of track, dirt road and pavement.
- •Change socks mid-race: the humidity of the palm grove multiplies blisters.
- •Light waterproof in case the westerly wind picks up, plus a jacket for the dawn finish.
Which shoes for UltraHélike?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for UltraHélike?
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.
Fuel for 100 km on the flat
NutritionWith no real climbs it is easy to go too fast in the first hours. Eat solid food from km 20 and keep a steady intake of carbs and salt.
Tips
- •Eleven aid stations give you plenty of chances: use them for solid food, not just water.
- •Salt from the first hour: on flat ground at mild temperatures you sweat more than you think.
- •No new products: test the aid station brand on your long runs.
Getting to Elche
TransportElche is 20 minutes from Alicante on the A-7 and 15 from Alicante-Elche airport, with high-speed and commuter trains to Madrid and Valencia. Start and finish are in the centre, no car needed.
Tips
- •Park in the central car parks (Avenida de Alicante, Plaza de Barcelona): the start is five minutes away on foot.
- •Arriving by high-speed train, Elche station is a 15-minute walk from Paseo de la Estación, where the finish is.
- •Book a central hotel so you do not depend on the car before or after.
Car rental for UH
Car RentalA car makes it easier to reach the start and get around before and after the race.
Tips
- •Book in advance and check the mileage policy
- •Useful if your accommodation is far from the start
Sports insurance for UH
InsuranceCover your participation with insurance that includes medical assistance and mountain rescue.
Tips
- •Check that it covers the race format and elevation gain
- •Review rescue cover if the race is in the mountains
Sun protection for UH
Sun ProtectionSun exposure takes its toll on long races, especially on exposed sections and at midday.
Tips
- •Sweat-resistant SPF50 cream, reapply at aid stations
- •Protect lips, ears and neck
Body care for UH
Body CareKilometres and descents punish feet and skin: anti-chafe balm and blister patches prevent DNFs.
Tips
- •Anti-chafe balm on armpits, thighs and feet
- •Blister patches in your pocket
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is UltraHélike 2027?
- On 27 February 2027. The 100K starts at 8:00 and the 50K at 10:00 from Plaza de Baix in Elche; the finish is at Paseo de la Estación.
- How much climbing does UltraHélike have?
- 1,150 m of positive elevation over 100 km and 900 m over 50 km. It is one of the flattest ultras in Spain: the challenge is the distance and pacing, not the mountains.
- How many aid stations are there?
- Eleven aid stations on the 100K and five on the 50K, with physiotherapy at several of them and app-based tracking for supporters.
- Who organises UltraHélike?
- ACD PLE, the cultural and sports association of the Elche Local Police, with support from Elche City Council and the Alicante Provincial Council.
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