Photo: Club Corredores Africanus (opens in a new tab) / Source (opens in a new tab)Melilla
El Último León
Saturday, 30 January 2027estimated date
Backyard loop (6.706 km/h)
6.706km D+ 150m
Backyard ultra format
Complete format guide: rules, gear and strategy
Your checklist for El Último León
What you need, category by category, with our #1 pick for this race. Tick what you already have.
0 of 6 ready
Swipe to see all 7 categories
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GPS watch
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)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
Trail shoes with good grip for pine forests and tracks
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Nike Ultrafly
ZoomX foam: exceptional energy return inherited from the Vaporfly
Downside: High price (190 EUR)
Nutrition
Hot food from the first evening hours
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
Tape or patches on hot spots before the start
Done, you already have it
View on Amazon →(opens in a new tab)Squirrel's Nut Butter Anti-Chafe Cream
Car Rental
Taxi or walking are viable options to reach the venue
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
El Último León 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
Mixed
Difficulty
Elite
Distance
1 modalities
Backyard loop (6.706 km/h)
Price: 15 EUR
- Distance
- 6.706 km
- Elevation Gain
- D+ 150m
- Max Time
- 1h
| Modality | Distance | Elevation Gain | Max Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard loop (6.706 km/h) | 6.706 km | D+ 150m | 1h | 15 EUR |
Will your watch battery last the ~1 h of El Último León?Worked out for the longest course (6.706 km). See which watches reach the finish with GPS on and which die on the way.Check my watch Check my watchGear up for El Último León
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
20%
0.9 mm avg
Wind
25 km/h
max. average
Sunshine hours
9h
daily average
Forecast for 30 January
Weather forecast from Open-Meteo (may change until race day)
El Último León
El Último León is Melilla’s backyard ultra, organised by Club Corredores Africanus. It takes place every winter at Fuerte de Rostrogordo, a historic fortress surrounded by pine forests in the heart of the autonomous city.
The circuit
6.706 km loops with 150 metres of elevation gain through the pine forests of Rostrogordo and the Quemadero and Nano ravines. Mixed terrain with forest tracks and trails between pines. January temperatures in Melilla (12-18°C) create near-ideal conditions for running hour after hour.
Silver Ticket
El Último León is one of Spain’s Silver Ticket races: the winner qualifies directly for the national team at the Backyard Ultra World Championship. This attracts the country’s best endurance runners.
Record and level
The 2026 edition reached 51 loops (342+ km in over 51 hours), one of the highest marks on the Spanish circuit. The competitive level rises every year.
An accessible backyard
At just €15 entry with 250 spots, El Último León is one of Spain’s most affordable and popular backyards. It sells out within weeks. Use our nutrition calculator to plan your fueling strategy for a multi-hour endurance effort.
Melilla
Melilla offers a unique experience: an autonomous city with Art Nouveau architecture, multicultural gastronomy and an atmosphere blending Spain and North Africa. January is a good time to visit: no heat, no crowds.
Check our gear checklist to prepare for backyard ultra conditions, and browse the race search to find more events across Spain.
360Complete Pack
El Último León 2026 Registration
RegistrationBackyard ultra with Silver Ticket, organised by Club Corredores Africanus in Melilla.
Tips
- •Just €15: one of the cheapest entries
- •250 spots that sell out within 25 days
- •Winner earns Silver Ticket for the national team
- •Registration through melillaciudaddeldeporte.es
Where to stay in Melilla
AccommodationMelilla is a compact autonomous city with good hotel options.
Tips
- •Hotels in central Melilla just minutes from the venue
- •January is low season: good prices and availability
- •Fuerte de Rostrogordo is within the city
- •Book ferry or flights in advance
Gear for El Último León
GearJanuary in Melilla: mild temperatures (12-18°C) but possible rain and wind. Mixed terrain.
Tips
- •Trail shoes with good grip for pine forests and tracks
- •Windbreaker or light jacket for the night
- •Headlamp for the night hours
- •Spare socks: night humidity in Melilla is high
Which shoes for El Último León?
Which footwear fits based on the race's terrain and weather
Which GPS watch for El Último León?
Which watch has the battery to last based on your estimated finish time
Best Trail Running Headlamps 2026: 12 Models Compared
The 12 best headlamps for trail and ultra running in 2026: best value, best budget, 1000+ lumen picks (Petzl Swift RL, Nao RL, Fenix HM65R-T) and models with a rear light. Choose by the hours of darkness in your race.
Night Running Safety Kit: What to Wear Besides a Headlamp
A headlamp lights the trail, but it doesn't make you visible to others. Complete guide to the night running safety kit: rear light, reflective armband, high-visibility vest and power bank, with when you actually need each piece.
Best Shoes for Backyard Ultra 2026: Buying Guide
The 4 best backyard ultra shoes in 2026: Altra Lone Peak 9, NB Hierro v9, Saucony Peregrine 16 and Salomon Sense Ride 5. Wide toe box and comfort for dozens of 4.167-mile loops.
Nutrition for El Último León
NutritionWinter backyard with mild temperatures. Less heat stress than summer, but humidity is a factor.
Tips
- •Hot food from the first evening hours
- •Broth, soup, pasta: the body welcomes hot calories in January
- •Less need for electrolytes than summer, but don't skip them
- •Strategic caffeine for the early morning
How to get to Melilla
TransportMelilla is an autonomous city in North Africa, accessible by plane or ferry.
Tips
- •Direct flights from Málaga, Madrid and Barcelona
- •Ferry from Málaga or Almería (Trasmediterránea, Baleària)
- •Ferry from Málaga takes about 6 hours
- •Book transport in advance: spaces are limited
Car rental in Melilla
Car RentalMelilla is compact and you don't need a car for the race, but it can be useful.
Tips
- •Taxi or walking are viable options to reach the venue
- •If renting a car, useful for gear logistics
Sports insurance for El Último León
InsuranceEndurance ultra in an urban-forest setting.
Tips
- •Sports insurance mandatory to participate
- •Federation licence or day insurance
- •If coming from the mainland: travel insurance recommended
Body care for El Último León
Body CareFeet and skin face hours of sweat and friction. A blister and anti-chafe kit prevents the silliest DNF.
Tips
- •Tape or patches on hot spots before the start
- •Blister plasters in the vest from the first kilometre
Sun protection
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
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is El Último León 2026?
- January 31, 2026. January offers mild temperatures in Melilla (12-18°C), ideal for an endurance ultra.
- How much does registration cost?
- €15, one of the most affordable backyard ultra entries in Spain.
- How many participants can enter?
- 250 spots. Sells out within a few weeks.
- What terrain is the loop?
- Trails and tracks through the pine forests of Fuerte de Rostrogordo and the Quemadero and Nano ravines. Mixed terrain with dirt and forest track sections.
- Does the winner earn a Silver Ticket?
- Yes, the winner qualifies for Spain's national team at the Backyard Ultra World Championship.
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