The North Face Transgrancanaria has become one of the most attractive ultratrail events on the international calendar. In 2026, between 4 and 8 March, the island of Gran Canaria will once again be the trail running epicentre with a programme ranging from explosive five‑kilometre races to challenges of 126 km and almost 7,000 m of positive elevation. In this article you will discover all the categories and schedules, the confirmed elite runners, the new features of this edition and, above all, how to prepare for any of its distances.
Categories and distances at Transgrancanaria 2026
The organisers have designed eight options so that both beginners and experienced runners can enjoy the island:
- El Gigante Vertical Kilometer (4 March). A vertiginous uphill time trial from Agaete to the Tamadaba summit with 1,000 m of ascent in just a few kilometres.
- Half 23 km (5 March, 9:00 am). It starts in Santa Lucía de Tirajana and finishes in Tejeda. With 1,817 m of positive elevation, it is ideal for those taking their first steps in ultratrail. The new start from Santa Lucía is one of the 2026 changes.
- Promo 12 km (5 March, 12:00 pm). A fast course that shares its finish line in Tejeda and serves as an entry point into trail running.
- Marathon 47 km (6 March, 9:30 am). It sets off from Tejeda and ends in Maspalomas’ Parque Sur. With 1,784 m of ascent, it crosses Pico de las Nieves and combines technical trails with fast tracks.
- Classic 126 km (6 March, 11:59 pm). The flagship race starts in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and crosses the island to Maspalomas with 6,764 m of positive elevation. It returns to the emblematic Roque Nublo.
- Advanced 82 km (7 March, 10:00 am). Starting in Teror and finishing in Maspalomas. With 3,819 m of ascent, it mixes lush forests with desert stretches and is perfect for those seeking an intermediate challenge.
- Family & Short (8 March, 10:00 am). A 5 km race open to families and enthusiasts, starting and finishing in Maspalomas.
With such a variety of distances, Transgrancanaria shows its commitment to making trail running accessible. The 2026 edition will host more than 6,000 runners and an impressive broadcast that will show live the vertical kilometre, the Half, the Marathon and the start of the Classic. The event is part of the World Trail Majors circuit and attracts athletes from all over the world.
Featured athletes and media coverage
The competitive level will be exceptional in 2026. In the Classic race, Swedish runner Ida Nilsson, the 2025 champion with a time of 8:34:54 and winner of iconic races such as Transvulcania and Zegama, and Catalan runner Abel Carretero, fourth in 2024 and a regular on the podium at shorter editions, are already confirmed. They will be joined by American Hayden Hawks, winner of the 2025 Tarawera Ultra Trail and Kodiak 100, who returns determined to finish the Classic after several DNFs, and Briton Eleanor Davis, fifth in the 2022 Marathon and winner of Ultra‑Trail Snowdonia.
In the Marathon, the spotlight is on Catalan Núria Gil, champion in 2023 and recent winner of Ultra Pirineu and other UTMB events, and Finnish runner Juho Ylinen, who is a regular podium finisher in Gran Canaria and across Europe. Other names to watch include Sara Alonso, Robert Pkemoi and Anthony Felber. The YouTube broadcast will allow fans to follow the races from anywhere.
How to prepare for Transgrancanaria: training, nutrition and equipment
Running an ultratrail requires months of preparation. Here are some key tips to arrive in top form:
- Gradual progression. Don’t jump from a half marathon to 126 km without adaptation. Increase your distance step by step: start with 20 km events, then marathons and shorter ultras before taking on long distances. This builds both physical and mental endurance.
- Listen to your body. Mix training days with rest. Avoid overtraining and find a balance between volume and intensity. Complement running with cycling, hiking or ski touring to develop other capacities.
- Simulate race conditions. Do long outings on technical terrain, at night and with a loaded pack. Practice using poles on climbs, strengthen your quadriceps for descents and repeat loops to simulate cumulative fatigue.
- Nutrition and hydration. Plan your fueling: eat every 20–30 minutes combining gels, bars and salty foods. Alternate water and electrolytes and adjust your intake to the weather. Test everything in training to avoid surprises.
- Reliable equipment. Prioritise comfort and protection: shoes with good grip, a stable pack for water, headlamp, waterproof jacket and poles. Try all gear in training; a slight discomfort can become a problem after many hours.
- Mental management and recovery. Visualise the course, break the race into small sections and establish routines to overcome low points. After an ultra, give yourself time to recover: sleep, eat well and do gentle activities.
Transgrancanaria and SnapRace: the perfect combination
Whether you are tackling your first trail run or aiming to improve your time, the SnapRace app can be your ally. It lets you record routes, analyse pace, elevation and recovery time, and share your progress with a community of passionate runners. Use the coaching function to plan sessions specific to Transgrancanaria and discover new trails that suit your goals.
Conclusion: an unforgettable challenge
Transgrancanaria is not just a race, it is an adventure that passes volcanoes, pine forests, ravines and beaches. Whatever your distance, prepare well in advance, choose the right equipment and enjoy every kilometre. If you dream of crossing the Maspalomas finish line, start your journey today: sign up, train wisely and let SnapRace accompany you every step of the way. See you in Gran Canaria in March 2026!