Round‑up 2025 — On 8 November 2025 the Marató dels Dements was held in the Serra d’Espadà (Castellón, Spain). This 42.5‑km race with more than 3,800 m of positive elevation gain hosted the final of the Skyrunner World Series. The village of Eslida welcomed the world’s trail‑running elite and thousands of fans, turning the event into a festival. Below you will find the main results, a description of the course and what you can learn for your mountain‑running training.
Recap of the 2025 Marató dels Dements
The 2025 edition was decisive: as the Skymasters final it offered 1.5‑times the usual series points. From the early kilometres the field broke up on the climbs to Alto de la Costera and Puntal de l’Aljub. Crowds cheered through Aín, Fondeguilla and Azuébar.
Men’s results
Spain’s Manuel Merillas set the fastest time, 4:02:08. Italy’s Luca Del Pero (4:05:12) and France’s Frédéric Tranchand (4:06:21) completed the podium. Rounding out the top five were Bolivian José Manuel Quispe and Spaniard Alain Santamaría.
Women’s results
Russia’s Anastasia Rubtsova dominated yet again, winning in 4:55:25. Navarre’s Naiara Irigoyen finished second (5:07:51) and Andalusian Patricia Pineda third (5:09:06). Malen Osa and Seana Forbes completed the top five.
Course and elevation profile
The Marató dels Dements is considered one of Spain’s toughest technical marathons. It starts in Eslida and visits the villages of Aín, Fondeguilla and Azuébar before returning. Athletes tackle 3,808 m of positive gain over 42.5 km. Key climbs include:
- Alto de la Costera, shortly after leaving Eslida.
- Puntal de l’Aljub (13 km, 923 m), a long ascent that creates the first major selection.
- Pico Espadán (23 km, 1,049 m), the high point of the course.
- Technical sections through Barranc del Roig and Casa Mosquera before descending back to Eslida.
The terrain combines loose rock, Mediterranean forest and airy ridges, requiring good descending technique and strategic pacing.
Mitja d’Aín and other distances
The event also includes the Mitja d’Aín (approx. 21 km) and shorter races. In 2025 the men’s half marathon was won by Óscar Bou in 2:12:56 ahead of Alejandro García and Abel Carretero, while Alba Barambio captured the women’s race in 2:56:11 ahead of Alicia Chaveli and Rocío Pérez.
What the race meant for the 2025 Skyrunner World Series
This race decided the season’s overall champions. Although Merillas took the win, Luca Del Pero secured the men’s overall title thanks to his consistency. Anastasia Rubtsova locked up the women’s crown with her sixth victory of the year. The final top‑five rankings were Luca Del Pero, Frédéric Tranchand, Manuel Merillas, Roberto Delorenzi and Juan Yeri in the men’s standings, and Anastasia Rubtsova, Naiara Irigoyen, Patricia Pineda, Malen Osa and Claudia Zanotti among the women.
Training tips for mountain marathons
Racing a course like the Marató dels Dements requires specific preparation. Experts recommend the following:
1. Commit enough weekly training time
Plan at least seven hours of training per week, combining running, strength work and mobility drills.
2. Incorporate cross‑training
Cycling, swimming or hiking strengthen complementary muscle groups and reduce injury risk. Two cross‑training sessions a week improve aerobic capacity.
3. Develop strength and flexibility
Exercises such as squats, lunges, planks and stretching build the legs, glutes, core and upper body. Strength is crucial for sustained climbing and safe descending.
4. Practice managing elevation gain
Training on hills improves your running economy and teaches you to dose effort. Learning to climb and descend efficiently helps you plan race strategy, avoid injuries and build confidence.
5. Cultivate mental resilience
Mountain races are long and demanding. Use visualisation, breathing techniques and motivational strategies to stay focused when fatigue sets in.
Conclusion
The Marató dels Dements 2025 was more than a race: it crowned the Skyrunner World Series champions and confirmed Spain’s prominence in international trail running. If you dream of lining up on its start line or tackling similar events, start training now with these tips. Success in the mountains isn’t measured only by finish time but by the ability to enjoy the journey.
Recommended links
- Full race report (Carreras de Montana): https://www.carrerasdemontana.com/2025/11/08/marato-dels-dements-2025-cronica-y-resultados/
- Official Skyrunner World Series analysis: https://www.skyrunnerworldseries.com/2025/11/08/merillas-and-rubstova-win-marato-dels-dements-and-rubstova-and-del-pero-crowned-overall-champions/
- International recap by iRunFar: https://www.irunfar.com/this-week-in-running-november-10-2025
- Training tips for mountain marathons: https://carreraspormontana.com/entrenamiento/como-preparar-una-maraton-de-montana/
- Why managing elevation is crucial: https://trainingforever.com/por-que-es-importante-la-gestion-del-desnivel-en-el-trail-running/