The Italian, the only runner to have completed all ten editions he has entered, will return from 4 to 8 November to an event where he has claimed three victories and three further podium finishes
The name of Luca Papi is inevitably linked to the history of 360º The Challenge Gran Canaria. The Italian runner will return in November for his eleventh appearance in an event where he has completed every one of his previous ten participations, making him the only athlete to maintain this remarkable record.
After finishing eighth in 2025, Papi will once again put himself to the test from 4 to 8 November in an edition that will feature a new starting point in Gáldar. In addition to his ten finishes, he has three victories and three further podium finishes to his name, figures that highlight his unique connection with one of the most demanding self-sufficient and navigation-based challenges on the international calendar.
With a current ITRA ranking of 756 points, the Italian continues to accumulate kilometres and take on new ultradistance challenges season after season.
An unstoppable competitive spirit
The 2026 season has once again showcased Papi’s relentless approach to competition. The Italian took part in three The North Face Transgrancanaria races over three consecutive days, tackling the Kilómetro Vertical El Gigante, the Half and the Marathon. It was a demanding sequence of efforts that he had already repeated earlier in the year at the Anta Guan Jun Hong Kong 100, an event that, like The North Face Transgrancanaria, is part of the World Trail Majors circuit.
His 2025 results also demonstrate that he remains highly competitive in some of the most demanding long-distance races. He finished sixth at the TRAILCAT200, eighth at the EPIC Trail Run Azores and eighth at the TOR 450 – Tor des Glaciers, while also claiming victory at Portugal 281, a 279-kilometre ultramarathon.
A specialist in multi-day challenges and extreme distances, Papi has built an extensive career in races such as Tor des Glaciers, where he was champion in 2019 and 2021, Tor des Géants, Marathon des Sables and SwissPeaks Trail. That experience will once again be put to the test in Gran Canaria on an unmarked course whose final route will not be revealed to participants until ten days before the start.
More than 100 registered runners for November
Luca Papi’s return comes as the eleventh edition of 360º The Challenge Gran Canaria once again surpasses the 100-participant mark. More than 100 runners have already confirmed their participation for the event, which will take place from 4 to 8 November and represents one of the most unique challenges in ultradistance running.
The 2026 edition will also feature an important new development, with Gáldar becoming the starting point and the new gateway to this self-sufficient challenge.
Registration for 360º The Challenge Gran Canaria remains open through the event’s official website.
360º The Challenge Gran Canaria is organised by Arista Eventos, with the support of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria through Turismo de Gran Canaria and the Instituto Insular de Deportes; the Government of the Canary Islands through Promotur – Islas Canarias; the Ayuntamiento de Gáldar; the Ayuntamiento de Tejeda; Joma and Fred. Olsen Express. The event is supported by Aguas de Teror, Pepsi, Gofio La Piña, Bonflex, Provital and Inetel.