One of the most demanding ultradistance races on the planet returns from November 4 to 8 with a major new feature: the start will take place in Gáldar
The first registered participants will benefit from a special discount until June 30
The 360º The Challenge Gran Canaria 2026 has announced that registration for its eleventh edition will open next Wednesday, April 29 at 12:00 p.m. on the event’s official website: www.360thechallenge.com. The race, considered a global benchmark in ultradistance, will be held from November 4 to 8, 2026, from Wednesday to Sunday, with 101 hours available to complete a course of more than 240 kilometres and 12,000 metres of positive elevation gain.
The race maintains the features that have made it a world reference in ultradistance: no course marking, a route unknown until ten days before the start, and extremely demanding participant requirements. Athletes must prove experience in this type of race, command of navigation with map and compass, GPS navigation skills, and the ability to cope with sudden changes in weather conditions. Along the route, life bases will allow participants to rest, eat, recharge devices, and receive external assistance.
The major new feature of this edition is the start from Gáldar, in the north of Gran Canaria, a change that the organization will reveal in greater detail over the coming months, including more information about the course and the race logistics.
Bordón and Lehmann, champions of the tenth edition
The tenth edition, held in 2025, brought together 107 participants from 22 nationalities and recorded a women’s participation record at the start line, with 11 female entrants. The overall winners were Canarian runner José Bordón, the first athlete from the islands to claim overall victory, and Swiss runner Anita Lehmann, who took the women’s title in her third participation after finishing runner-up in the previous two editions.
In recent years, the 360º The Challenge has attracted some of the best mountain runners in the world, including names such as Claire Bannwarth, Sébastien Raichon, Luca Papi, Marco Gubert and Julien Chorier, alongside leading Canarian runners such as Sandra Moreno and Álvaro Santana.
Registration open from April 29
Registration will be structured in two periods: the first, with a discount, will be open from April 29 to June 30; the second will run from July 1 until registration closes. The organization also offers the possibility of paying in instalments.
The 360º The Challenge Gran Canaria is organized by Arista Eventos, with the sponsorship 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; Gáldar Town Council; Tejeda Town Council; Joma; and Fred. Olsen Express. Collaborating companies include Aguas de Teror, Pepsi, Gofio La Piña, Bonflex, Provital and Inetel.