Zegama-Aizkorri Mendi Maratoia 2027 – Spain

What to expect

Zegama-Aizkorri Mendi Maratoia is one of Spain’s most renowned mountain races and one of the most distinctive events on the international trail-running calendar. Based in Zegama in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, the race combines a demanding mountain marathon with an extraordinary spectator atmosphere across the Aizkorri mountain range.

The principal marathon covers 42.195 kilometres with substantial accumulated climbing and descents across mountainous terrain. The official course information describes the route as passing through both sides of the Aizkorri range, with the course professionally measured and marked. The event forms part of the Golden Trail World Series, placing it alongside some of the most prestigious mountain races internationally.

What makes Zegama particularly different is the relationship between the runners and the local crowd. Thousands of passionate supporters traditionally gather along the mountain route, with Sancti Spiritu becoming one of the most famous spectator locations. The official Golden Trail World Series describes the atmosphere as a celebration of sport, while the race organization has repeatedly highlighted the famous crowd support around the course.

The 2027 edition is currently listed for May 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed. Visitors should therefore treat the schedule, registration opening and detailed participant information as subject to the official announcement.

Match/event dates

Event: Zegama-Aizkorri Mendi Maratoia 2027

Month: May 2027

Status: Dates TBD

The exact 2027 date has not yet been announced by the official Zegama-Aizkorri organization. The race traditionally takes place in May, and the official event website should be checked for the final announcement and registration calendar.

For planning purposes, the event should be treated as a May 2027 mountain-running weekend rather than a confirmed specific-day event. The organizers have historically announced the principal marathon date separately from the Vertical Kilometre and Junior Trail programme, so visitors should wait for the complete official schedule before making non-refundable travel arrangements.

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Stadium & sports venue

Zegama-Aizkorri does not take place inside a conventional stadium. The principal venue is the mountain environment surrounding Zegama and the Aizkorri range in Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain.

The race starts and finishes in Zegama, while the course travels through a series of mountain sections, checkpoints and spectator areas. The official course includes major landmarks such as Aratz, Sancti Spiritu, Aketegi, Urbia and other mountain locations before returning to Zegama.

Main location: Zegama, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Spain

Race environment: Aizkorri mountain range and surrounding mountain trails

Start/finish: Zegama

Course distance: 42.195 km

Maximum participants: 500 runners

Because this is a mountain race, spectators should not expect conventional grandstand seating. The experience is based on following marked spectator routes and reaching designated viewpoints on foot or using the event’s spectator transport arrangements.

Full fixture or event schedule

The 2027 programme has not yet been published in full. Based on the established event structure, the Zegama-Aizkorri programme normally includes several related competitions and participant activities.

Main Zegama-Aizkorri Marathon: The flagship mountain marathon is the centrepiece of the weekend, attracting elite trail runners and a highly competitive international field.

Zegama-Aizkorri Vertical Kilometre: The Vertical Kilometre is a separate uphill race associated with the event and has a substantially shorter course but very steep elevation gain. Recent editions have used a 5.2-kilometre total route with approximately 1,015 metres of positive elevation.

Zegama-Aizkorri Junior Trail: The Junior Trail provides a separate mountain-running competition for younger participants. Recent editions have used a medium-mountain route of approximately 10.4 kilometres.

Briefing and participant activities: The organization traditionally provides important course and organizational information to runners before the principal race.

Spectator programme: Dedicated spectator guidance is normally issued, particularly for accessing famous viewing points such as Sancti Spiritu.

The precise 2027 programme should be confirmed once the organizers publish the new edition’s schedule.

Teams, athletes & participants

Zegama-Aizkorri is primarily an individual trail-running competition rather than a team-based fixture. Athletes compete in men’s and women’s categories, with elite international runners competing alongside highly experienced amateur mountain runners.

The main marathon has historically had a maximum field of 500 participants. The registration process is unusually competitive because the number of applicants can greatly exceed the available places. The organization also reserves places for specific commitments, runners who have completed all previous editions and athletes with qualifying performances.

The race attracts competitors from Spain and from numerous international trail-running communities. Because it contributes to the Golden Trail World Series, elite athletes can have additional motivation to compete for valuable series points.

The 2027 elite starting list has not yet been announced. Names should therefore be considered unconfirmed until published through the official Zegama-Aizkorri or Golden Trail World Series channels.

Tournament format & competition structure

The main competition is a single mountain marathon rather than a conventional tournament with rounds or heats. Competitors follow the marked mountain route and must pass through mandatory checkpoints.

The official regulations specify 13 checkpoints across the marathon course, together with a refreshment station at the finish. Participants must pass through the designated checkpoints and comply with the course regulations.

The principal categories include senior/master and veteran classifications for men and women. The race also recognizes additional classifications, including Basque competitors and other special categories.

The marathon has an eight-hour maximum finishing window under the published regulations. Competitors who exceed the established time limit cannot receive a final classification.

The race also contributes points toward the Golden Trail World Series, giving the event importance beyond its individual finishing positions.

Match/event times

Exact 2027 times are not yet available.

The recent official marathon programme has used a morning start from Zegama. The Golden Trail World Series programme has also provided estimated arrival times for leading runners at major mountain landmarks, allowing spectators to plan where they want to watch the elite field.

The Vertical Kilometre uses a separate schedule, while the Junior Trail has its own start and finishing arrangements. The exact 2027 times will depend on the official programme.

Spectators should allow considerable additional time when moving between viewing locations because mountain viewpoints can require walking or climbing from transport points.

Ticket types

Zegama-Aizkorri is primarily a participant-registration event rather than a ticketed stadium sporting event. Spectators traditionally watch the race from public areas along the mountain course rather than purchasing conventional spectator tickets.

For runners, the important access product is the official race entry or bib. The published participant fee for the most recent marathon edition was €75, equivalent to approximately $88 USD using a recent approximate EUR-to-USD conversion. The fee included participation, liability and accident insurance, participant services and various gifts.

The small pre-registration charge used in the recent edition was separate from the final race-entry fee. The 2027 amounts have not yet been announced.

Ticket release phases

The race uses a pre-registration and bib-allocation system rather than a normal first-come, first-served ticket release.

Pre-registration: Interested runners first submit a pre-registration application through the designated registration platform.

Reserved places: The organizers reserve a portion of the available field for organizational commitments and certain qualifying or historical participation criteria.

Bib lottery: A substantial portion of the remaining places is allocated through a public draw.

Successful applicants: Runners receiving a place are then required to complete the final registration and payment procedure.

Waiting list: If selected runners withdraw or reserved places remain unused, the organization can continue down the draw list according to its established procedure.

The 2027 registration dates and exact allocation formula should be considered unconfirmed until published.

VIP & hospitality options

There is no conventional VIP hospitality programme comparable with a stadium football or motorsport event.

The premium experience at Zegama-Aizkorri is primarily created through access to the most famous spectator locations, the atmosphere in Zegama and the opportunity to watch elite runners compete in a dramatic mountain environment.

The organization has historically provided specific supporter routes and transport options to help spectators reach Sancti Spiritu and other viewing points. These arrangements are designed to manage crowds while allowing supporters to experience the race away from the town centre.

Any official hospitality or special supporter package for 2027 should be confirmed directly through the organizers.

Stadium & event rules

The event takes place in a sensitive natural environment, so competitors and spectators are expected to respect the mountain surroundings.

Mandatory equipment: Recent marathon regulations require runners to carry a windproof jacket, a cup for liquid refreshments and a thermal blanket throughout the race.

Course markings: The route is marked using signs, visible course tape and kilometre references.

Checkpoints: Competitors must pass through the designated checkpoints.

Environment: Runners must avoid leaving waste outside designated areas. The event’s mountain setting makes environmental responsibility particularly important.

Safety: The organization can modify or reroute the course if weather or other circumstances create safety concerns.

Assistance: Participants are expected to help fellow runners who require assistance and report incidents at checkpoints.

Spectators should stay on designated paths and follow instructions from organizers, volunteers and traffic-management personnel.

How to get there

Zegama is a small municipality in Gipuzkoa in the Basque Country. It is not a major Spanish city, so many international visitors will normally combine air travel with road or rail transportation.

The closest major urban centres include San Sebastián and the wider Gipuzkoa area, while Bilbao is another practical international arrival point for visitors travelling through northern Spain.

For spectators, reaching the mountain viewpoints requires additional planning. The organization has previously provided specific supporter guidance for reaching Sancti Spiritu by bus and walking routes.

Driving can be convenient for reaching the wider Zegama area, but race-day traffic restrictions mean that visitors should not assume they can drive directly to every viewing location.

Public transport & parking

Public transport and traffic arrangements are an important part of the Zegama-Aizkorri experience because the race uses mountain roads and trails around a relatively small community.

The organizers have previously published public bus information connecting Beasain and Zegama and have provided dedicated supporter transport arrangements for reaching spectator areas.

For mountain viewing, one established approach involves travelling from Zegama toward the train station and continuing on foot toward Sancti Spiritu. Another option has used shuttle transport from a designated car park toward the Otzaurte area before continuing by foot.

Parking capacity can be restricted during the event. Visitors travelling by car should follow the official traffic instructions rather than attempting to park close to mountain access points.

Accommodation areas

Zegama itself is the most convenient base for visitors who want to remain close to the start and finish environment, although accommodation availability can be limited because of the popularity of the race.

Other practical areas include:

• Beasain and surrounding Gipuzkoa towns
• Ordizia
• Idiazabal
• Zumarraga
• San Sebastián for visitors who prefer a larger city
• Bilbao for travellers combining the event with a wider Basque Country trip

Staying farther away can provide more accommodation choices, but spectators should allow additional travel time because mountain-road access can become complicated around the race.

The official event website also provides an accommodation section for visitors and participants.

Food & drink at the venue

Zegama-Aizkorri is closely connected with Basque community culture, and food is naturally part of the wider visitor experience.

For competitors, the official marathon organization provides numerous refreshment points. The published regulations specify 13 refreshment points along the course plus an additional station at the finish. Supplies can include water, fruit, energy bars and energy drinks.

Spectators should not depend entirely on mountain checkpoints for their own food and drinks. It is sensible to carry water and suitable snacks when walking to remote viewing locations.

In Zegama and nearby Basque towns, visitors can also find traditional restaurants, cafés and local food options, making the event suitable for combining trail running with a broader culinary trip around Gipuzkoa.

Accessibility

Accessibility varies significantly depending on where visitors want to watch the race.

The start and finish environment in Zegama is considerably easier to reach than remote mountain viewpoints. By contrast, locations such as Sancti Spiritu require walking along mountain routes, and some established spectator approaches involve several kilometres of uphill travel.

The organization has previously created guided spectator access options using buses and walking routes, which can help visitors reach popular locations more safely. However, these mountain routes should not be treated as fully accessible facilities.

Visitors with mobility requirements should contact the organizers before travelling to discuss the most suitable spectator area and available transport arrangements.

Best matches/events to attend

Main Zegama-Aizkorri Marathon: This is the essential event for first-time visitors. The combination of elite competition, technical terrain and huge crowd support makes the marathon the defining experience.

Sancti Spiritu: This is one of the most famous spectator points. The race organization specifically identifies it as a mythical section where a major supporter point is established.

Aizkorri mountain sections: Spectators who are comfortable with mountain walking can continue beyond Sancti Spiritu toward higher sections of the course.

Vertical Kilometre: This provides a completely different racing experience, focusing on steep uphill running and explosive climbing performance.

Junior Trail: Families and younger trail-running enthusiasts may particularly enjoy the Junior Trail, which uses a shorter medium-mountain course.

Previous year’s highlights

The most recent completed edition provided another demonstration of why Zegama-Aizkorri has such a strong international reputation.

The official Golden Trail World Series lists the event as a 42-kilometre mountain race with a field of 500 participants and thousands of passionate fans surrounding the course.

The event’s results archive contains official classifications for numerous editions, demonstrating the long-running history of the competition and its importance in international mountain running.

Recent editions have also featured elite athletes from different countries, with the event continuing to serve as a major Golden Trail World Series competition. The organization has emphasized the unique crowd atmosphere, particularly around the Sancti Spiritu section and the mountain communities surrounding the route.

The event has also continued developing its sustainability programme, with the organization announcing an audited Green Trail Concept sustainability certification in its latest news.

Official tickets

For runners, official participation is handled through the Zegama-Aizkorri registration system rather than conventional spectator ticketing. The organization publishes the pre-registration process, bib allocation information, regulations and final payment instructions through its official channels.

The official website is the safest place to verify the 2027 registration announcement, participant requirements and any changes to the course or event programme. The most recent registration system used a lottery and reserved-place structure, meaning interested runners should monitor announcements closely rather than assume that places will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Official Zegama-Aizkorri website (https://www.zegama-aizkorri.com/)

Official contact: info@zegama-aizkorri.com