Phoenix 24
Mountain running is turning a small Pyrenean town into an international sporting center.
Bagà
Bagà is preparing to receive around 4,000 runners for the 17th edition of the Salomon Ultra Pirineu, one of Spain’s most established trail running events. From October 2 to 4, the competition will once again transform the Cadí Moixeró Natural Park into a demanding stage of mountain endurance, attracting both elite athletes and amateur runners from different countries.
The program is divided into four races designed around different levels of distance and difficulty. The La Molina Nit Pirineu KV opens the weekend on Friday evening with a vertical kilometer format. On Saturday, attention shifts to the Salomon Ultra Pirineu 100K, the event’s flagship race, which begins before sunrise and covers approximately 100 kilometers with around 6,600 meters of positive elevation gain.
The Salomon Marató Pirineu 42K will also take place on Saturday, bringing 1,300 runners through some of the region’s most recognizable mountain areas, including Penyes Altes and Empedrats. The weekend concludes on Sunday with the Salomon Mitja Pirineu 21K, which starts in Bagà and offers views toward Pedraforca. Around 1,000 athletes are expected to participate in that event.
The 2026 edition will also feature a strong elite field. Dmitry Mityaev, Gemma Arenas, Marc Bernades, Jana Dobrovolna, Julen Calvó and María Mercedes Pila are among the leading names expected to compete. Their presence reinforces the race’s position within the international trail running calendar and increases the competitive level across the weekend.
The event has become economically significant for the region as well. The 2025 edition generated approximately €5.42 million in direct economic impact and attracted close to 30,000 spectators. Accommodation, restaurants, local commerce and transport services all benefit from the concentration of athletes, support teams and visitors during the race weekend.
Environmental management remains another central element. Because the races cross the Cadí Moixeró Natural Park, organizers must balance sporting activity with protection of biodiversity, trails and sensitive mountain ecosystems. The event also includes participation from the Salomon Para Team, reinforcing an effort to expand accessibility within trail running.
For Bagà, the Ultra Pirineu has evolved far beyond a local race. It has become a recurring demonstration of how outdoor sport can connect tourism, regional identity, economic activity and environmental responsibility.
Beyond the news, the pattern.