Marathon races near Ripollet

The Mitja Marató Parc de Collserola is a trail half marathon held in Barcelona’s Collserola park, with its start and finish at the Velòdrom d’Horta. It begins at 08:00 and covers the standard 21.097 km half-marathon distance. With 892 meters of elevation gain, it is more of a mountain run than a road half marathon. The race, organized by Unió Excursionista Catalunya d’Horta, is in its twenty-third edition. The course utilizes a significant portion of Parc de Collserola, featuring checkpoints at Can Borrell, Sant Medir, and Vista Rica. Runners navigate a path defined by forest tracks, ascents, and park landmarks, distinct from city streets.

The Cursa de l'Alba begins and ends in Collbató, located at the base of Montserrat, directing participants into the Natural Park of Montserrat. This mountain trail series offers three distances: the 42 km Marató de Montserrat, the 22 km Cursa de l'Alba, and the 12 km MitjAlba. The event now takes place in autumn, with the middle-distance race serving as the program's traditional core: 22 km featuring 1,200 meters of ascent, 1,200 meters of descent, four aid stations, and a 4 hour 30 minute cut-off. The 22 km course ascends to Sant Jeroni, Montserrat's highest point, then descends toward Collbató via technical trails, rocky paths, and tracks. The shorter MitjAlba route reaches Pla de San Miquel, offering participants a scaled-down version of the mountain environment. Approximately 400 individuals compete in the 22 km race, attracting trail runners seeking a challenging local mountain course over a flat, large-scale event. This race is part of the Memorial Martí Gil and is organized by 4000 Peus - Associació Excursionista Collbató, contributing to its status as a well-established event on the Catalan trail running calendar.

La Pota Roja Cervelló is a trail-running and mountain-bike race day in Cervelló, Spain, offering several distances within a single morning. Runners can select from 8K, 14K, 24K, or 42K trail options. The mountain-bike portion includes BTT routes of 20K and 30K, with categories for e-bikes. The course features off-road terrain, not flat roads; the 14K trail race alone involves a 546-meter climb. Located in the Barcelona area, Cervelló is presented by the organizers as a suitable location for both trail running and BTT. The event is designed for participants seeking hills, dirt paths, and a choice between running or cycling. Registration rules are strict, with no refunds for entry fees.

The Trail Torres del Foc begins in Calella at Pati de l'Os and concludes along the seafront on Passeig Manuel Puigvert. This competitive trail running event takes place in November, offering four distances: 12K, 21K, 42K, and 60K. Participants can select a short mountain run or an ultra-distance challenge. The routes traverse the Parc del Montnegre i Corredor, connecting the coast with the forested hills inland. The courses follow paths and trails within the park, with elevation gains for each distance: approximately 396 meters for the 12K, 992 meters for the 21K, 1,692 meters for the 42K, and 2,449 meters for the 60K. The event's name originates from the fire watchtowers located along the route, elevated points that continue to aid in forest protection. The 21K holds UTMB Index 20K status and recently saw about 145 finishers. The range of distances accommodates newer trail runners, club athletes, and those seeking a demanding mountain race.