La 15th edition of the Sierra Nevada Snow Running The peaks of Granada will once again become one of Europe's premier stages for skysnow running. In the heart of winter, the Granada resort will host a nighttime snow race that will bring together around 1.000 runners from more than 15 nationalities, all of them willing to defy the cold, the altitude and the demanding terrain.
The meeting will be held on January 31, under the stars and in an environment of high mountain winterThis reinforces Sierra Nevada's appeal as a sports destination. The competition is considered one of the world's largest snow running races in its modality, consolidating Granada as a benchmark for international mountain sports federations and for the national circuit of this discipline.
Institutional commitment and international projection
The test has very broad institutional support, with the Granada Provincial Council as the main driving force for several editions, in collaboration with the Junta de Andalucía, Cetursa Sierra Nevada and the Monachil Town HallThe Deputy for Sports and Sports Facilities, Eric Escobedo, he emphasized that this event symbolizes the provincial institution's clear commitment to the major sporting events that project Granada's image internationally.
Escobedo has emphasized that the Sierra Nevada Snow Running has become a true sporting hallmark of the provincehighlighting the combination of meticulous organization, strict safety measures, and scrupulous respect for the natural environment. For the Provincial Council, this race is also a tool to promote the economic, tourism and social impact in the surrounding municipalities, placing Granada "in the first division of mountain sports".
The official presentation of the event was also attended by the delegate for Tourism, Culture and Sport of the Andalusian Regional Government in Granada, David Rodriguez, the director of Institutional Relations, Sustainability and Activities of Cetursa Sierra Nevada, María José Rienda, the mayor of Monachil, Jose Morales, as well as representatives of the Andalusian Federation of Mountain Sports, Climbing and Hiking (FADMES) and the Spanish federation, together with the organizing clubs.
Rodríguez has highlighted that this The fifteenth edition consolidates the event within the international circuit of mountain running on snow. and reinforces Sierra Nevada and Andalusia's position as a pioneering location for this sport. As explained, the sponsorship from the Ministry of Culture and Sport, with a contribution of 48.000 EurosIt responds to the desire to support events that generate tourist returns, wealth, and promote sports practice among citizens.
For the administrations involved, this race not only serves as a showcase for the ski resort, but also positions Andalusia as a quality sports destinationSierra Nevada, accustomed to hosting high-level championships and welcoming athletes from numerous countries, contributes to the continued growth in prestige and participation of Snow Running Sierra Nevada each year.
A technical and demanding route through the snow
The race features a demanding technical layoutDesigned for those seeking more than just a simple, popular race. The route includes approximately 12,7 kilometers long or with a accumulated positive elevation gain of 920 meters, developing entirely on snowy surface and reaching levels around 3.000 meters, a circumstance that adds an extra layer of difficulty due to the lower concentration of oxygen.
The utilization of the facilities and resources of Cetursa Sierra Nevada This allows the race to be held with high safety guarantees, essential when racing at night and in high mountain terrain. The circuit is laid out on existing tracks and designated areas, optimizing the current infrastructure to minimize any alteration to the natural environment, while maintaining a high level of sport which requires good preparation and prior experience in the mountains or on unstable surfaces.
The organization defines the route as an ideal option for trail and skyrunning enthusiasts who want to take the leap to the next level. snow competitionThe steep sections, more runnable areas, and segments where the snow may be softer or harder force you to constantly adjust your pace and technique, making the race a true physical and mental challenge.
Furthermore, the nighttime schedule adds a very particular component: the participants advance illuminated by headlamps and under a winter skywith the resort operating in night skiing mode in certain areas. This creates a very distinctive scene, with the lights of the couloirs winding up the mountain and the contrast between the illuminated areas and the darkness of the surroundings.
The Sierra Nevada Snow Running is part of FEDME national snowrunning circuitThis increases the level of competition, as many athletes come aiming to score crucial points for the national overall ranking. At the same time, for the Andalusian regional level, the event is also a key competition for regional titles on snow-covered terrain.
Elite participation and international character
This year's edition features a starting line with prominent names from the national and international sceneIn the women's category, all eyes are on the Spanish runner. Silvia Lara, one of the leading figures in snowrunning, who will have to face high-level rivals such as the Portuguese Joana Soares, a member of the Portuguese national team, and the Belgian Charlotte Cotton, recognized for her results in mountain races.
In the men's competition, a very close fight for the podium is expected between runners such as Diego Diaz, Javier Terrón y Jose Maria Perez (also cited in some reports as José Mª Pérez). They all arrive with aspirations of fighting for victory and for key positions in this second fundamental test of the national circuit, with the added fact that the race is also crucial for the Andalusian title of mountain running on snow.
One of the most striking elements is the strong presence of Portugal, which is once again using Sierra Nevada as the venue for its National Snowrunning Championship For the third consecutive year. The Portuguese delegation will consist of around thirty athletes, in addition to the national coach, members of the federation, and an international judge who will collaborate with the competition jury.
The race also maintains its status as a global event, with runners from more than 15 countriesAmong them are France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, as well as representatives from Eastern European countries such as Ukraine, Romania, Poland, and Hungary. In addition, athletes from Colombia and Brazil, which bring a Latin American touch to the competition.
The most unique delegation will arrive from the Pakistani HimalayasWith an expedition of eight runners traveling to Granada to compete on the Andalusian snow, their presence adds a powerful symbolic component, connecting the world's great mountain ranges with the peaks of Sierra Nevada and reinforcing its character. purely international of the event.
Inclusion, health and environmental commitment
Another relevant aspect of this 15th edition is its progress in the area of sports inclusionAs the FADMES representative has emphasized, Almudena AbadThe race has always included athletes with guide poles, but this time, following the implementation of the new regulations, the event officially becomes an all-female race. inclusive competitionThanks to the work of CS Superan2 and the Andalusian federation itself. Furthermore, the organization highlights that around a 30% of registered people are women, a significant figure in such a demanding discipline.
From a health perspective, the organizers point out that running on snow offers certain advantages over other hard surfaces, since joint impact is reduced and promotes faster recovery after exertion. However, the cold, the altitude, and the technical nature of the route demand good prior preparation, appropriate equipment, and mountain experience—aspects that are emphasized in the recommendations to participants, including guidelines for safe sport for people with high blood pressure.
In environmental terms, the Sierra Nevada Snow Running maintains a clear strategy of “zero footprint”This implies using only existing infrastructure, taking advantage of what is called off-peak hours of the station and coordinate with other activities such as Night skiing to optimize resources. In this way, the aim is to ensure that the race can be held. does not have a significant additional impact in the ecosystem of National Park of Sierra Nevada.
The organization insists that this is a multidisciplinary event, in which the resort demonstrates its capacity to simultaneously host both ski-related tourism activities and a high-level snow competition, all with criteria of sustainability and respect for the environmentThe volunteer and technical staff play an essential role in ensuring that logistics work and that a balance is maintained between sport and conservation.
With all these ingredients—institutional support, the presence of international elite athletes, a demanding course, an inclusive approach, and environmental commitment—the 15th edition of the Sierra Nevada Snow Running is shaping up to be a key event on the European winter calendar. The combination of Spectacular nightlife, high mountains and responsible sport It confirms Sierra Nevada as a privileged setting for skysnow running and as one of the great meeting points for those looking to experience competition on snow in a different way.