Photo: D Delang · CC0 1.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail Running
Krakow Grand Prix in Mountain Running - Santa Run
Kraków, Poland
December 6, 2026Date confirmed
23 km11 km5 km3.7 km+1
City RunNature & Off-Road+4
Running Theme (Nature, Mountains & Coast)
Vertical Race Race Calendar & Dates 2026-2027
Uncompromising uphill races such as the Vertical Kilometer packing roughly 1,000 meters of climb into minimal distance. Browse 123 events (36 confirmed dates) and 564 races from 1.3 km to 126 km.
Events12336 confirmed dates
Competitions564Races & courses
Distances1.3 - 126 kmCourse distance range
Max. Elevation Gain+6,764 m D+Course elevation profile
Selected Events
Featured Events & Highlights
Photo: D Delang · CC0 1.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Photo: NPS Photo · Public Domain · Wikimedia CommonsTrail Running
Grand Prix of Krakow in Mountain Running - New Year's Run
Kraków, Poland
January 10, 2027Date confirmed
23 km11 km5 km3.7 km+1
City RunNature & Off-Road+4
Photo: NPS Photo · Public Domain · Wikimedia CommonsTrail Running
Krakow Mountain Running Grand Prix - Carnival Run
Kraków, Poland
February 7, 2027Date confirmed
23 km11 km5 km3.7 km+1
High AltitudeKids & Youth Races+5
Photo: Athetics123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail RunningWorld Trail Majors
Transgrancanaria HG
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
February 24, 2027 to February 28, 2027Date confirmed
126 km82 km47 km22.9 km+4
MountainNature & Off-Road+5
Photo: NPS Photo · Public Domain · Wikimedia CommonsTrail Running
Krakow Grand Prix in Mountain Running - Grand Finale
Kraków, Poland
March 7, 2027Date confirmed
23 km11 km5 km3.7 km+1
High AltitudeSnow+4
Photo: Athetics123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail Running
Taygetos Challenge
Kardamyli, Greece
March 27, 2027 to March 28, 2027Date confirmed
37 km20 km1.3 km
City RunVertical Race+4
Photo: Frank Vincentz · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail RunningUTMB World Series
Tenerife Bluetrail by UTMB
Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
April 8, 2027 to April 10, 2027Date confirmed
110 km73 km47 km24 km+1
MountainNature & Off-Road+7
Photo: Athetics123 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsTrail RunningGolden Trail World Series
Zegama-Aizkorri
Zegama, Spain
June 4, 2027 to June 6, 2027Date confirmed
42 km5.2 km
ForestMountain+4
Dates & Schedule
Race Calendar
December 2026
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 6, 2026 | Krakow Grand Prix in Mountain Running - Santa Run | Kraków, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, PL | Trail Running | 23 km11 km5 km3.7 km |
January 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 10, 2027 | Grand Prix of Krakow in Mountain Running - New Year's Run | Kraków, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, PL | Trail Running | 23 km11 km5 km3.7 km |
February 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 7, 2027 | Krakow Mountain Running Grand Prix - Carnival Run | Kraków, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, PL | Trail Running | 23 km11 km5 km3.7 km |
| Feb 24, 2027 - Feb 28, 2027 | Transgrancanaria HG | Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, ES | Trail Running | 126 km82 km47 km22.9 km |
March 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 7, 2027 | Krakow Grand Prix in Mountain Running - Grand Finale | Kraków, Lesser Poland Voivodeship, PL | Trail Running | 23 km11 km5 km3.7 km |
| Mar 27, 2027 - Mar 28, 2027 | Taygetos Challenge | Kardamyli, Peloponnese, GR | Trail Running | 37 km20 km1.3 km |
April 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 8, 2027 - Apr 10, 2027 | Tenerife Bluetrail by UTMB | Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, ES | Trail Running | 110 km73 km47 km24 km |
June 2027
| Date | Event | Location | Disciplines | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 4, 2027 - Jun 6, 2027 | Zegama-Aizkorri | Zegama, Basque Country, ES | Trail Running | 42 km5.2 km |
| Jun 5, 2027 - Jun 6, 2027 | La Course Montreux-les Rochers-de-Naye |  Montreux, Canton of Vaud, CH | Trail Running | 42 km18.4 km9.2 km5.4 km |
| Jun 11, 2027 | La Montée de la Croix de Rochefort |  Beaujeu, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, FR | Trail Running | 3 km |
| Jun 12, 2027 - Jun 13, 2027 | Wawgant Toubkal Trail |  Imlil, Marrakesh-Safi, MA | Trail Running | 63 km42 km21 km10 km |
| Jun 18, 2027 - Jun 20, 2027 | The Broken Arrow Skyrace |  Squaw Valley, California, US | Trail Running | 42.5 km21.75 km18 km10.4 km |
Events by Month
Overview & Route Character
Uncompromising uphill races such as the Vertical Kilometer packing roughly 1,000 meters of climb into minimal distance. In the RunningCompass calendar, the Vertical Race theme currently spans 123 public events and 564 individual competitions, including 36 confirmed editions for 2026-2027. Athletes start in time-trial or mass-start waves from the valley floor straight up to a summit or mountain station. Primary disciplines include Trail Running with race distances from 1.3 km to 126 km.
Sustained gradients of 20 to over 40 percent demand peak muscular endurance, aerobic power, and efficient pole technique. Across the catalog, the most demanding courses in this category feature up to +6,764 m of climbing. Leading host destinations include Kraków, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Kardamyli, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Notable events in this category include Krakow Grand Prix in Mountain Running - Santa Run, Grand Prix of Krakow in Mountain Running - New Year's Run, and Krakow Mountain Running Grand Prix - Carnival Run. Every event page includes an interactive course map, elevation telemetry, GPX track downloads, and direct filters for date, distance, and destination.
Questions & Answers
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What defines Vertical Race events and how many races are listed in the calendar?
Uncompromising uphill races such as the Vertical Kilometer packing roughly 1,000 meters of climb into minimal distance. RunningCompass currently lists 123 events with 564 individual competitions under the Vertical Race theme. A total of 36 events have confirmed dates for the 2026-2027 season, alongside additional races with full course profiles for season planning.
What distances and disciplines are typical for Vertical Race races?
Athletes start in time-trial or mass-start waves from the valley floor straight up to a summit or mountain station. The 564 listed competitions span distances from 1.3 km to 126 km, led by Trail Running. You can narrow the calendar by 5K, 10K, half marathon, marathon, or ultra distance brackets using the search filters.
What terrain, elevation profile, and preparation should I expect for Vertical Race?
Sustained gradients of 20 to over 40 percent demand peak muscular endurance, aerobic power, and efficient pole technique. Races in this theme reach up to +6,764 m of climbing. Each event detail page provides interactive course maps, elevation gain and loss metrics, altitude ranges, and downloadable GPX files to help you plan pacing and gear.
Where do Vertical Race events take place and how can I filter by region and date?
Leading host destinations include Kraków, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Kardamyli, and Santa Cruz de Tenerife. Notable events in this category include Krakow Grand Prix in Mountain Running - Santa Run, Grand Prix of Krakow in Mountain Running - New Year's Run, and Krakow Mountain Running Grand Prix - Carnival Run. Using the monthly calendar groups on this page or the linked interactive map explorer, you can filter all 123 events by country, region, month, and distance.