Penyagolosa a l’Escola brings together nearly 600 schoolchildren at Universitat Jaume I in a day connecting sport, education and territory

The initiative celebrates its third edition with the participation of five schools from inland areas of the province of Castellón

The cross-country tracks at Universitat Jaume I hosted this morning the final event of Penyagolosa a l’Escola, where 600 primary school students took part in a non-competitive race with distances adapted to their age — 400, 600 and 800 metres — in a shared and safe environment.

Beyond today’s event, Penyagolosa a l’Escola is a project that runs throughout the entire school year, with the aim of bringing sport and nature closer to younger generations from an educational perspective.

In this regard, the programme is developed in the classroom through a multidisciplinary approach, integrating different areas of knowledge such as physical education, environmental studies, arts, music and language, always using the territory and the MiM and CSP routes as a common thread.

As the central element of this edition, participating schools have jointly created an educational comic featuring Pele and Grina as main characters, telling their journey along the MiM and CSP routes through the different municipalities that form part of the course. This work has allowed students to interpret the territory from a creative and narrative perspective. The project will be published soon, continuing the work carried out throughout the school year.

This third edition has included participation from CEIP l’Hereu (Borriol), CEIP Sant Miquel (Vilafamés), CEIP Sant Joan de Moró, CRA Penyagolosa — comprising Les Useres, Atzeneta and Vistabella — and CRA l’Aiguaneu, with students from Catí, Culla, Torre d’en Besora and Vilar de Canes.

The director of FUGA Penyagolosa Trails, Tico Cervera, highlighted the key role of teachers: “Since the first edition, the role of teachers has been fundamental. They have been able to work on the project throughout the year in the classroom, adapt it across different subjects and integrate it into everyday education beyond the sporting aspect.”

The programme, which was launched in 2024 to mark the 25th anniversary of the Marató i Mitja (MiM), has evolved in just three editions to become a consolidated educational initiative within the region, with the support of the Diputación de Castellón and the Comunitat de l’Esport, both of which have backed its growth from the beginning.

In this context, the Provincial Deputy for Sports of the Diputación de Castellón, Iván Sánchez, stated that:
“Penyagolosa a l’Escola is a clear example of how sport can be integrated into education to convey values such as effort, teamwork and respect, while connecting younger generations with their territory.”

Meanwhile, the Director of the Sports Service at Universitat Jaume I, Carlos Hernando, emphasised that:
“This project demonstrates the potential of sport as a global educational tool, capable of integrating different areas of knowledge and generating meaningful experiences for students.”

Penyagolosa a l’Escola opens the week of FUGA Penyagolosa Trails, which will conclude on Saturday, April 18, with the celebration of its main races.

The CSP prepares for an open battle among top names in international trail running

The CSP of FUGA Penyagolosa Trails arrives at this edition with an especially high sporting level and several clear contenders for victory. The 106 kilometres between Castellón and Sant Joan de Penyagolosa will once again demand a combination of endurance, strategy and course knowledge in a race where every detail can make the difference.

Key names in the battle for victory


The fight for the top spot features several well-known names. Among them is Raúl Butaci, one of the most consistent runners on the European scene. He arrives after a 2025 season in which he has barely stepped off the podium in top-level ultras, with results such as second place at Lavaredo by UTMB® 120K.

Opposing him, Joaquín López continues to take firm steps towards the absolute elite. Following his third place at UTMB® Mont-Blanc 2024 and victory at Mt. Fuji 100 in 2025, the Ecuadorian has established himself as one of the most decisive runners over long distances.

The presence of Julen Calvó adds another competitive dimension to the race. He has already proven his ability to perform at Penyagolosa, with a second place at the MiM in 2024 and a sixth place last year. He also returns backed by his recent bronze medal at the Spanish Ultra Championship (Individual and Regional Teams – FEDME).

This group is joined by runners who know the course well. Francisco Rodríguez, a local runner, and Arnau Seguí, runner-up in the last edition, are among them. Internationally, the race will also feature Australia’s Morgan Pilley, with experience in ultras across different continents, and Cédric Chavet, one of the most recognisable figures in European trail running.

From a local perspective, the CSP once again proves to be a specialist’s race. In addition to Francisco, names such as Daniel Colom stand out—arguably one of the runners who best understands Penyagolosa, with multiple participations in CSP and MiM and remarkable consistency in leading positions. Alongside him, Adrià García, Iván Marín, Albert García, Rubén Marc and Vicente Herrera will add further competitiveness.

A women’s field defined by experience in Penyagolosa

In the women’s race, the field promises to be highly competitive, with several standout names. Mercedes Pila will be one of the main references. Her experience and knowledge of the course, after several CSP participations, place her in a very strong position. Last year, she secured second place in a closely contested race.

Alongside her will be Jessica Tipán, who also knows the race very well. Following her third place in the CSP in 2024, she has shown steady progression in recent seasons, establishing herself as an increasingly reliable runner over long distances.

The list of favourites continues with Yasmina Castro Chacón, a key figure in Canary Islands trail running, who has delivered consistently strong seasons and arrives after a top 10 finish at UTMB® TDS. She will be joined by Emily Dixon, a regular on the international circuit, with solid results in races such as Lavaredo, Innsbruck and Swiss Alps.

Meanwhile, Raquel Casares, a local runner, continues to consolidate her progression over this distance after several participations in Penyagolosa. Local athletes Sonia Escuriola and Alicia Chaveli will also be on the start line, bringing course knowledge and competitive ambition.

This scenario is further shaped by several last-minute withdrawals, increasing the uncertainty even more. This is the case of Anna Tarasova, who will not be able to attend in Castellón due to personal reasons, and Iván Calvó, recent winner of Unicaja Ultra Sierra Nevada, who after considering his participation will not take the start.

These absences reshape the competitive landscape and open up even more possibilities in the fight for the leading positions.