The Numbers Eligible for a Bib at the MiM Are 272 to 1771, and All CSP Participants Will Have a Chance

The road to ASICS Penyagolosa Trails 2025 officially begins with the emblematic bib lottery, a key moment where participants in the MiM and CSP categories discover their lucky numbers.

For the MiM, the president of the Provincial Council of Castellón, Marta Barrachina, drew number 272 as the starting point, assigning bibs from that number up to 1771. In the case of the CSP, number 60 was drawn. However, due to the overbooking policy—which allows assigning more bibs than available spots to anticipate cancellations—remaining preregistered participants who were not selected in the draw will still have a chance to secure a bib.

The event was hosted by sports journalist Rafa Escrig and featured participation from notable figures such as Marta Barrachina, Provincial Council President; Susana Fabregat, Delegate of the Consell in Castellón; and Iván Sánchez, Deputy of Sports. Representatives from partner entities that make the event possible—FACSA, Endavant, Cajamar, Nutrinovex, and the municipalities of Atzeneta, Benafigos, Culla, Xodos, and Vistabella—were also present.

The draw marks the beginning of a new edition of ASICS Penyagolosa Trails, promising to uphold its competitive spirit and organizational excellence.

A Celebration of Trail Running and Community

For Marta Barrachina, ASICS Penyagolosa Trails is more than just a race; it’s “an incredible international showcase highlighting the grandeur of our sports setting.” She described the event as an exciting challenge, set against a stunning natural backdrop of trails, hills, and unique landscapes, reflecting the resilience, courage, and determination of the 2,100 runners.

“Penyagolosa Trails is the greatest sporting pride of this Provincial Council, thanks to the 2,100 athletes who will lace up their shoes on April 12, 2025, to run our trails and reach Sant Joan de Penyagolosa,” she emphasized.

Barrachina expressed her gratitude to the organizers and athletes for continually enhancing Penyagolosa Trails. “Your participation is the DNA, the heart that gives meaning and purpose to every kilometer. Thank you for being the essence that makes this challenge extraordinary.”

She also praised the collaboration of Castellón’s residents, saying the event wouldn’t be the same without their involvement. “This race thrives on the commitment of municipalities, sports clubs, and the people of Castellón. Your energy, dedication, and time make this an unforgettable experience for every runner.”

“Seeing the local communities so involved in supporting this race and helping each athlete connects you to the passion and effort of the runners,” said Barrachina, reflecting on her emotional experience during the previous edition of Penyagolosa Trails.

An International Event of Growing Prestige

Tico Cervera, director of ASICS Penyagolosa Trails, highlighted the event’s rising prominence both nationally and internationally, with 57% of preregistered participants coming from outside the province of Castellón. He expressed gratitude to the 4,791 preregistered participants from 40 countries and 47 Spanish provinces.

Cervera also acknowledged the ongoing support of the Provincial Council of Castellón and the Generalitat Valenciana, who have consistently championed Penyagolosa Trails year after year.

The Charitable Side of ASICS Penyagolosa Trails

During the event, a check for €1,750 was presented to the Spanish Association Against Cancer. This amount represents one euro per finisher, donated by ASICS Penyagolosa Trails to support the cause.

Additionally, organizers reminded attendees that those who don’t secure a bib in the lottery can still participate by purchasing a solidarity bib. These are available through the Huellas Callejeras Animal Protection Association or Payasospital, a non-profit organization conducting clown intervention programs in pediatric wards across Valencian public hospitals.

A Day Full of Surprises

More than 100 attendees enjoyed several additional prize draws alongside the traditional bib lottery. Three lucky participants walked away with amazing prizes: a pair of ASICS Trabuco 13 shoes, Suunto Sonic bone conduction headphones, and a complete set of ASICS apparel.

The journey to ASICS Penyagolosa Trails 2025 has begun. Today, at 12:00 PM, pre-registration opened for the 26th edition of the MiM and the 13th edition of the CSP. The pre-registration period will close on December 9 at 7:00 PM.

The bib lottery will take place on December 12 at the reception hall of the Diputació de Castelló and can be followed via live streaming. During the event, the 1,500 lucky runners selected for the MiM and the 600 for the CSP will be announced.

MiM: 60K +3,300mD+
ASICS Penyagolosa Trails® MiM covers 60 kilometers and over 3,300 meters of elevation gain, crossing through the towns of Castelló, Borriol, Vilafamés, Les Useres, Xodos, and Vistabella. The race ends at Sant Joan de Penyagolosa, located at an altitude of 1,280 meters. Participants must complete the course within 15 hours.

CSP: 110K +5,600mD+
ASICS Penyagolosa Trails® CSP is a 106-kilometer semi-self-sufficient ultratrail with 5,600 meters of elevation gain and 4,400 meters of descent. Starting at sea level, the race concludes at the Santuario de Sant Joan de Penyagolosa. The course crosses through Castelló, Borriol, Vilafamés, Les Useres, Atzeneta, Benafigos, Culla, Xodos, Villahermosa, and Vistabella. Runners have a maximum of 25 hours and 30 minutes to complete the race.

ASICS Penyagolosa Trails Prioritizes Scientific Research
This year, 50 CSP participants—25 men and 25 women—will have the opportunity to participate in the Penyagolosa Trails Saludable research project, led by a team of scientists from Universitat Jaume I. The study aims to analyze participants’ fitness levels, examine how ascents and descents impact performance, and identify key recovery factors.

Tico Cervera, director of ASICS Penyagolosa Trails, highlighted the importance of the 2025 edition, which opens its pre-registration period on November 21, 2024. Cervera expressed excitement about the enthusiasm this event generates among both national and international runners and emphasized the organization’s commitment to minimizing environmental impact within the Parc Natural del Penyagolosa. “The 2025 edition aims to remain a leader in ultra distance runner research, supported by a cutting-edge team from Universitat Jaume I,” he stated.

Marta Barrachina, president of the Provincial Council of Castellón, described ASICS Penyagolosa Trails as “a dream for most mountain-running enthusiasts.” She invited trail runners to secure their spot in this prestigious event, which perfectly combines sport and nature while promoting the region’s interior.

ASICS Penyagolosa Trails has achieved remarkable milestones, preserving its mission to promote the region and its natural heritage while traversing historical trails that have connected communities for centuries. Supported by clubs and volunteers, the event has hosted national and international championships, including the 2018 Trail World Championships and the 2022 Spanish Championship. On September 27, it was honored with the Sports Merit Award, recognizing its impact on sports, nature, and the community.

Don’t miss your chance to be part of ASICS Penyagolosa Trails 2025! Pre-register now and join a unique experience in the heart of Parc Natural del Penyagolosa. Spots are limited and will be determined during the December 12 lottery. Register today at www.penyagolosatrails.com and take the first step toward one of Spain’s most iconic trail running challenges.

Key Dates and Reminders:

• Pre-registration: November 21 to December 9, 2024
• Bib Lottery: December 12, 2024
• Race Day: April 12, 2025
• Distances: MiM 60 km and CSP 106 km
• Website: www.penyagolosatrails.com

ASICS Penyagolosa Trails, to be held on April 12, 2025, will open pre-registrations on November 21.

ASICS Penyagolosa Trails and Suunto, known for their GPS multi-sport watches and outstanding training tools, share a common passion for sports and nature. They recently announced a strategic partnership that will allow both organizations to collaborate in promoting trail running and supporting runners in reaching their goals.

Since 1936, Suunto has been a trusted brand for adventurers and has been involved in trail running since its early days. Their sports legacy is strengthened by a solid team of elite runners, including CSP winners Camille Bruyas and Hannes Namberger, as well as UTMB Mont Blanc champions Courtney Dauwalter, Francois D’Haene, and Pau Capell. Suunto watches are known for their exceptional battery life, reliability, award-winning design, and features specifically designed for training and competition.

GPS Maps on Suunto Vertical or Race for the CSP and MiM
As the official GPS watch and technical partner of ASICS Penyagolosa Trails, Suunto will assist runners in navigating the trails of Castellón province and achieving their dreams, bringing its heritage and expertise in GPS sports watches. Athletes using a Suunto Vertical or Suunto Race will have access to intuitive GPS maps in three different styles, highlighting key landmarks, elevation contours, water, paths, and various types of terrain. These maps will be available for the ASICS Penyagolosa Trails races: CSP 106Km and MiM 60Km.

Tico Cervera, Director of ASICS Penyagolosa Trails:

“We are very pleased to partner with Suunto, a brand with over 80 years of experience in creating products that runners can rely on in the most extreme conditions. By making Suunto the technical partner of ASICS Penyagolosa Trails, we will enable runners to optimize their performance through data.”

Marc Yáñez, Marketing Director Iberia at Suunto:

“We are convinced that collaboration drives the evolution of communities and individuals. It fosters relationship-building, innovation, and effective problem-solving. It is an honor for us to partner with a historic event like ASICS Penyagolosa Trails and connect with all the runners. Together, we aim to contribute to the positive development of trail running and help runners achieve their goals.”

Pre-registration period opens on November 21 at penyagolosatrails.com

ASICS Penyagolosa Trails will take place on April 12, 2025, with pre-registration opening at noon on November 21, 2024, on the official website. The pre-registration period will last for three weeks and promises unforgettable experiences for the 2,100 lucky runners who will learn the results of the lottery in December for their journey to Sant Joan de Penyagolosa.

About ASICS Penyagolosa Trails

In the 1950s, several mountaineers and hikers revived ancient paths and trails that connected villages and rural houses, creating a route from Castelló to Sant Joan de Penyagolosa. This route was called “El Sender de la Lluna Plena.” The first official edition of the race was held in 1999. Revered by hundreds of thousands of athletes, ASICS Penyagolosa Trails has become a global, premium, and leading brand. Now in its twenty-sixth anniversary, it brings together many of the best international athletes from around the world. ASICS Penyagolosa Trails is based on the core values of respect for the environment, responsibility, solidarity, and fair play.

About Suunto We champion the spirit of adventure. Since 1936, when Finnish orienteer Tuomas Vohlonen invented a more accurate and reliable compass, the pioneering spirit has been part of our DNA. Today, Suunto leads in the design and innovation of sports watches, dive computers, compasses, and digital services used by professionals in the field.

The Castelló Provincial Council has awarded this year’s Sports Merit Distinction to ASICS Penyagolosa Trails.

This distinction was part of the awards presented last night in Plaça de la Generalitat in Tírig during the celebration of Castellón Province Day.

The provincial president, Marta Barrachina, remarked that ASICS Penyagolosa Trails “is proof that when the people of Castellón believe in something, they can achieve anything.” On Tírig’s windy night, the president recalled the beginnings of the MiM and CSP races and their evolution into national and international benchmarks, leaving an indelible mark on the provincial sports community.

This is the ninth Sports Merit Distinction awarded by the Provincial Council, which highlights that “every step runners take in this race is not just a physical journey but a tribute to the strength of human courage and the athletic spirit of a remarkable land.”

Tico Cervera, director of ASICS Penyagolosa Trails, emphasized that this distinction “is an honor and a recognition of the entire province’s effort to make ASICS Penyagolosa Trails a global benchmark.”

In a video produced by the Provincial Council showcasing the values of ASICS Penyagolosa Trails, Cervera highlighted that the keys to success over more than 25 years have been the collaboration of provincial sports clubs, volunteers, security agents, medical teams, sponsors, and local councils, along with the invaluable support of the Castellón Provincial Council.

The race has announced the date for its next edition in Chamonix.

ASICS Penyagolosa Trails has confirmed that the next edition of the event will take place on the weekend of April 12 next year. Pre-registration will remain open during November and December this year, with more details about the event to be announced in the coming weeks.

The announcement was made at the UTMB Ultra-Trail Show in Chamonix, where the event is being promoted this week to thousands of participants attending the expo.

This week, Chamonix becomes the epicenter of trail running. Thanks to the support of the Castellón Provincial Council’s Tourism Board, ASICS Penyagolosa Trails has been attending since 2012, aiming to position Castellón province as an international trail-running reference and to showcase the natural beauty of Penyagolosa Natural Park and its surroundings.

ASICS Penyagolosa Trails has a booth in the Arve area of the Ultra-Trail Village, home to the world’s most acclaimed trail races. Throughout the expo, ASICS Penyagolosa Trails will organize a challenge for visitors to see who can put on the most race shirts in one minute. Will anyone manage to wear all 25 iconic MiM shirts?

Additionally, the Castellón booth will feature tastings of local cuisine throughout the week, promoting the province of Castellón in all its dimensions by connecting nature with gastronomy.

Ben Dhiman and Mercedes Pila break the record in CSP and José Ángel Fernández breaks Vicente Calvo’s historic record in MiM.. Gemma Arenas achieves her  poker of victories in ASICS Penyagolosa Trails

The 24th edition of the MiM and the 11th of the CSP promised a lot with the level of runners who was in both races. And expectations were met and even exceeded, with four absolutely incredible races that have left us 3 records, for Ben Dhiman and Mercedes Pila in the CSP and for José Ángel Fernández in MiM, and the winning poker of Gemma Arenas, who continues to grow his legend.

José Ángel Fernández “Canales” breaks the historical record of the MiM

Incredible what José Ángel Fernández “Canales” has done today in MiM. After a 2nd place in 2021 and a 5th place with a podium in the RFEA Spanish Championship in 2022, he has destroyed the clock in 2023. The Andalusian has stopped the time in 5:12:54, which means that he has beaten the Vicente Calvo’s historic record from 2011. He has set a very strong pace from the beginning, which has meant that the podium candidate squad will remain at ten before kilometer 20. As the race progressed, the man from Jaén was taking advantage and scoring partial absolutely amazing. Behind him came Mario Olmedo, who also had a great time and was 4 minutes behind Canales. The podium has been completed by Ionel Cristian Manole, who has surpassed Ramon Manetsch by a few meters.

Ben Dhiman, came for the record and  he got it

The American Ben Dhiman said in the preview that he wanted to win and do it with a record. And from the first kilometer he started setting a very high pace and each step through the different controls marked incredible partials. After Borriol, Noel Yannick caught up with him and they both went all night together. Between Vistabella and Xodos, Ben Dhiman’s pace ended up breaking the race and he began to make some differences, which although they weren’t very big, were totally decisive. If last year we were all surprised by the times set by the German Hannes Namberger, this year the American has lowered his time, leaving the clock at 10:35:48. A great time that is the new test record. He was accompanied on the podium by Noel Yannick and Hirokazu Nishimura.

Gemma Arenas, legend

Gemma Arenas has lived an idyll with ASICS Penyagolosa Trails since 2016. Two victories in CSP, two victories in MiM, two second places, a 4th place in the World Championship held here in 2018 with team gold… Every year she comes to Castellón and scores runs and always follows extraordinary results. Today her pace has been impressive from the start, soon distancing herself from her pursuers and managing to lower her times from the last edition. Only Sara-Rebeka Linde managed to stay at a short distance, for a couple of minutes. But in the final part, Gemma managed to increase those differences and reach the finish line with a spectacular time of 6:20:25. The best record of her in her career. The podium was completed by the Norwegian runner and the American Kelly Wolf.

Mercedes Pila, returned in style

Mercedes Pila has achieved her second CSP today and she has done it in a spectacular way. Record of the rade for the Ecuadorian, who has set a real run. Pila won the race in 2016 and finished second in in 2017, behind Gemma Arenas. Six years later she has returned to this race and has smashed all records, 13:12:02. The Ecuadorian passed the first control of the race second, behind Jocelyne Pauly and before Camilla Spagnol. But from kilometer 40 she would put herself first and set a pace that no one has been able to follow. The French and the Italian were second and third until the end, when Camille Spagnol overtook her and got second place. Third was Joclyne Podium completing a podium under 14 hours.

Edition for the history

The director of ASICS Penyagolosa Trails, Tico Cervera, highlighted that “we have relived an edition for history, with races that have been incredible and that have allowed us to experience the magic of the Trail again.” In this sense, it must be remembered that the race has been broadcast to the whole world through the web and on television through Teledeporte and Esport 3. Finally, Tico Cervera thanked “all the work of the volunteers, who have made this edition possible. It’s impressive to see how they always throw themselves into the race and how they make everything possible. Simply thanks!”.

ASICS Penyagolosa Trails has become a benchmark in the national and international world of trail running. Last year, MiM race was Spanish Championshid and, in this year, two races present a spectacular cartel of runners, so a real battle is expected on the 22nd of April .

The presence of the German Hannes Namberger, who last year won the CSP and is considered one of the best Trail runners of mundo, is one of the news in MiM race. Following in the men’s category, it must be said that he from Dynafit will be seen with runners like Miguel Caballero, 3 times MiM winner, José Ángel Fernández “Canales”, 2nd and 5th in the last two editions, Anders Kjaerevic, 3rd in 2022, and Abel Carretero, 3º in 2021. Among other favorites we find the Chinese runner Yanquiao Yun, winner last year in Val d’Aran, the Romanians Ionel Cristian Manole, who also knows what he is winning at the Pirinaic race, and Raul Butaci, the Norwegian Didrik Hermansen, winner in Transgrancanaria and Lavaredo, the Swiss Ramon Manetsch, or the Spanish Jesús Gil. Among the local runners, Vicente Calvo, who will compete in the MiM after twelve years and he is the recordman of the race. Other runners from Castellon, are Ricardo Cherta, Alex Marín, Javier Medall or Víctor Bernad.

In the female category, we can talk about the fact that the level is the highest in history. In this race repeat the four women who occupied the four first places last year: Marta Molist, winner in 2021 and 2022, Gemma Arenas, two victories in MiM and one in CSP, Mónica Vives, two podiums in MiM, and Sara-Rebeka Linde, 4ª in one participation. In addition to them, we will meet a trail legend like Oihana Kortázar, two-times winner of the legendary Zegama, and Virginia Pérez, world champion of SkySnow. These Spanish runners will not take it easy, as they will compete with some of the best runners in the world, such as the double winner in Lavaredo, Kelly Wolf, the German Rosanna Buchauer, 5th in the last Trail World Championship, the French Jocelyne Pauly, podium in UTMB and in the last championship of France, a Polish Dominika Stelmach, world record of 12 hours.

En la CSP, in the male category there are different runner from Castellon with possibilities of victory, like Ramón Recatalá, Dani Colom and David Prades. Other favourites are the spanish runner Agustín Luján or the international runners Tom Hudec, Noel Yannick, Ben Dhiman and Hirokazu Nishimura.

In the female category, the three runners who occupied the podium in 2022 will return: Eli Ríos, Eva Mesado and Claire Heslop. In addition, the return to the race of Mercedes Pila, winner in 2016, and orher faovourite runner is the italian runner Camilia Spagnol.

A great list of national and international runners that herald spectacular races. Last year we did it and we had a stellar fight between Kevin Vermeulen and Aritz Egea that was resolved in the last metres in the men’s MiM and a tough battle in the women’s between Marta Molist, Gemma Arenas and Mónica Vives, between the ones that barely had a difference of 8 minutes. In addition, we witnessed the extraordinary races of Hannes Namberger and Eli Ríos, who crushed all the records.

ASICS Penyagolosa Trails 2023 gets underway with the already traditional presentation ceremony. A characteristic moment of the test in which the MiM participants have known the lucky numbers. The ballot drawn by the President of the Diputació de Castelló, Josep Martí, has been number 1164, so the winners will go from that same number to 2663.

El acto de hoy lo ha dirigido la periodista Violeta Tena y ha contado con la presencia del President, Josep Martí, la diputada de deportes, Tania Baños, el diputado de bomberos, Abel Ibáñez, el director general de Deporte de la Generalitat Valenciana, Josep Miquel Moya, la Delegada del Gobierno en Castellón, Eva Redondo, el representante de la Fundación Trinidad Alfonso, Dani Olmos, el márketing mánager de ASICS Iberia, Santiago Martínez, además de representantes del Villarrreal FC, Facsa, Nutrinovex, Anitin, de los ayuntamientos que forman parte del Comité de Honor y clubes colaboradores.

El president de la Diputació señalaba que “necesitamos un interior socialmente sostenible para que la gente se queden en los pueblos. Porque en los pueblos tenemos la sensación de que al hablar de sostenibilidad es como si las personas que viven en ellos estuvieran de sobra.” En este sentido, añadía que  “he de decir que Penyagolosa Trails nos pone en la cima de las grandes pruebas de montaña, genera economía y constituye campaña de imagen y publicidad impagable. Es decir, contribuye a hacer socialmente más sostenible nuestro interior”.

Por su parte, el director de ASICS Penyagolosa Trails, Tico Cervera, destacaba que “será la primera edición de normalidad absoluta desde 2019. Con unas cifras de preinscritos que son una muestra de “Ganas de recuperar el tiempo perdido (como el protagonista de la novela de Marcel Proust “En busca del tiempo perdido”) a causa de la pandemia, y de vivir el momento (Carpe diem), no dejar las cosas para el futuro (incierto)”. Cervera también ha querido dar las gracias a los “4294 preinscritos de 38 nacionalidades y de 44 provincias españolas distintas. Como en años anteriores, nos habría gustado poder ver a todos y todas en la línea de salida, pero no debemos superar la capacidad de las pruebas, tanto por responsabilidad medioambiental como para que los corredores puedan recibir la atención que merecen”.

Tico Cervera también ha querido agradecer el esfuerzo de la Diputación de Castelló i de la Generalitat Valenciana en la recuperación de Sant Joan de Penyagolosa, emblemático lugar de la provincia y meta de la MiM y la CSP. Por último, indicaba que “ASICS Penyagolosa Trails es más que un evento deportivo, queremos difundir los valores de deporte, naturaleza y saludo, contribuir a dinamizar el territorio del interior de nuestra provincia y que el evento sea una experiencia de depote y turismo para los corredores y corredoras y acompañantes.

Durante el acto también se ha hecho entrega del cheque de 1460€ a la Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer, que corresponden a un euro por finisher que entrega ASICS Penyagolosa Trails a esta causa. Al finalizar el acto, se ha realizado una foto de familia con todos los patrocinadores, entidades y clubes colaboradores.