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The 2025 XTERRA European Trail Run Championship takes place on November 8 in Collbató, Catalonia, as the Montserrat region celebrates the 1,000th anniversary of its historic monastery. Set within Montserrat Natural Park, the event connects athletes and explorers with one of Europe’s most distinctive mountain massifs, where centuries of history and natural beauty meet.
Now in its 37th year, the event builds on the legacy of the Cursa de l’Alba, bringing together 1,000 participants from across Europe and around the world. The 22K Trail Half Marathon and 42K Trail Marathon serve as the official European Championship races, joined by the 12K Trail Run for families, friends, and locals to discover the terrain in a shorter distance. The 42K holds particular importance this year, permitted only as part of the Millennium celebrations to cross the protected heart of Montserrat.
European titles will be awarded across all age groups in both championship distances, and 232 qualifying slots will be distributed for the 2026 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in Gozo, Malta.
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Montserrat rises northwest of Barcelona, its serrated ridges giving the mountain its Catalan name. Reaching 1,236M at Sant Jeroni, it stands as a defining symbol of Catalonia. Declared a Natural Park in 1987, its cliffs, forests, and network of trails form one of the most distinctive outdoor settings in Europe.
In 1025, the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat was founded after the discovery of a sacred image in a nearby cave. For a millennium, the monastery has been a center of culture and learning, home to one of the world’s oldest active printing presses, established in 1499, and a library and museum that preserve centuries of Catalan history.
At the southern base of the mountain lies Collbató, inhabited since around 4000 BC and known today as the main gateway to Montserrat. Above the town, the Salnitre Caves display flowing limestone formations that inspired Antoni Gaudí’s designs, including the Sagrada Família and other works throughout Barcelona. Collbató remains deeply connected to the mountain’s landscape and traditions, hosting climbers, hikers, and trail runners. Among them is Catalan mountain runner Kilian Jornet, who has often described Montserrat as one of the places that first inspired his love for the mountains.
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Montserrat is using its millennium year to lead new environmental efforts. Solar panels are being installed on monastery buildings, lighting and heating systems are being modernized, and electric shuttles are replacing older transport to cut emissions. A waste and recycling program is in place across all facilities, supported by a water plan that collects rainwater and improves reservoir use.
The wider community plays an equal role. Park rangers, volunteers, and local groups maintain trails, repair erosion, and reforest damaged areas. Every event on the mountain, including the XTERRA European Trail Run Championship, follows strict rules to prevent litter and limit participant numbers, ensuring the terrain stays healthy.
Sharing Montserrat’s story with a global audience helps raise awareness of the care and cooperation needed to protect the places we play. The same mountain that challenges athletes continues to teach respect for nature and the value of preservation.
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42K Trail Marathon
Known locally as the Marató de Montserrat, this one-time-only race celebrates the Millennium of Montserrat. Covering 42K with roughly 2,500M+ (8,200 ft+) of elevation gain, it begins in Collbató and ascends through ancient footpaths toward the Pla de Sant Miquel and the monastery before tackling the steep stairway to Sant Jeroni, the highest point of the mountain at 1,236M (4,055 ft). From the summit, runners can see across Catalonia and even to Mallorca on clear days before descending through rocky trails and forest paths to the finish in Collbató’s historic square.
22K Trail Half Marathon
The Cursa de l’Alba, now in its 37th edition, covers about 22K with 1,200M+ (3,900 ft+) of elevation gain. Beginning in Collbató at the base of Montserrat, the route climbs through ancient stone steps and forest trails toward the Pla de Sant Miquel, then continues past the monastery before ascending more than 1,200 steps to Sant Jeroni. The descent follows technical mountain paths back toward Collbató, completing one of the most respected courses in Catalan trail running.
12K Trail Run
Called the MitjAlba, this course includes about 600M+ (1,950 ft+) of elevation gain and welcomes locals, families, and visiting runners alike. It rises toward the Pla de Sant Miquel before descending along wooded trails and open viewpoints, offering a sense of discovery that connects all abilities to the mountain’s natural rhythm.
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“Hosting the XTERRA European Championship this year is a recognition of 36 years of work,” said Race Director Joan Arnau. “We’ve organized Catalonia Championships and selection championships, but this will be the crowning achievement.”
Mayor Gemma Rodriguez reflected on what this moment means for her community. “This year, coinciding with the Millennium of Montserrat, will be a very special event that allows us to showcase our Montserrat mountain. Every kilometer, every meter, every stone is unique.”
Clara Bozzo Closas (ESP, 40–44), who finished third in her age group at the 2024 XTERRA European Trail Run Championship in Arinsal, La Massana, Andorra, returns this year to tackle the Marathon distance. “The Cursa de l’Alba was one of the first races I ever ran, and I had always wanted to run the marathon distance,” she said. “How could I miss this special occasion to run such a special event on this new unique track through the magic mountain? I dedicate this race to all the volunteers that make it possible, and I hope that all participants will love running in such an amazing landscape.”
Àlex Cavaller Garcia (ESP, 20–24) says the Marathon will be his first and one filled with meaning. “This will be my first marathon ever, and there’s no better place to do it than on such a memorable mountain. Friends and family will be there, so I believe it will be a very emotional race. I’ve overcome a difficult period in my life, and trail running has shown me a way to escape my concerns. I dedicate this run to my grandfather, Manel, who passed away two years ago and often told us stories about visiting Montserrat.”
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Nicolas Wattelle (FRA, 35–39), also a 2024 age-group bronze finisher in Andorra, will take part in the Trail Marathon. “I’m running this Trail for fun with friends, with no objective of time — just the pleasure to be in Montserrat on a Saturday morning.”
Arnaud Binst (BEL, 25–29) added, “I finished the XTERRA World Championship in Molveno and was looking for one last goal for this year. I have a good friend living close to Montserrat. I contacted him, and he invited me to his parents’ house to meet them for the first time after five years of friendship. Let’s see where I finish — no pressure at all, just having fun.”
Richard Hardy (GBR, 70–74), reigning XTERRA Trail Run World Champion in his age group, noted that the appeal was immediate. “I love mountain running, to challenge myself, and to enjoy amazing scenery. When I saw this race on the XTERRA website in such a beautiful setting as the mountains of northern Spain, and that it was close to Barcelona — a place my wife has always wanted to visit — it was an absolute no-brainer to enter.”
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The XTERRA European Trail Run Championship shines a light on Collbató, the small gateway village at Montserrat’s base where community and mountain are inseparable. Local hiking club 4000 Peus and event producer Ocisport work together to host the race with support from the Montserrat Park and the Catalan hiking federation. Volunteers, guides, and families from the town all play their part in bringing the championship to life.
This year’s celebration coincides with the Montserrat Millennium 1025–2025, marking a thousand years of continuity in a place that has always united culture and nature. On race day, banners line the streets, information points share the mountain’s history, and generations of Collbató families gather to cheer or compete. Grandparents offer encouragement as their grandchildren run the 12K MitjAlba, continuing a local tradition of outdoor challenge and care for the land.
Running here means following paths once taken by monks and pilgrims. The silence of early morning, the sound of bells echoing from the monastery, and the view of sunlit cliffs all serve as reminders of Montserrat’s legacy. It is a place where endurance and community meet, and where every step connects runners to a thousand years of exploration.
The 2025 XTERRA European Trail Run Championship takes place on November 8 in Collbató, Catalonia, as the Montserrat region celebrates the 1,000th anniversary of its historic monastery. Set within Montserrat Natural Park, the event connects athletes and explorers with one of Europe’s most distinctive mountain massifs, where centuries of history and natural beauty meet.
Now in its 37th year, the event builds on the legacy of the Cursa de l’Alba, bringing together 1,000 participants from across Europe and around the world. The 22K Trail Half Marathon and 42K Trail Marathon serve as the official European Championship races, joined by the 12K Trail Run for families, friends, and locals to discover the terrain in a shorter distance. The 42K holds particular importance this year, permitted only as part of the Millennium celebrations to cross the protected heart of Montserrat.
European titles will be awarded across all age groups in both championship distances, and 232 qualifying slots will be distributed for the 2026 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in Gozo, Malta.
Montserrat rises northwest of Barcelona, its serrated ridges giving the mountain its Catalan name. Reaching 1,236M at Sant Jeroni, it stands as a defining symbol of Catalonia. Declared a Natural Park in 1987, its cliffs, forests, and network of trails form one of the most distinctive outdoor settings in Europe.
In 1025, the Benedictine Abbey of Santa Maria de Montserrat was founded after the discovery of a sacred image in a nearby cave. For a millennium, the monastery has been a center of culture and learning, home to one of the world’s oldest active printing presses, established in 1499, and a library and museum that preserve centuries of Catalan history.
At the southern base of the mountain lies Collbató, inhabited since around 4000 BC and known today as the main gateway to Montserrat. Above the town, the Salnitre Caves display flowing limestone formations that inspired Antoni Gaudí’s designs, including the Sagrada Família and other works throughout Barcelona. Collbató remains deeply connected to the mountain’s landscape and traditions, hosting climbers, hikers, and trail runners. Among them is Catalan mountain runner Kilian Jornet, who has often described Montserrat as one of the places that first inspired his love for the mountains.
Montserrat is using its millennium year to lead new environmental efforts. Solar panels are being installed on monastery buildings, lighting and heating systems are being modernized, and electric shuttles are replacing older transport to cut emissions. A waste and recycling program is in place across all facilities, supported by a water plan that collects rainwater and improves reservoir use.
The wider community plays an equal role. Park rangers, volunteers, and local groups maintain trails, repair erosion, and reforest damaged areas. Every event on the mountain, including the XTERRA European Trail Run Championship, follows strict rules to prevent litter and limit participant numbers, ensuring the terrain stays healthy.
Sharing Montserrat’s story with a global audience helps raise awareness of the care and cooperation needed to protect the places we play. The same mountain that challenges athletes continues to teach respect for nature and the value of preservation.
42K Trail Marathon
Known locally as the Marató de Montserrat, this one-time-only race celebrates the Millennium of Montserrat. Covering 42K with roughly 2,500M+ (8,200 ft+) of elevation gain, it begins in Collbató and ascends through ancient footpaths toward the Pla de Sant Miquel and the monastery before tackling the steep stairway to Sant Jeroni, the highest point of the mountain at 1,236M (4,055 ft). From the summit, runners can see across Catalonia and even to Mallorca on clear days before descending through rocky trails and forest paths to the finish in Collbató’s historic square.
22K Trail Half Marathon
The Cursa de l’Alba, now in its 37th edition, covers about 22K with 1,200M+ (3,900 ft+) of elevation gain. Beginning in Collbató at the base of Montserrat, the route climbs through ancient stone steps and forest trails toward the Pla de Sant Miquel, then continues past the monastery before ascending more than 1,200 steps to Sant Jeroni. The descent follows technical mountain paths back toward Collbató, completing one of the most respected courses in Catalan trail running.
12K Trail Run
Called the MitjAlba, this course includes about 600M+ (1,950 ft+) of elevation gain and welcomes locals, families, and visiting runners alike. It rises toward the Pla de Sant Miquel before descending along wooded trails and open viewpoints, offering a sense of discovery that connects all abilities to the mountain’s natural rhythm.
“Hosting the XTERRA European Championship this year is a recognition of 36 years of work,” said Race Director Joan Arnau. “We’ve organized Catalonia Championships and selection championships, but this will be the crowning achievement.”
Mayor Gemma Rodriguez reflected on what this moment means for her community. “This year, coinciding with the Millennium of Montserrat, will be a very special event that allows us to showcase our Montserrat mountain. Every kilometer, every meter, every stone is unique.”
Clara Bozzo Closas (ESP, 40–44), who finished third in her age group at the 2024 XTERRA European Trail Run Championship in Arinsal, La Massana, Andorra, returns this year to tackle the Marathon distance. “The Cursa de l’Alba was one of the first races I ever ran, and I had always wanted to run the marathon distance,” she said. “How could I miss this special occasion to run such a special event on this new unique track through the magic mountain? I dedicate this race to all the volunteers that make it possible, and I hope that all participants will love running in such an amazing landscape.”
Àlex Cavaller Garcia (ESP, 20–24) says the Marathon will be his first and one filled with meaning. “This will be my first marathon ever, and there’s no better place to do it than on such a memorable mountain. Friends and family will be there, so I believe it will be a very emotional race. I’ve overcome a difficult period in my life, and trail running has shown me a way to escape my concerns. I dedicate this run to my grandfather, Manel, who passed away two years ago and often told us stories about visiting Montserrat.”
Nicolas Wattelle (FRA, 35–39), also a 2024 age-group bronze finisher in Andorra, will take part in the Trail Marathon. “I’m running this Trail for fun with friends, with no objective of time — just the pleasure to be in Montserrat on a Saturday morning.”
Arnaud Binst (BEL, 25–29) added, “I finished the XTERRA World Championship in Molveno and was looking for one last goal for this year. I have a good friend living close to Montserrat. I contacted him, and he invited me to his parents’ house to meet them for the first time after five years of friendship. Let’s see where I finish — no pressure at all, just having fun.”
Richard Hardy (GBR, 70–74), reigning XTERRA Trail Run World Champion in his age group, noted that the appeal was immediate. “I love mountain running, to challenge myself, and to enjoy amazing scenery. When I saw this race on the XTERRA website in such a beautiful setting as the mountains of northern Spain, and that it was close to Barcelona — a place my wife has always wanted to visit — it was an absolute no-brainer to enter.”
The XTERRA European Trail Run Championship shines a light on Collbató, the small gateway village at Montserrat’s base where community and mountain are inseparable. Local hiking club 4000 Peus and event producer Ocisport work together to host the race with support from the Montserrat Park and the Catalan hiking federation. Volunteers, guides, and families from the town all play their part in bringing the championship to life.
This year’s celebration coincides with the Montserrat Millennium 1025–2025, marking a thousand years of continuity in a place that has always united culture and nature. On race day, banners line the streets, information points share the mountain’s history, and generations of Collbató families gather to cheer or compete. Grandparents offer encouragement as their grandchildren run the 12K MitjAlba, continuing a local tradition of outdoor challenge and care for the land.
Running here means following paths once taken by monks and pilgrims. The silence of early morning, the sound of bells echoing from the monastery, and the view of sunlit cliffs all serve as reminders of Montserrat’s legacy. It is a place where endurance and community meet, and where every step connects runners to a thousand years of exploration.
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