It’s fast. Unbelievably fast. Perhaps, the World’s Fastest?
Humans are instinctively hardwired to innovate, optimize, question the impossible – to push the limit.
At Albatros Adventure Marathons, our passion for pushing the limit, sharing great experiences and achieving something extraordinary led us to originate the “adventure marathon” concept 20 years ago.
In the all-new World’s Fastest Marathon, runners will dash down a paved route that makes a sweeping, serpentine-like descent through the Sierra Nevada Mountains into the historic city of Granada.
With a 100% downhill route (less than 1km is without decline), an altitude drop of 1,938 meters (6,358 feet) and a total average descent of 4.6%, this race will keep your legs light and feet flying toward the finish line… FAST.
How much will you shave off your PR? How far will you push the limit? And who knows, maybe someone will push it below the 2-hour barrier?
Route description
The World’s Fastest Marathon starts above the ski resort town of Pradollano in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The starting line is positioned at an altitude of 2,605 meters (8,546 feet). The route continues around Pradollano.
From 8.5 KM the route continues down A-395, a mountain road that leads to the town of Granada. The halfway mark is positioned at an altitude of approximately 1,700 meters (5,577 feet). The route is 100% downhill with an average descent of 4.6%, ensuring running tempos remain high.
The prime backdrop of this race is the Sierra Nevada, a dramatic, rugged and breathtakingly beautiful mountain range in Sierra Nevada National Park (Parque Nacional de Sierra Nevada), which covers over 86,000ha in Spain’s Andalucia region. This mountain range is, in fact, the highest point in continental Spain.
Approximately 10 kilometers before the finish line, runners pass the village of Canales, then turn off A-395 to run through the villages of Pinos Genil and Cenes de la Vega. At this point, the road’s downward gradient will flatten slightly, but still continues downhill all the way to the finish line at Celador Del Paseo Del Salon, a beautiful park in the center of Granada.
Race Officials reserve the right to make adjustments to the route.
Route logistics
Kilometer signs are placed at each kilometer along the route. The signs will also indicate the equivalent distance in miles. Timing mats will be placed every 5 kilometers to record split times. There will be hydration stations serving water and energy drinks at every 4 kilometers along the route. At 28KM, each runner will receive one (1) energy gel.
For more information, have a look at the course map. While running, please make way for faster runners and keep to the right. Please note that the route is not entirely closed off for traffic. Although traffic is not heavy, take care when running on main roads and look out for vehicles. We will, however, ensure that traffic does not interfere with the progress of the race, so as to avoid delaying anyone’s time.
Start/Bib Numbers
Start/bib numbers will be distributed in your goodie bag.
Weather Conditions
This a high altitude mountain area, so the weather is unpredictable and changeable. At the start, we expect a minimum of 5-10◦C (41-50◦F), but winds can make it feel colder. As you complete your descent down the mountain and the sun continues to rise, the temperatures will increase too. At the finish line in Granada, daytime temperatures can reach up to 25◦C (77◦C).
Running Surface
The entire race is run on paved roads to help keep the speed up!
Aid Stations
There will be hydration stations at approximately every 4 kilometers along the route. Each station will offer water and energy drinks. Each runner will be offered one (1) energy gel at 28KM.
Please note, it is not possible to have personal supplies deposited along the race route. Should you wish to bring your own supplies, such as energy gels, you will need to take them with you along the route.
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