The Serranía de Ronda is gearing up to host one of the most anticipated sporting events on the Andalusian and national calendar: the 101 Kilometers of La Legión 2026. This emblematic ultramarathon, scheduled from May 8 to 10, will gather 9,000 participants, solidifying its reputation as a benchmark event due to its physical and mental demands, as well as the values it promotes.
Starting and finishing in Ronda, the race route will also pass through the municipalities of Arriate, Setenil de las Bodegas, Alcalá del Valle, Montejaque, and Benaoján. The organization will maintain the classic modalities: individual and team foot marches, both with a 24-hour limit, and the mountain bike competition, with a 12-hour limit. A notable new feature for this edition is the expansion of the children's race, which will involve 1,200 participants and will extend to all towns along the route, not just Ronda.
“"The 101 Kilometers of La Legión in Ronda are already a true benchmark within ultramarathon races due to their physical and mental toughness, but also because of the values they transmit. Among them, he highlighted camaraderie, discipline, endurance, hard work, the ability to overcome challenges, generosity, and solidarity."
The event's presentation was attended by Francisco Salado, president of the Provincial Council of Málaga, and Colonel Fernando Sánchez Pérez, head of the 4th Alejandro Farnesio Tercio of La Legión. Salado emphasized the strong bond between La Legión and the Ronda region, highlighting Málaga's recognition of the military corps' work in peace missions and disaster relief.
Colonel Fernando Sánchez Pérez detailed the main challenges for this edition, including the overlap with La Legión's upcoming deployment to Slovakia on NATO's eastern flank, and the condition of the trails after recent February storms, which might necessitate route adjustments. The race's international profile is bolstered by participants from countries such as Portugal, France, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Poland.
The scale of the event is reflected in its extensive human and logistical deployment. A total of 900 legionaries, along with medical staff, nurses, volunteer students of physiotherapy, nursing, and podiatry, Civil Protection volunteers, and personnel from the Provincial Fire Consortium of Málaga, Guardia Civil, National Police, and local police forces, will ensure participant safety and support. Aid stations will be set up approximately every five kilometers for marchers and every ten to fifteen kilometers for cyclists, offering a wide variety of food and drinks to meet the demands of the race.
