The new race, covering 21.4 kilometers with 613 meters of elevation gain, will take place on Tuesday, February 23, expanding the official event program to nine races
The North Face Transgrancanaria will introduce a new race category in 2027 with the launch of the Open Agáldar, a 21.4-kilometer race featuring 613 meters of positive elevation gain. The event will be held on Tuesday, February 23, kicking off a week in which Gran Canaria becomes the global epicenter of trail running. The official presentation took place this morning in the Sábor Hall at Gáldar Town Hall, alongside the mayor and representatives of the event organization.
Gáldar’s mayor, Teodoro Sosa, highlighted the importance of the municipality joining the Transgrancanaria universe. “Gáldar could not stay behind in a sport like trail running, which is increasingly growing in Gran Canaria and is here to stay. The number of participants is the best indicator that something is becoming firmly established.”
Sosa also emphasized the symbolic value of the municipality lending its name to the new race. “The Transgrancanaria brand is more than consolidated and internationally recognized. Adding the name ‘Open Agáldar’ is valuable both for us and for the race. This is where it all began—Gáldar is the cradle, the essence, the roots, and the identity of our society.”
Regarding the course, the mayor highlighted the uniqueness of the landscape. “The route carries great meaning and symbolism. It runs through a preserved mid-altitude landscape, with rugged terrain in the northern ravines, reaching a sacred mountain for the people of Gáldar, Amagro.” He added that “Transgrancanaria arrives in Gáldar, which we believe has the geographical and emotional characteristics to make it unforgettable.” He also acknowledged the efforts of the Tourism and Sports Departments, led by Ulises Miranda and Ancor Bolaños.
Carlos González, director of The North Face Transgrancanaria, welcomed Gáldar into the race program. “We are delighted to welcome the municipality of Gáldar to this event. Traditionally, Transgrancanaria has passed through Gáldar, especially in the highlands such as Fagagesto. For 2027, following this agreement, we are adding a new category, Open Agáldar, which is especially meaningful as we reinforce Transgrancanaria as part of our identity. Including a municipality that is at the cultural origin of the island is highly symbolic.”
González also described the key features of the new race. “It is a very attractive course: 21.4 kilometers with mostly favorable elevation. It will pass by Amagro Mountain, which holds significant historical value. We are convinced it will complement the existing Transgrancanaria race offerings.”
María García, Institutional Relations Manager at Arista Eventos, thanked Gáldar Town Hall for its commitment. “We would like to thank Gáldar Town Hall and welcome them to Transgrancanaria, a global benchmark event that aims to project the image of Gran Canaria worldwide. A new window now opens with Gáldar.”
García also highlighted the accessibility of the new race. “We are proud to introduce this category, which reflects Canarian identity. It is also an accessible race designed to promote physical activity and trail running in Gáldar and across the island.”
The Open Agáldar will take participants through some of the municipality’s most representative landscapes—from the lush green midlands and traditional farmsteads where livestock produce the renowned Gáldar cheeses, to the distinctive red soils of Pico Viento near Samarrita. The race offers a journey through the contrasting natural and cultural heritage of northwest Gran Canaria.
The route will descend among cardon cacti lining the trails toward El Agazal, cross the El Juncal ravine, and pass through the surroundings of Amagro Mountain, an area of extraordinary historical, archaeological, and spiritual value that preserves part of the island’s ancestral memory. Open Agáldar is therefore born as an opportunity to discover, step by step, the natural, cultural, and human richness of what was once the first capital of Gran Canaria.
Registrations open in two weeks
LRegistration for the 2027 edition will open on July 1 at 12:00 (local time) via the official website: www.transgrancanaria.net. The race continues to grow within the international trail running calendar, having gathered more than 6,000 athletes from 75 nationalities in its latest edition.
The North Face Transgrancanaria is organized by Arista Eventos and sponsored by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria, through Turismo de Gran Canaria and the Island Sports Institute; the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria through its Municipal Sports Institute; the municipalities of Gáldar, San Bartolomé de Tirajana, Teror, Santa Lucía de Tirajana, and Tejeda. It is also supported by The North Face, Hospitales Universitarios San Roque, Lopesan Hotel Group, ExpoMeloneras, 226ERS, Fred. Olsen Express, Sonocom Audiovisuales, and Aguas de Teror.
Photos: Carlos Díaz-Recio