Trail running course near Tenerife, Canary Islands, ES
Tenerife Bluetrail by UTMB

Tenerife Bluetrail by UTMB 47K Relay

47K Relay·Tenerife, Spain
ultra50kmountainhigh altitudetechnicaltrailcoastal

AI-generated image

Distance47K Relay
DateMar 2026
Difficulty4/5

About This Race

The Tenerife Bluetrail 47K Relay offers teams a practical way to experience one of Europe's most distinctive trail running environments without the commitment of a solo ultra effort. By dividing the distance between multiple runners, this format opens the demanding volcanic terrain of Tenerife to a broader range of participants while maintaining the full character of the island's dramatic landscapes. Teams navigate the same technical volcanic rock, coastal paths, and high-altitude transitions that define the longer Bluetrail distances, but with the benefit of strategic planning around handoff points. The relay format creates its own challenges: coordinating logistics across remote exchanges, maintaining team momentum through varied terrain, and adapting strategy as conditions evolve throughout the race. This is trail running as a shared project rather than a solitary pursuit. The format suits runners looking to test themselves on world-class UTMB terrain while building the experience alongside teammates, or those wanting to sample Tenerife's notorious volcanic trails before committing to a full solo distance.

The relay covers a 47-kilometer section of the Bluetrail course across Tenerife's volcanic terrain. Teams encounter the same technical challenges that define the island's trails: sharp volcanic rock underfoot, exposed ridgelines with Atlantic views, and transitions between coastal sections and higher elevations. Handoff points are positioned at accessible locations, though support crews should anticipate the logistical complexity of moving between exchanges on an island where roads don't always follow the most direct routes.

Location

Practical Info

Weather

March on Tenerife typically brings mild temperatures at sea level (15-20°C), though conditions vary significantly with elevation. Coastal sections may face Atlantic winds, while higher terrain can be cooler and occasionally wet. The island's microclimates mean teams should prepare for multiple conditions across the course.

Nearest Airport

TFS - Tenerife South Airport

Accommodation

Tenerife offers extensive lodging options, from coastal resorts to mountain villages. Teams should consider proximity to both the start area and handoff points when booking, as island geography can make transit times longer than distances suggest. Early reservations are recommended given the race's position within the UTMB World Series.

Best For

experienced trail runnersmountain runnersultra runners

Notable Features

This relay provides access to the UTMB World Series experience on terrain that few other European races can match. Tenerife's volcanic landscape creates technical challenges distinct from alpine trails, with black lava rock, coastal wind exposure, and the logistical puzzle of navigating an island course as a team. The relay format allows runners to experience this demanding environment while sharing both the physical effort and the problem-solving required to move efficiently through remote handoff points.

Other Distances at This Event

3.5K

760m gain

This intense vertical challenge takes place under darkness, combining steep volcanic terrain with the unique experience of night mountain running. The compact distance packs significant elevation gain into a short but demanding climb.

24K

The route keeps to Tenerife's mid-elevation terrain, moving between coastal scrubland and the island's characteristic pine forests. Volcanic rock dominates the surface—black lava formations, embedded pumice, and weathered basalt require continuous focus. Forest sections bring shade and pine needle coverage, though roots and embedded rocks maintain the technical demand throughout.

47K

The course begins in lower elevation zones before climbing into Teide National Park, covering technical volcanic terrain that includes pine forest sections and exposed volcanic paths. The route's volcanic rock surfaces require careful foot placement. Runners should prepare for technical footing throughout, with the terrain varying from forested trails to open volcanic landscapes as elevation increases.

73K

The route begins near sea level before ascending through established trails in the pine forests that characterize Tenerife's mid-elevation zones. As runners climb, the vegetation thins and the volcanic geology becomes increasingly dramatic, with views extending across the island and out to neighboring peaks when weather permits. The technical demands intensify in the upper sections, where the trail traverses lava fields and volcanic ridges that require focused navigation and sure footing on uneven, abrasive surfaces.

110K

The course begins in coastal Tenerife before ascending through the island's geological layers. Runners navigate technical volcanic trails that transition from forested switchbacks to exposed high-altitude terrain. The summit approach to Teide crosses a stark volcanic landscape of pumice and hardened lava flows, where thin air and exposure test both physical conditioning and mental resolve. The descent retraces much of the ascent route, requiring careful footwork on technical sections that become more challenging as fatigue accumulates.