Panes to Potes Run Challenge: 28.5-Kilometer Route Through the Heart of the Picos de Europa
August 22, 2026
On Sunday, September 27 at 9:00 a.m., the Pedestrian Ascent to the Hermida Gorge will once again turn the 28.5 kilometers connecting the Asturian town of Panes and the Cantabrian town of Potes into a must-attend event for long-distance running enthusiasts.
The race, which this year enters its 39th edition, crosses the spectacular Hermida Gorge and dives into the surroundings of the Picos de Europa, tracing a landscape of great natural and cultural value.
There are 28.5 kilometers over a route of constant elevation gain, from 30 meters up to 300 meters above sea level, whose effort is offset by a privileged setting: limestone walls, mountains, forests, and the spectacular scenery of the gorge, right along the Lebaniego Camino.
The Panes-Potes is, besides, a race with history. Its longevity has made it one of the classic tests on the Asturias and Cantabria calendar and a highly valued event among runners. Panes, La Hermida, and Potes are once again linked by a competition that combines tradition, endurance running, and mountain scenery. A different, demanding, and spectacular test that offers participants the privilege of running at the heart of the Picos de Europa.
You can sign up here
Registration: 20 euros.
Santi Cobo and Vanessa del Río, the names to beat
The previous edition highlighted two standout figures. In the men’s category, Santi Cobo clinched his first victory in the Subida Pedestre al Desfiladero de la Hermida with a time of 1:37:45. While in the women’s category, Vanessa del Río again demonstrated her dominance. The Piélagos runner prevailed with a time of 2:00:05, securing her second consecutive Panes-Potes win.
Dylan Holloway
I’ve always been fascinated by the stories hidden behind a stopwatch, a finish line or a record-breaking performance. At Athletics News, I cover athletes, competitions and the moments shaping track and field, with a particular interest in the people and journeys behind the results.
