Considered a demanding and prestigious mountain race, the International Cerro Chirripó Race has officially announced its return for 2026. In its 38th edition, the event promises once again to bring together the top national and international skyrunning athletes in a vertical ascent that challenges the limits of physical endurance.
Costa Rica’s most emblematic mountain sporting event has already defined its roadmap. The 38th edition of the International Cerro Chirripó Race will officially take place on Saturday, February 21, 2026, as confirmed by the organizers.
The competition will start at 7:00 a.m. from the community of San Gerardo de Rivas and will test hundreds of athletes aiming to conquer the 34-kilometer ascent and descent along the slopes of the country’s highest mountain massif.
Held in the heart of Costa Rica’s highest massif, the race is recognized for its technical rigor and demanding climb from 1,350 meters up to the Base Crestones area, surpassing 3,000 meters above sea level over a 34-kilometer course filled with pure adrenaline. The route begins at the local soccer field and reaches the Base Crestones lodge, located at more than 3,400 meters above sea level within Chirripó National Park.
The organization has limited participation to 225 athletes, a measure aimed at balancing competition with environmental protection and the sustainability of the park’s natural surroundings. This restriction highlights the intention to minimize human impact on one of the country’s most valuable ecological areas.
Since its first edition in 1989, the Cerro Chirripó Race has built an international reputation both for the difficulty of its course — which combines mountainous terrain, changing weather conditions, and altitude variations — and for the quality of athletes it attracts each year. The route requires not only excellent physical preparation but also technical skills to tackle demanding sections under variable conditions.
The event is supported by Banco Nacional (BN), a sponsor committed to the region’s sustainable development and with more than 30 years of backing this competition. For many participants, crossing the finish line at Base Crestones represents both a sporting achievement and a transformative personal experience.
For the 38th edition, the registration process is expected to begin several months in advance through the official platforms of the San Gerardo Community Development Association (ADI). The organization has called on athletes to begin their training cycles early, given the technical complexity of the terrain and the challenges posed by high-altitude weather conditions.
