Castanheira de Pera in Central Portugal will host qualified athletes representing 28 national leagues for the inaugural International Trail Running Association (ITRA) National League European Final on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Held as part of the Ultra Trail Aldeias do Xisto (UTAX) event, the ITRA final brings together runners who earned their places through performances in their respective national series across the European continent.
The final will take place on the 54km UTAX TSL course, featuring 3,200m of elevation gain. Starting and finishing in Castanheira de Pera, the route crosses the mountainous terrain and forested landscapes of the Serra da Lousã, an area known for its traditional Aldeias do Xisto (Schist Villages).
Qualification for the ITRA National League European Final was based on overall and age-group 2025 National League rankings, providing athletes across all age categories the opportunity to compete at an international level. The race features a total prize fund of €50,000 distributed across overall standings, age-group categories, and three timed-segment challenges, including Uphill, Sprint, and Downhill competitions.
Launched in 2021, the ITRA National League operates on a ‘Run Local’ ethos designed to encourage participants to compete within their home countries while establishing a structured pathway to international competition. The inaugural European Final marks the first continental final for the series, with ITRA planning to expand the model to additional continents globally.
The event is supported by regional tourism organisation Turismo Centro de Portugal, alongside ITRA, UTAX event organisers, and local stakeholders, aiming to promote Central Portugal as an international destination for active and sports tourism.
Rui Ventura, President at Turismo Centro de Portugal, said “It is a great pleasure for Centro de Portugal to host the inaugural ITRA National League European Final in Castanheira de Pera. Welcoming athletes from so many European countries is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the quality of the region’s trails, as well as the beauty of its landscapes and the warm hospitality of its communities.”
The ITRA National League European Final is scheduled to start at 08:30 WEST on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in Castanheira de Pera.
ITRA is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to the development, promotion, and governance of trail running. The ITRA National League connects athletes through national race series to support sustainable growth in trail running and provide structured progression for competitors. Turismo Centro de Portugal is the regional tourism board developing sports tourism initiatives across the Serra da Lousã and surrounding regions through its MOVE Centro Portugal program.
