Canchaque is becoming a running arena! From October 8 to 10, 2026, the small town in the mountains of Piura will transform into the center of the northern Peruvian trail running scene. More than 500 runners are expected at the Canchaque Trail Fest – and the starting spots are already sold out.
PIURA’S MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING!
Heat, steep climbs, and challenging mountain trails: the Canchaque Trail Fest is no casual Sunday run. The third edition of the event takes participants through the mountain landscape around Canchaque. Located in the province of Huancabamba, the town is often called the “Suiza Piurana” – the Switzerland of Piura – due to its lush green surroundings and comparatively mild climate.
There are various distances to choose from, ranging from short runs to a marathon. The program includes Kids, Kilómetro Vertical, 6 kilometers, 12 kilometers Mishahuaca, 25 kilometers Palambla Skyrace, and the premier distance, the 42-kilometer Chorro Blanco Skymarathon.
42 KILOMETERS – AND 2,559 METERS OF CLIMBING!
The Chorro Blanco Skymarathon is the weekend's sporting flagship. Over 42 kilometers, participants must conquer around 2,559 meters of altitude gain. Instead of a flat asphalt route, they face steep climbs, changing terrain, and demanding mountain paths.
The shorter distances also demand a lot from participants. The 25-kilometer Palambla Skyrace, in particular, leads runners right into the heart of the mountain world around Canchaque. It requires strength and endurance, as well as off-road experience and good pacing.
THE STARTING SPOTS ARE GONE!
Interest is high: more than 500 runners are expected for the third edition. According to the organizers, the available starting spots have already been filled. In just a few years, the Canchaque Trail Fest has developed into an important gathering point for the Peruvian trail running scene.
For the small town, this rush also means significantly more visitors. Participants travel with companions, need accommodation, eat in restaurants, and shop locally. Hotels, small guesthouses, restaurants, merchants, drivers, and other service providers benefit from this.
THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN MEDALS
This economic effect is intentional. With the Canchaque Trail Fest, the organizers want not only to establish a challenging sporting event but also to boost tourism in the region. Sports should bring visitors to a part of Piura that is still relatively unknown outside of northern Peru.
In doing so, Canchaque shows a completely different side of the Departamento Piura. Instead of dry coastal landscapes, the scene is defined by green mountain slopes, agricultural land, coffee cultivation, and ancient paths. The altitude also ensures a different climate than around the city of Piura or on the Pacific coast.
CANCHAQUE IS AIMING HIGH
At the Trail Fest, the mountains are not just a beautiful backdrop. They dictate the competition and turn the various routes into a unique sporting challenge. At the same time, Canchaque presents itself to an audience that is traveling for the sport and discovering a previously lesser-known region in the process.
For the town, this effect can extend far beyond a single race weekend. Canchaque stands for mountains, agriculture, and coffee – and thus for a side of Piura that remains in the tourist shadow of the well-known coastal towns.
POINTS FOR THE BIG LEAP
The race is also of national importance in terms of sport. The Canchaque Trail Fest is part of the Peruvian Skyrunning Circuit. For ambitious participants, it is therefore not just about a good placement in Canchaque.
The results can also play a role in selecting Peruvian athletes for international competitions. The trail race in the province of Huancabamba is thus becoming a competition that could gain significance far beyond the borders of Piura.
THREE DAYS OF FULL THROTTLE IN CANCHAQUE
From October 8 to 10, 2026, Canchaque and its mountains will be dedicated to trail running. More than 500 participants, six competitions, and a premier distance of 42 kilometers with around 2,559 meters of altitude gain ensure a weekend that combines sports and tourism.
For Canchaque, this is a big stage. While the runners battle for seconds, placements, and points, the small mountain town can show why it is worth looking beyond Piura’s well-known coast.
Latest news from Peru directly in the official PeruMagazin channel.
To the WhatsApp channelEl Comercio, October 2, 2026 – Canchaque Trail Fest 2026, interview with organizer José Juan Ciccia.
Canchaque Trail Fest – Event information 2026: October 8–10, Kids, KV, 6K, 12K, 25K, and 42K.
Running 4 Peru, September 23, 2026 – Routes, altitude gain, and sporting classification.
Hero image source: Canchaque Trail Fest / Distributed via El Popular, photo taken in Canchaque, Piura. External event photo.
