Rea Palus Race launches a major new challenge for 2026: RPR Tough Experience, a two‑day multisport cross‑endurance event designed for athletes who want more than a single obstacle race and are ready to test themselves across different disciplines on the Ligurian coast.
Set in and around Santa Margherita Ligure on 30–31 May 2026, RPR Tough Experience combines the iconic Santa Cross with an additional day of racing to find out who is the most resilient, versatile and complete RPR athlete.
Santa Cross – Phase 1
Santa Cross 2026 remains a stand‑alone race and the gateway to the whole Tough Experience weekend.
Phase 1 includes:
- 1 km open‑water swim
- 6 km trail run
- 4 km kayak along the coastline
You can still register only for Santa Cross if you want to enjoy the original format. A valid competitive medical certificate is required.
RPR Tough Experience – Phase 1 + Phase 2
RPR Tough Experience includes both Santa Cross (Phase 1) and an additional Phase 2 on Saturday afternoon and Sunday.
It is not possible to enter Phase 2 alone: every Tough Experience athlete must start from the Santa Cross.
After finishing Phase 1, selected athletes continue with a structured multisport programme that mixes endurance, technical skills and focus:
- MTB Enduro on the hills above the Tigullio Gulf
- Orienteering with navigation and route choices on varied terrain
- Fitness Test to measure strength, power and recovery
- Mini OCR in true Rea Palus Race style, with technical obstacles
- Target shooting, to test precision and control under fatigue
The exact timetable and flow between disciplines are designed to reward athletes who know how to manage pace, recovery and strategy over an entire weekend.
Services, gear and race logistics
RPR Tough Experience is built as a premium, limited‑entry experience, with race services designed specifically for endurance athletes:
- Competitive medical certificate mandatory
- Guaranteed entry to Santa Cross 2026 as the opening stage
- Personal gear box (60×40×30 cm) handled and transported by the organisers between arenas
- Personal mountain bike required for the MTB Enduro sections
- Smartphone and power bank required for navigation, briefings and safety
- Exclusive lounge areas between stages to rest, refuel and connect with other athletes
- One overnight stay in Santa Margherita Ligure included or available as an optional package
- Meals included or optional for the full weekend, tailored to endurance needs
The weekend ends with the official awards ceremony at the castle of Santa Margherita Ligure on Sunday at 16:00, where the first RPR Tough Experience champions will be crowned.
Why RPR Tough Experience is different
RPR Tough Experience is aimed at OCR racers, triathletes, trail runners, mountain bikers and outdoor athletes who are looking for:
- A multisport challenge instead of a single‑discipline race
- A full weekend built around community, performance and high‑quality race services
- A spectacular setting on the Ligurian coast, easy to reach from Italy and from abroad
If you are searching for a “multisport endurance race in Italy 2026”, a “cross‑endurance weekend in Liguria” or an “obstacle race plus MTB and orienteering”, RPR Tough Experience is the event created exactly for that.
Registrations are not open yet. You can however fill in the interest form on the official RPR Tough Experience page to receive early updates, full race details and priority access to entries as soon as they go live.