GFNY Punta del Este returns on Sunday, March 15, 2026, with two route options starting and finishing at Parador Pedro Figari on the Uruguayan coast. The Long Course covers 124.2km with 967m of climbing; the Medium Course offers 75.1km with 645m of climbing. Corrals close at 7:55 AM.
GFNY Punta del Este 2026 at a glance
Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Course closes | |
| Date | |
| Expo & registration | |
| Long Course | |
| Mandatory kit | |
| Medium Course | |
| Nearest airport | |
| Start time |
First, the rules that catch people out. You must wear the official GFNY jersey provided at registration. You must collect your packet in person at the expo on Friday or Saturday – there is no race-day pickup. Headphone use results in immediate disqualification. And if you are flying into Carrasco International Airport (MVD) in Montevideo rather than Punta del Este's own airport (PDP), organisers stipulate landing by 11:00 AM on Saturday to reach the expo in time. Plan accordingly.
Where the road bites
The opening 22km follow the coastline and are often influenced by wind. Southerly gusts of 15–25mph are common along this stretch, and they turn a flat road into an energy sink. Stay sheltered in the group, drink early, and resist the urge to chase.
The real selection happens inland. After El Chorro – a short, sharp 800m ramp that arrives early – Long Course riders face four climbs packed into roughly 30km: Cerro Negro (400m), Pueblo Edén (1.1km), Los Hermanos (1.1km), and the course's hardest effort, Zanja del Tigre (3.6km). None are alpine in length, but stacked together they ride like a Spring Classic. Repeated anaerobic efforts in warm conditions – expect highs around 24°C – make cramp management a genuine concern later.
At 106km, El Ramallo (600m) arrives when glycogen stores are low. Then comes the decisive moment: Punta Ballena, a categorised climb just 12km from the finish. It is exposed, often windy, and placed late enough to break riders who over-committed in the hinterland. The final 7km back along the coast the can deliver crosswinds that shatter tired groups.
GFNY 124km loop. Image: Mapmyride
For gearing, a compact chainset paired with a wide-range cassette (at least 11-32) makes sense given the repeated punchy efforts. Tyre choice should prioritise puncture protection and stability over marginal aero gains – after 150km in crosswinds, confident handling matters more than a few saved watts.
Logistics and recovery
While the official host hotel, AWA Boutique & Design Hotel, remains the starting point for pre-race group rides, the 2026 expo and registration have moved to Espacio Gorlero (Las Focas 9001, Punta del Este). Wherever you stay, GFNY partner hotels typically allow bikes in rooms and offer early breakfast from 5:00 AM on race day, which is always worth confirming when booking. The Atlántico Boutique Hotel near the Peninsula lighthouse also caters well to riders, offering bike storage and participant discounts.
The Recovery Zone at Parador Pedro Figari opens at 10:00 AM with a post-race meal for all finishers. With a strictly enforced 1:30 PM course closure, Medium Course riders have generous time, but Long Course participants should plan for a realistic finishing window of five to five-and-a-half hours and pace the climb cluster accordingly.
Punta del Este earns its "Monaco of the South" label through waterfront restaurants and nightlife, but the real draw here is the course itself: a compact, wind-shaped challenge that rewards patience over power.
