May 31 Desafío Achilasis Iron Man challenge and obstacle race in Archivel

The Caravaca countryside hosts its annual test of strength and resilience alongside the popular obstacle race

The details have been confirmed for this year’s “Desafío Arcilasis” event in the village of Archivel, where competitors will put to the test their strength, resilience and resourcefulness in a series of energy-sapping challenges based on those faced by Roman soldiers 2,000 years ago.

Archivel, in the countryside of Caravaca de la Cruz, is a fitting setting for such an event as most of the built-up area stands on top of an old Iberian burial ground and on the Cerro de la Fuente (known locally as “El Santo”) a late Roman fortress has been excavated, This dates from the time of the civil wars between Pompey and Julius Caesar and the relics discovered include crockery on the Cerro de la Fuente and a coin from the time of Claudius which was unearthed in Las Casicas.

Many of the building blocks used by the Iberians and the Romans were taken by locals during the repopulation of the 16th century to build their own homes.

The 2025 Desafío Arcilasis offers aspiring soldiers of the Empire the chance to compete in three disciplines; Legionnaires tackle running races of 15, 27 and 50 kilometres, Centurions take on a 50-m cycle ride and Gladiators face a 5-kilometre obstacle course. This latter event usually attracts a large number of competitors!

Desafío Arcilasis takes place this year on Saturday May 31 and registration is now open online here, the non-competitive obstacle race costing 35 euros to enter.

For more local events, news and visiting information go to the home page of Caravaca Today.