Habibi Conquers La Palma's El Reventón 12 Times
Tenerife runner Arezki Habibi completed an epic personal challenge on La Palma, repeatedly ascending and descending the renowned El Reventón section twelve times, covering 61.08 km and 6,108 meters in over 12 hours.
Arezki Habibi, a runner from Tenerife, has just completed an incredible personal challenge on the island of La Palma, pushing the boundaries of trail running. He climbed and descended a famous section called El Reventón twelve times. This climb is so well-known it even gives its name to a prestigious annual mountain race.
The effort lasted over twelve hours – precisely 12 hours, 27 minutes, and 32 seconds – starting at 7:42 AM and finishing at 8:09 PM. During this time, Habibi covered 61.08 kilometers and climbed a total of 6,108 meters. These numbers are similar to what you'd find in an ultramarathon. Habibi is no stranger to this route; he already holds the record for the fastest climb on El Reventón, completing it in 24 minutes and 10 seconds in 2024. This shows how well he knows the terrain.
Habibi said his challenge wasn't about competing or proving anything to others. Instead, it was a personal, almost spiritual, experience. He wanted to "remind himself who he is when fatigue appears and there are no applause," seeing it as "just another training session" despite knowing it would make an impact.
The weather made the challenge even harder. Temperatures were cool, starting at 9 degrees and ending at 11 degrees, with an average humidity of 68%. Habibi battled strong winds and even light rain, which made the rocky, zigzag parts of El Reventón slippery. Despite these tough conditions, he kept a steady pace, with an average heart rate of 159 beats per minute.
Habibi wasn't alone during this epic journey. Other trail runners from La Palma joined him for parts of the route, and about a hundred volunteers from local clubs like Hilera and Graja provided assistance. A dedicated support team and a refreshment station at the Hermitage of Nuestra Señora del Pino ensured his safety and kept him supplied throughout the day.
Even though Habibi initially wanted to complete this feat quietly and just share it on social media, his "Climb to the Stars" – as this section is often called – has become much more than a personal achievement. It's a major milestone for trail running in the Canary Islands, likely inspiring other athletes to try and match or even beat his record. The El Paso City Council's Department of Sports and the organizers of the Reventón Fred.Olsen Express (who are already planning their 2026 race for March 28) also supported his effort.