ALPINULTRAS 2018 LAST CALL TO RUN! ALL INITIAL ENTRIES SOLD OUT. PYRENEES RACES CLOSED, EXTRA 150 BIBS FOR PICOS DE EUROPA AVAILABLE

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ALPINULTRAS 2018 SELLS OUT ITS INITIAL 875 ENTRIES: PYRENEES RACES CLOSED, EXTRA 150 BIBS AVAILABLE FOR PICOS DE EUROPA

 

 

  • Alpinultras is dedicated all year round to promoting mountain traverses and the territories who host them
  • The most demanding Ultra Trail Spain is about to kick off its third edition, encompassing nutritional study, race circuit and permanent Alpin centers in the mountains.

 

For this 2018 the three pillars of the project are in line with previous years: The nutritional study to ensure optimum health among participants; the racing series to travel from the Pyrenees at Navarra on to Picos de Europa and final leg at Aragón Pyrenees plus the development of two permanent Alpinultras centers in mountain villages, both at Canfranc (Huesca province) and Zubiri (Navarra province). The Alpinultras series kick off at Nafarroa Xtrem on April 27th with 425 entries, sold out; Desafío El Cainejo is to follow on May 28th, whereas after its original 300 entries sold out, a limited extra 150 batch has been allowed in accordance with Parque Nacional Picos de Europa officials. Last comes the most severe of the three, Ultra Canfranc Canfranc whose 150 bibs have already been assigned among the applicants.

 

Alpinultras races are, according to 2016-2017 editions results the most demanding mountain races series in Spain: Two out of the three Alpinultras are acknowledged by ITRA amont the top3 “most tecnical” in the country, as measured ny their mountain points index. Also, them being held in high mountains implies that organizers at CanfrancAlpinultras do review every single entry application and admit only those whose previous background justifies it. Finally, it is necessary to complete the three races in a year to be crowned as “Alpino. Only nine people achieved it in the inaugural edition. Only seven did it last year, six of whom pose herebelow after the final leg, with their “Alpino” limited edition vest by sponsor Raidlight.

 

 

 

In 2018 the challenge involves overcoming at least 220 kilometers of trails through the mountains, climbing no less than 18,000 meters, the equivalent of a double ascent from the sea to the top of Mount Everest. This third edition offers an odissey that starts at Zubiri, among the green valleys and peaks of the Navarra Pyrenees, then it goes on to visit the ferocious “Canales” of Cain at the Picos de Europa only to close the trip after a spectacular journey over the ridges among the Aragon Pyrenees that link the Formigal, Astún and Candanchu SKI stations, up to 3.000 meters high and where last year the pelotón endured 30cm of fresh snowfall in early september.

 

 

The Alpinultras permanent Trail centers are the big long-term objective. Starting in the spring, special services will be started in Canfranc, and later Zubiri will arrive, both with the objective of operating throughout the year. Creation and beaconing of network of footpaths for walking and running; local information center to the runner and mountaineer; Non-competitive events during the year and guided excursions with the area’s grassroots are some of the services that will be offered to promote all year round the mountain regions that host Alpinultras.

 

Alpinultras Studies: Knowing ourselves better, to be able to enjoy more of the mountain. Since 2016 the Project has developd advanced studies in that field. The first one was carried out in 2016 together with the European University of Madrid on the physiology and impact of the UltraTrail. This 2018 will see the start of a second phase, focused on optimal sports nutrition before, during and after each crossing, with Nutriexper team as implements.