The parish of Salir, in the interior of the municipality of Loulé, will once again host «the biggest trail running competition in the Algarve», the “Ultra Trilhos Rocha da Pena”, on Sunday, the 13th of August. The initiative combines the practice of a sport with more and more fans in Portugal and around the world with direct contact with nature, with a very special framework: the Protected Landscape of Rocha da Pena.
At a time when registration is closed for the three planned routes – 48 km, 24 km and 16 km -, the ATR-Associação Algarve Trail Running, which co-organizes the event, announced that 600 athletes from 8 nationalities, among which «the entire national elite of the sport». The race, in addition to counting for the National Trail and Ultra Trail championships, also allows points to be scored for «the “mecca” of trail running in the world, the UTMB – Ultra Trail of Mont Blanc».
This is a test for those who like to test their limits, but also for those who accompany them. The organization expects "a large influx of public who will be able to watch the performance of athletes on arrival and departure at the Salir sports complex, as well as in the spectacle zones that will be installed". The location of these areas and other points of interest of the “Ultra Trail Rocha da Pena” can be consulted here.
«UTRP 2017 marks the affirmation of the Algarve in trail running, so the organization has some new features, such as the Visacar goal wheel in Penina, in addition to the well-known Fnac climb and the kids space, where children can be entertained with a set of activities, while the athlete parents enjoy the race», added the ATR.
Ultra Trail Rocha da Pena is an organization of the ATR-Algarve Trail Running Association with the collaboration of the ACS-Cultural Association of Salir and the ACS Motorism Section (Salir TT), with the support of the Loulé City Council, of the Junta de Parish of Salir and the Union of Parishes of Querença, Tôr and Benafim. The organization also has the support of several local and national companies.
Full program:
Saturday August 12nd
Location – Salir sports complex
16:00 – Opening of the secretariat to raise dorsal in Loulé
22:00 – Closing of the Secretariat
Sunday August 13th
Location – Salir sports complex
6:00 am – Opening of the Secretariat
6:15 am – Start of control 0 UTRP 48 km
6:50 am – Control closing 0 UTRP 48 km
6:55 am – UTRP Briefing 48 km
7:00 am – Start UTRP 48 km/Start control 0 TLRP 24 km
7:50 am – Control lock 0 TLRP 24 km
7:55 am – 24 km TLRP Briefing
8:00 am – Start TLRP 25km/Start control 0 TCRP 16km
8:20 am – Closing control 0 TCRP 16 km
8:25 am – TCRP Briefing 16 km
8:30 am – TCRP departure 16 km
13:00 – Cutoff time for the “Ascent of Death”
Organization Note: applicable cutoff for all competitive distances; athletes who arrive at the base of the “Ascent of Death” after 13:00 will be prevented from continuing in the competition and will be transported to the Goal by the Organization.
13:30 – Start of the 16km awards ceremony and a Tom-Tom GPS draw among the 16km finalists present.
14:00 – Time limit TLRP 24 km
14:30 pm – Start of the 24km awards ceremony
15:45 pm – Delivery of the FNAC Mountain and Meta Volante Visacar Awards
16:00 – Start of the 48km awards ceremony (athletes who complete the podium in levels and who are not present will be called later to the podium).
19:00 – UTRP 48 km time limit
20:00 – Closing of the event
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