The Algarviana Ultra Trail (ALUT) returns this year, with the kick-off for the most extensive race in the country to be given on 29 November. after discord, the second edition of the competition has the support of Almargem, the managing entity of Via Algarviana.
It all starts in Alcoutim, at one end of the Algarve, and only ends at the other, at Cape São Vicente, in Sagres, over the 72 uninterrupted hours for the conclusion of the race, on December 3rd.
The announcement of the event was made during the signing of the contract between the Algarve Tourism Region (RTA) and Algarve Trail Running (ATR) to support the international trail running initiative that will cross the Algarve mountains, mostly along the Via Algarviana – a long-distance walking route, classified as Grande Rota (GR13), which invites you to discover a different Algarve.
Desidério Silva, president of RTA, congratulated the organization of ALUT – Algarviana Ultra Trail for the happy marriage between sport and tourism. «We are grateful that there are those who, knowing the territory well, are able to organize this type of competition that promotes the Algarve and, especially, its low-density territories, as an excellent destination for the sport and for nature tourism». stressed Desidério Silva.
The competition directors Bruno Rodrigues and Germano Magalhães referred to the «very positive» results of the first ALUT, both from a sporting point of view and in terms of the impact on the population.
«The best predictions were surpassed, so expectations are very high for the 2nd edition. This competition that puts the Algarve to the test requires a deep knowledge of the territory and a huge effort to unite all the entities involved, from town halls to parish councils, associations and clubs, the Red Cross, firefighters, Civil Protection, Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF), GNR and Marine», they said.
On the occasion, a collaboration protocol was also signed between ATR and Almargem – Association for the Defense of the Cultural and Environmental Heritage of the Algarve, aimed at developing synergies to promote and publicize the Via Algarviana.
The vice-president of the association Edgar Figueiredo revealed that «Almargem will organize walks during the competition, in the opposite direction to the course, giving the opportunity to the participants to support the registered athletes».
In last year's edition, it should be remembered, Almargem said that it was the last to know about the event and complained of not having been involved in the organization of an event that uses the registered name and the very infrastructure of which it is the managing entity.
Registration has been open for about a month and at the moment athletes from five nations are already registered: Portugal, Spain, France, England and Uruguay.
This year, ALUT benefits from the application presented by RTA to the support line for the development of tourism in the interior of the “Valorizar Program” of Turismo de Portugal.
The race links Alcoutim to Vila do Bispo, also covering the municipalities of Castro Marim, Tavira, São Brás de Alportel, Loulé, Silves, Monchique and Lagos, crossing the mountains of Caldeirão, Espinhaço de Cão and Monchique.
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