Albufeira is getting ready to receive, on the 26th of February, the 46th edition of the International Cross of Almond Blossoms.
The mythical test of the golden sneakers is back at Pista das Açoteias and, according to the Associação de Atletismo do Algarve, «takes another step forward in its international relevance, by being included, after application, by World Athletics in the Cross-Country Tour 2023, in the Gold Level category, as happened last year».
José Carlos Rolo, mayor of Albufeira, refers that «it is always an honor to welcome the best athletes in the world to the Pista de Crosse das Açoteias» and underlines: «our experience over the several years in which we hosted the competition confirms that we have all the conditions to organize major events at an international level».
Cristiano Cabrita, vice-president and responsible for sports and youth, reinforces the words of the president, stating that «Albufeira is on the right path to be the European City of Sport in 2026».
This is one of the oldest and most important cross country competitions in the world. The first edition of the event took place in 1977, through a partnership between the Algarve Athletics Association, Albufeira City Council and the Algarve Tourism Board, with the aim of promoting sport and tourism in the region.
Since then, many nationally and internationally renowned athletes have come to the capital of national tourism every year in February to compete for the best places in the competition.
The first winners of the Cross Internacional das Amendoeiras were the Portuguese Carlos Lopes (1977) and Rosa Mota (1978, the first year in which the women's competition was held), with Portuguese victories also being registered in 1980/81 and 83, by Fernando Mamede , 1985/86, by António Leitão, 1988/89, by José Regalo, and 1995, by Paulo Guerra.
On the female side, Rosa Mota again crossed the finish line in first place in 1985; in 1989 she celebrated Albertina Dias' victory; in 2003, Fernanda Ribeiro, and, in 2010, Dulce Félix.
The 46th edition of the International Cross of Almond Trees in Blossom is also part of the Regional Cross Country Tournament/Championship and the 20th Young Cross Country of Areias de S. João.
The event is jointly organized by the Athletics Association of the Algarve and the Municipality of Albufeira and has the support of the Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth and the Algarve Tourism Board.
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