The largest trail-running competition in the Algarve, at Rocha da Pena near Salir, starts on August 13th with fearless participants competing in three gruelling races of different lengths.
This fourth competition over the hills of the Algarve’s interior indicates an increasing appeal of this sport where runners speed along countryside trails, whatever the temperature.
Runners have signed up for one of three trails of 16, 24 and an astoundingly ambitious 48 kilometres, with the organisers confirming that over 600 runners of eight nationalities are enrolled.
This also is a popular sport for people to watch and the start and finish points in Salir will be busy, as will various viewing points along the trails.
Thankfully, the running starts early with the first flight at 07:00 for the 48 kilometre run, 08:00 for the 24 kilometre one and 08:30 for the not inconsiderable 16 kilometres race.
For those that manage to complete the course, the first runners in the 24 and 16 kilometre race are scheduled to arrive back in Salir at around 10:00 and the arrival of the first athletes in the 48 kilometre race is scheduled for 11.30 - with medical teams standing by.
The UTRP 2017 trail race is sponsored by Visacar and Fnac among others and there is also a kids’ space where children can entertain themselves while parents enjoy watching the runners.
The Ultra Trail Rocha da Pena is organised by ATR, the Algarve Trail Running Association in collaboration with the Associação Cultural de Salir and its Motorcycle Section.
The event has the support of the Câmara de Loulé, the Parish Council of Salir, the Union of Parishes of Querença, Tôr and Benafim and several local and national companies.
The map with the location of the show areas and other points of interest is available at: http://utrp.pt/saiba-tudo-sobre-o-trail-mais-quente-do-ano-no-algarve/#mapa
