The ninth edition of the Gran Trail Picos de Europa, held this last Saturday in June, with fog and orbayu, in the early hours of the morning, as well as muddy areas along the route, put the town of Benia back on the map of Onís and, therefore, a good part of the Eastern region of the Principality. One and a half thousand runners, representing thirty nations, enjoyed a race that has earned a notable reputation in the sporting calendar of the autonomous community on its own merits.
In this 2024 exercise, the Gran Picos de Europa-2024 presented, under the technical direction of Rubén González Rodrigo and Marta Escudero Martínez, five exciting distances that adapt to different levels of experience and preparation: 70 kilometers, 48 km, 35 km, 22 km and 10 km. In addition, he highlighted the introduction of the new distance of 48 kilometers, which for the first time takes place within the limits of the Picos de Europa national park, becoming a unique and challenging experience for participants.
The start of the first race, in Benia de Onís, was at 6:00 in the morning, for the longest distance, the 70 kilometer ultra, considered the “queen” of the format. Then, starting at 8:30 a.m., it would be the turn for the rest of the distances (48 km, 35 km, 22 km and 10 km), which will have their departures staggered, every half hour, thus guaranteeing adequate management of the distances. runners and, of course, in the framework of an exciting atmosphere – highlighting the tribute in memory of the young Pablo Torroba Vera, who died a few months ago, paid to him by the Onís Mountain Group.
In the long distance, 70 kilometres long, the champion was Pablo Villa González (Adidas Terrex) from León, winner in 2022, who completed the race on this occasion in 9 hours 29 minutes and 33 seconds after the Norwegian Erland Eldrup was disqualified. Antonio Guevara Pérez (MTB & Trail Pulpi) was second, with 9.50.55, and third in Benia de Onís was Ramón Fernández Diego (La Braña-Solorunners), with 9.55.53. Meanwhile, in the women’s category, the winner was María del Carmen Biosca Ballesteros (Todovertical V+), with 12 hours 33 minutes and 19 seconds; Sara Carazo Pérez (Independiente), second, with 12 hours 46′ 41″.
Francisco Díaz Llera (Club Oriente Athletics) won the 10-kilometre race with a time of 54 minutes and 22 seconds. He was followed by Antonio Mendoza Soto (Cangas de Onís Athletics) and David Magadán Fernández (Agrosil), with 55.31 and 55.38, respectively. In the women’s race, Sara Herrero Blanco (COA) won in 1 hour 17 minutes and 14 seconds; Eva Bardales (Cangas de Onís Athletics) came in second with a time of 1.18.20 and Ana García Miguel (Desafío Urbión) came in third with a time of 1.18.19.
On the 22 kilometer road, the first three places were won by Jonatan Arobes Álvarez (KV Torrelavega), with 2.16.26; Pablo Rodríguez Rogina (Desnival), with 2.20.42; and Iñigo Pradera Belar (Gaikar), with 2.23.02. In women, Ruth Aldea Tonzan (Novare Sport) crossed the finish line in first place, with 3.01.00; Mercedes Elisabeth Estigarribia (DLC Trail Team), second, with 3.17.50; and Cristina Llanos Fernández (Capiecha Martin Trail), third, with 3.29.58.
Cristian Gutiérrez Espina (Asturpro Sports Nutrition) from Cabrales repeated his success in the 35 kilometres, with 3:41.17, improving his time from last year (3:45.07). Luis Pérez Holgado (Salmantica Triathlon) came second, with 3:46.49, and Iván Sánchez Barquín, third, with 3:48.23. In the women’s category, the podium was formed by Kerstin Engelmann-Pilger (Independiente), with 4:40.51; Dayana Álvarez Domínguez (AC Castelos Trail), with 4:55.12; and Salomé Gigorro Delgado (Triathlon 28300 Aranjuez), with 4:55.12.
In the new 48 kilometer test, victory for Iván Bernardo Pérez (2007 Trail), with 5.04.42, followed by Xabier Abasolo Tamayo (Aiaramendi), with 5.15.51, and Ander Ibarguren Sasturain (Goierri Garaia), with 5.16.28 . Belén Pérez Ribeiro (Joma) triumphed in girls, with 6.01.38, ahead of Vanessa López Piñeiro (Atletismo Porriño), with 7.26.24, and Dolores Macías Fernández (Independiente), with 7.39.11.
2024-06-30 18:44:45
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