The Kangas Mountain pulverizes record. Looking ahead to the eighth edition, to be held on March 5, the maximum quota of established bibs has been exhausted, that is, 1,500. Everything indicates that around 4,000 people – between participants and companions – will come to the old capital of the Kingdom of Asturias that weekend to enjoy one of the most prestigious events on the national mountain racing scene. In fact, 64 percent of registered athletes come from outside the Principality of Asturias and, in addition, there will be international representation (Portugal, France, Belgium, Mexico and Switzerland)
The test runs through the councils of Cangas de Onís and Parres, passing through Picu’l Arbolín, Picu La Cerica, Picu La Cogolla, Collau’l Andrin, Següencu and arriving in the city of Cangas de Cangas de Onís. Organized by the Komty Sport Sports Club, in collaboration with the Municipal Sports Board of Cangas de Onís, it consists of three routes: Original Trail, 33 kilometers in high mountains and with a cumulative drop of more than 3,750 meters; Speed Trail, 12 kilometers long and with a cumulative drop of 1,200 meters; and Maxi Trail, this 58-kilometre route and with a cumulative drop of 7,600 meters.
“Once the participation objective has been reached, the test, which benefits the entire tourism and business fabric by deseasonalizing tourism, focuses on seeking the support of local and regional companies and institutions to continue growing in each edition”, point out the organizers, who on this occasion have a hundred volunteers lending their support to the canguesa race. Another fact to take into account, in terms of tourism promotion in the region and in low season, is that 250 double rooms in hotel establishments have been reserved directly by participants through the organization of the event.
In the last edition, held on February 29, 2020, the winner of the 33-kilometre Original Trail was Juanjo Somohano Peramato, from the HG AML Team and also a member of the Club Oriente Atletismo (COA) who invested 2.39.28. Second in the general classification was the Basque Julen Ozaeta Petralanda, who completed the tough and spectacular track in 2:43.44, and Iñigo Arantzamendi Alkorta, from Sestao, qualified in third place with 2:49.24.
For her part, in women, the winner was María Ferreiro Pérez, from Vigo and Galician mountain race champion, who set a time of 3:40:20. The second place went to the Basque Maialen Gurrutxaga Pérez (3.42.12) and the third step of the podium smiled at Ana Belén Nogueiro Nogueiro, from Gijón, from the Altitude Cycling Club (3.47.15).
In the Maxi Trail format, of 55 kilometers, the Basque Julen Martinez de Estíbariz broke the record (6.25.59) that David Díaz López had since the last edition, currently leaving it at 5.57.56. Extremadurans Jesús Manuel Bermejo Bermejo and Francisco Javier González Jiménez, both from the Tornavacas Mountain and Hiking Group, were second and third, respectively, with 6.07.07 and 6.07.13.
Mara Escudero Martínez (Team Land) from Rio de Janeiro also shattered Aitziber Osinalde’s record (7.55.12) by stopping the clock at 7.39.41; Langrean Raquel Ronco Castañón was second (7.43.17) and Basque Ainara Olabarrieta third (8.35.34).
In the Speed Trail, which is 12 kilometers long, Eduardo Llano Rumayor, from Encargamos and Club Oriente Atletismo, won with a time of 59 minutes and 53 seconds. Julián García Morodo from Cantabria (01.01.19) and Iván Román Hierro from Palencia (01.01.42) listed him on the podium.
Meanwhile, in girls, Cristina Ruiz Lorca (GM Reinoastur-Universidad de Oviedo) was the winner, with 1.11.47, followed by María Reyes Laso Abascal (Piélagos) and Aroa Calvo Gómez (Wolves Run Project).
