By Elsa Trujillo
Set at the beginning of the European summer mountain running season, the Andorra Ultra Trail – Vallnord mountain running festival took place last weekend in this small country in the heart of the Pyrenees. The five-day running festival features four ultra race distances and one mountain marathon. 2017 was the inaugural run of their longest event: Eufòria.
Eufòria – 233km and 20,000m of positive elevation
Eufória is a 233km unmarked circular trip of the Andorran peaks where runners must navigate using only GPS. A semi-autonomous race for teams of two runners, this first edition was won by Frenchman, Nahuel Passerat and Spaniard, Julián Morcillo. It took them 68 hours and 49 minutes to traverse 38 peaks and passes at an average altitude of 2,000m and they crossed the finish line at Ordino almost 4 hours ahead of the second team.
Ronda dels Cims – 170km and 13,500m of positive elevation
Participants of the Ronda dels Cims visit 16 peaks that are above 2,400 metres. Frenchman, Antonie Guillon won the 170km category in 31h 5m 25s. Second and third places were taken by Spaniard, Pep Ballester (33:49:16) and Frenchman, Yannick Gourdon (34:21:51). 2016 winner, Italian, Liza Borzani was the first woman to cross the finish line in 38:14:39 followed by Japanese, Kaori Niwa (40:42:28) and Italian, Marina Plavan (42:16:59).
Mític – 112km and 9,700m of positive elevation
Home runner Andorran, Aida Fornieles (23:02:26) and Spaniard, Sebas Sánchez (18:49:29) were the winners of this year’s wet and windy Mític category. Second and third after the male winner were two more Spaniards, Vicente Parra (19:39:22) and Sergio Luis Tejero (19:39:22). The female podium was completed with local runner Sabrina Solana (26:55:11) and Slovenian, Zhanna Andreeva (27:34:20).
Celestrail – 83km and 5000m of positive elevation
The Celestrail, which starts at midnight, is the shortest of the Andorra Ultra Trail races. Still a beast at 83km, this year’s event was won by Portuguese Armando Texeira in 10h 55m and 35s followed closely by Spaniard, David Arredondo (11:04:49) and Finnish runner, Mikka-Pekka Rautiainen (11:35:29). The women’s race was won by Spaniard, Marta Escudero (13:29:01), followed by UK runner, Mary Gillie (14:00:55) and Frenchwoman, Severine Duhalde (14:27:35).
