ALUT, Portugal’s longest running race, is back in the Algarve in November
The fifth edition of the Algarviana UltraALUT), which is almost sold out, will tour the region from one end to the other, from the 24th to the 27th of November, organized by the Algarve Trail Running.
The event, considered as «unavoidable in the history of national ultra endurance», includes the challenging 300 kilometers that connect the interior of the Algarve, mostly along the Via Algarviana.
This year, the route goes in the opposite direction of the first editions, therefore, from Cabo de São Vicente to Alcoutim. “Athletes ask for it and, as this is a race for athletes for athletes, the ALUT organization decided to run the course for two years for each side. Thus, it is possible to diversify the challenge and we have two records to beat”, explains the organization.
This year, the champion, João Oliveira, is back in the match, after his absence last year, but he won’t go without competition. Frenchman Stevan Pavlovic promises to face him, as he did in the second edition.
Of note is the debut of the experienced Armando Teixeira in this challenge, which is tested at distance. And the best thing is not to underestimate the French Claire Bannwarth, who, in Portugal, was already the winner of the PT281 overall.
“It should be noted that in the first edition, ALUT had only one woman to participate. In 2021, 12 were identified and now 9, more and more the adventurers of the 300 km”, recalled the organization.
For now, three teams of four are also registered, who will experience a different way of experiencing ALUT. If doing the solo route is a giant challenge, doing it in equipping the challenge of synchronization plus the logistics and different from the logistics between the elements.
“There must always be an athlete in the competition and exchanges can only be carried out in the places located for this purpose. Therefore, our real-time monitoring system assumes a leading role here”, perhaps an organization.
It is this system of monitoring the athletes live that allows the organization to maintain security, since the event is not scheduled; and to those who are attending the event to know the second where the participants are. So it’s easier when and where local athletes are passing.
“In a competition of this dimension, support for participants is essential, so that they remain motivating. Despite everyone in the organization and the volunteers, having someone to assist and encourage is an asset. Therefore, the ALUT organization invites everyone who can come and spend the weekend in the Algarve and in order for these brave people”.
The task of monitoring together, defined and animated is facilitated by the organization, which in addition to the monitoring system in passage of the times and estimated UT.
“In this way, those accompanying the athletes, but also those who come just to watch the event, can carry out their own program around the Algarve and always be in the right place at the right time”, concludes the organization.
The management of Via Algarviana, whose maintenance and maintenance is the responsibility of Associação Almargem, is a Great Pedestrian Route (GR13) that connects Alcoutim to Cabo de São Vicente.
The approximately 300 kilometers of the GR13 route, mostly located in the Serra Algarvia, cross nine municipalities in the Algarve: Alcoutim, Castro Marim, Tavira, São Brás de Alportel, Loulé, Silves, Monchique, Lagos and Vila do Bispo.
With the objective of promoting low-density territories and expanding the region’s tourist offer, a Via Algarviana It is close to places of natural and cultural interest, as well as accommodation and catering services, boosting the local economy of the Algarve interior. It is possible to contribute to the maintenance of Via Algarviana by donating to its management entity. learn more about this and other information about the Via Algarviana click here.