Three Benissa runners to compete in ultimate challenge

Three elite athletes belonging to the running team of the Club of Muntanya Margalló in Benissa are to face a demanding test this August, when they compete in one of Europe’s most prestigious and physically challenging trials. Jaki Martínez, Kiko Molines and Carlos Pineda will participate in the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (also called the UTMB). It takes place once a year in the Alps, and crosses France, Italy and Switzerland. With a distance of about 171 kilometres and a gradient of about 10,300 metres, it is considered the hardest trail running race in the world. It is one of the most popular races, with around 2,500 runners, and this year has attracted the highest number of competitors ever recorded.

An example of the difficulty of the test they are facing would be to point out that, while the best runners complete the route in little more than 20 hours, most runners take between 30 and 46 hours. The test has departure and arrival point in Chamonix, France, which lies at the foot of Mont Blanc.

To participate in the UTMB, competitors have to meet a series of requirements to enter. This is achieved by gaining points in various official races. Each entrant requires 15 points in a period not exceeding 2 years, and to gain an idea of this, the next 73-kilometre race around the Sierra Bernia would result in four points being gained.