Next Saturday, January 14, at 5:00 a.m., the starting gun will mark the second edition of the El Cid-FalcoXtrem ultramarathon. The 70-kilometer course includes a cumulative ascent of 3,400 meters and an 18-hour time limit to complete the route. The event is organized with the involvement of the Sports Council, the testing coordinator, and the Petrer Excursionist Center, led by its president.
After a two-year pause due to the pandemic, the organizers present this major sporting challenge to the local community. The first edition debuted at the end of January 2020. The council gratefully acknowledges the Petrer Excursionist Center for its willingness, effort, and the many permits required to bring the event to life, recognizing that the center is a constant partner in coordinating the test and that volunteers play a crucial role.
Manolo Ricote outlined some technical details of the race, confirming that the route largely follows the 2020 edition with a modification to pass through Chabola del Forestal. Participants can expect a route of approximately 70 kilometers with a positive elevation gain of 3,400 meters, to be completed within 18 hours, a shorter window than the 20 hours allocated in the first edition. The course traverses three municipal districts, primarily through Petrer, Castalla, and Tibi.
There will be seven refreshment points, acting as nerve centers that coordinate the volunteers from the center. The Hotel de Catí will host the main beverage station, providing hot drinks and opportunities for participants to rest and eat solid food.
The event will begin and end at Parque 9 de Octubre, with the start scheduled for 5:00 a.m. on January 14. A sports festival will accompany the competition, and trophies are planned to be awarded around 8:00 p.m. on the same Saturday. This year, the organization mobilizes 142 volunteers to support the event. As a precursor to the race, aprons will be distributed on the 13th, creating a racing atmosphere around the park and its surroundings.
Vicente Verdú, a municipal council member and head of the CEP, urged residents of Petrer to participate and experience the atmosphere at the nerve center located at Octubre Park, encouraging attendance at the start, finish, and throughout the route.
Entries and awards
Current registrations exceed 200 participants. Local runners account for about 18% of entrants, with competitors from across Spain and two European runners among the mix; the majority come from the Alicante province.
Registration remains open until Tuesday, January 10, through the official event website. Regarding prizes, the top male and top female finishers will receive 500 euros in cash along with trophies for other qualifiers.
One notable innovation is the Manu Brotons Award, awarded to the first local athlete to cross the finish line. A new two-pass system has been introduced, allowing two participants to take the exam with a route split: the first leg from Octubre Park to Catí, and the second from Catí back to the park.
The organizers intend to recognize every runner who completes the course with a special gesture.
trial order
Maps and course details can be reviewed in the event map resource maintained by the organizers. This material is provided for planning and safety purposes and to help participants prepare effectively for the challenge.
Citation: information provided by the event organizers and local sports authorities. Further specifics may be found in the official event communications.