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Gran Trail Peñalara 2012: Three races of 60k/80k/110k. See final video and photo gallery.
The Gran Trail Peñalara ultra trail was launched back in 2010 claiming it to be aimed at commemorating the 100 year anniversary of RSEA Peñalara which will come up next year in 2013. The main race course is based upon a 110km complete circumvalation of the highest peaks of the Guadarrama National Park, with Peñalara peak at 2.430 meters as course summit. There are also two smaller races held, with 60km and 80km courses.
GRAN TRAIL PEÑALARA 2012: RACE INTRODUCTION
This ultra trail of the Guadarrama National Park passes through different towns and mountain villages following old time trails that were used by cattle, hunters and nowadays, by hikers, and nowadays structured as an official mountain trekking route as the GR10 trail.
The race is circular and is ran in self-sufficiency mode, requiring the participants to carry a minimum amount of mandatory equipment which guarantees their safety during the 110 kilometers of the race. Maximum time allowed to complete the race is 30 hours. In 2011, the event known as Trail Peñalara 80K (TP80K) was founded, and follows the same race course, with the finish line in La Granja , with a maximum of 21 hours to complete the race.
The event is designed for anyone who is in physical shape and is familiar with mountain surroundings, allowing for participants of different levels to complete the race. (Some will employ 12-14 hours running, and others combine running and hiking to complete the event in the maximum time limits.) The event is a place for people from all over Spain and abroad to experience the true beauty of the mountains of Madrid and at the same time take special care and respect for the protected environment and its immense natural and cultural value.
Along the course, each participant will test his or her athletic ability within the mountain environment with altitudes above 2000 meters and different terrain. It is and ideal place to experience the spirit of the mountain and see how you measure up in clean competition.
GRAN TRAIL PEÑALARA 2012: OFFICIAL RACE VIDEO
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GRAN TRAIL PEÑALARA 2012: OFFICIAL RACE RESULTS 60K 80K 110K
Results Gran Trail Peñalara 2012 110k Overall individual and team rankings
Results Gran trail Peñalara 110k 2012 Overall with splits 23jun12
Results Gran trail Peñalara 80k 2012 Overall with splits 23jun12
Results Gran trail Peñalara 60k 2012 Overall with splits 23jun12
GRAN TRAIL PEÑALARA 2012: RACE COURSE DETAIL.
The race course begins in the town of Navacerrada, and heads through the valley of La Barranca rising up to the summit of La Maliciosa (2.221m) and heading down through the sierra of Porrones to Cantocochino, which lies within the Pedriza regional park. The course continues through La Pedriza following parts of the GR10, passing by the Lodge “Giner de los Ríos” and heading towards the Dehesilla Pass, Hoya de San Blas and the lower pine and oak groves of the old pathway from Madrid to el Paular reaching La Morcuera Pass. From here, after a long descent, the course arrives at the Paular Monastery in the heart of the Lozoya valley, crossing the river over the historical bridge, Puente del Perdón and arriving in the town of Rascafría .
From Rascafría and the Lozoya valley, the Gran Trail follows the top of the Montes Carpetanos, up to the Reventón Pass. From here it continues along the top between Segovia and Madrid where it reaches the highest point of the Madrid sierra at the summit of Peñalara. From Peñalara, the race drops down the Segovian side, with its majestic pine trees arriving in La Granja de San Ildefonso, where the finish line for those participating in the Trail Peñalara 80K will be.
From La Granja and following the road of the Pesquerías Reales, constructed during the reign of Charles III, parallel to the Eresma river, the GranTrail enters the pine forest of Valsaín and picks up the GR10 again, which ascends along the historical pathway between two plateaus reaching the Fuenfría Pass.
The Gran Trail leaves the Fuenfría and within the pine forest of Valsaín, climbs to the Navacerrada Pass (km 100). The last 10 km crosses the side of Las Guarramillas to the hill of Emburriadero and descends down the valley of La Barranca in order to reach the finish line in the town of Navacerrada.
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GRAN TRAIL PEÑALARA 2012: PHOTO GALLERY
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See more about trail races and runners this 2012 in Spain here
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Info by Mayayo Oxígeno for Trailrunningspain
