February 05

100 MILES WHERE THE BEAR WALK: ASTURIAS 17-19 SEPTEMBER 2021.

Posted by Héctor Rubio on February 5, 2021 in trail running spain | Leave a comment

100 MILES WHERE THE BEAR WALK: CANGAS DE NARCEA, ASTURIAS. Registrations opened. Today, a new Asturian event stars in our MONTAÑA RACES CALENDAR 2021.

Next 17th September we will travel to Asturias to premiere the inaugural edition of a race that is betting big, by achieving more than 2,000 numbers. Registration is now open for its five mountain races: An appointment that for many will allow them to discover the Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Natural Park. with the crossing of the GR203 trail as its axis.

100 MILES WHERE THE BEAR WALK
ASTURIAS, CANGAS DEL NARCEA.
REGISTRATIONS OPENED

THE GR 203 TRAIL, WHERE THE BEARS WALK.

The Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Natural Park will host the first 100-mile race in Asturias from 17-19 September. The event is organized by the CANGAS SPORT mountain club, which has named it The 100 miles NMR where the bear walks. ‘ The event debuts in a big way, betting on carrying out no less than five hitting distances, ranging from 10 to 176 kilometers.

The organizers have detailed what will pass through the GR203 with the support of the councils through which it passes. In fact, the key objective is to consolidate this great route into an attractive tourist level throughout the year within the Cantabrian Mountains and the Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias region. So let’s get to know something more about the path where the race passes. A hiking trail designed to go through 11 stages, whose map within Asturias can be seen below.

According to the Asturian federation FEMPA itself, the GR 203 “Where the bear walks” runs through one of the best preserved and most extraordinary natural areas in western Asturias. The tour invites us to enter its amazing towns, unique forests and impossible places scattered throughout the protected area of the Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias Natural Park. Its territory includes the Muniellos and Cueto de Arbás Nature Reserves, taking its limits to the Somiedo Natural Park.

The park includes the Narcea river, from its source, the Muniellos river and the upper head of the Ibias river, which although it is born in Degañesa lands, runs through a large part of Ibiense territory, being a tributary of the Navia. Its sparse population and its abrupt relief preserve large indigenous forest masses in a magnificent state.

But it is undoubtedly the beech forests in Monte de Hermo (upper basin of the Narcea) and the oak groves in Muniellos, which stand out both for their degree of extension and for their excellent state of conservation. It should not be forgotten that the most exceptional fauna of the Cantabrian Mountains can be found in this territory. It will not be easy to see her face to face, but we will surely see her footprints, especially those of the Bear.

WHERE THE BEAR WALK, THE RACES.

The first edition of the “100 NMR miles where the bear walks” opened yesterday 3FEB registrations. The event arises as an initiative of three councils that share one of the greatest landscape jewels of Asturias: the Fuentes del Narcea, Degaña and Ibias region. Thus, in this idyllic setting, a competition with many incentives to offer will premiere on the weekend of September 17, 18 and 19, 2021.

The GR-203 path, common paths on which the brown bear travels, will serve as the central axis for the five routes that make up the program. We are talking about an authentic natural paradise, full of surprising forests, rural landscapes, beech and oak groves of intense colors and unique aromas. For its premiere on the sports agenda, the organization has made a total of 2,000 numbers available to those interested with a maximum capacity of 400 runners per modality

Although sport and contact with nature are the great claims of the “100 NMR miles where the bear walks”, the Asturian event aims to captivate its visitors beyond its beautiful mountainous landscapes. For this reason, throughout the week parallel activities will be organized both for children (children’s races, etc.) and for runners and companions: guided tours, lectures, craft fairs, tasting of local products, etc.

REGISTRATIONS 100 MILES WHERE THE BEAR WALK.

The first section for the acquisition of the number will last until March 1 and will have prices of € 144, € 104, € 62, € 40 and € 12 depending on the chosen modality, which you can review below. They can now be booked through the official website of the event: http://www.pordondecaminaeloso.com

▪ 170 kilometers (10.060 d+; 10.060 d-).
▪ 116 kilometers (6.850 d+; 6.780 d-).
▪ 68 kilometers (3.737 d+; 4.208 d-).
▪ 42 kilometers (2.016 d+; 3.149 d-).
▪ 14 kilometers (220 d+; 1.179 d-).

Throughout the routes, various refreshment points will be established, as well as three bases of life with infirmary, beds, showers, hot food and other necessary goods for the runner. Giant screens will also be installed in the main towns involved for live monitoring of the race and entertainment points in the towns that host departures.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SANITARY PROTOCOL.

Led by Daniel Cuervo and the Cangasport Basic Club, the Organization has shown its commitment to the environment from day one, writing a Guide to Good Environmental Practices that will be delivered to participants, companions and technical staff. Thus, the route marking will be made with recyclable products and collection points for different materials and waste will be set up.

Similarly, a rigorous security protocol adapted to the health framework demanded by the situation in the Principality of Asturias will be studied. If the event had to be suspended due to COVID-19, a full refund of the registration fee would be made with the exception of the bib management expenses.