Become in 2 years the must-see Iberian autumn, the Prades Mountains Epic Trail Costa Daurada closes a 2nd edition raffled by its fans but also reveals young talents. After their 2024 podiums, Gemma Arenas and Julen Calvó dominate the 90K, Oihana Kortazar dominates the 50K, Miguel Heras or Raoul Butaci perform…A brilliant autumn. Rain, adaptation, level, enjoyment: complete success.
From 6.00AM, they set off from Prades to tackle trails made technical by the recent rains. The route, slightly modified for safety, was 87 km long and culminated at Tossal de Baltasana, 1200 m above sea level. The male favorites such as Miguel Heras, Raul Butaci, Julen Calvó and the Finn Tuomas Kari quickly took the lead, as did the (very) anticipated Gemma Arenas…who will never let go of the lead.
Never worried, Arenas s’impose en 11H23′ ahead of Eli Ríos who fiercely defended his position to finish in 11H58′, followed by the Italian Raffaella Canino in 12H56′, Anna Simón (12H59′) and Piedad Quesada (13H20′).
On the men’s side, after several abandonments and a fierce fight, Julen Calvo will have been able to widen the gap to win in 8h40′. Who follows him? nothing less than Raul Butaci (8H48′) and Miguel Heras – yes, Miguel Heras whom the years seem to avoid (8h53′) – thus completing a successful podium. Tuomas Kari finished 4th in 9H08′ and Albert García took 5th place in 9H12’…while one image will remain in our memory: a battle of leaders and endless restarts on the crests of the Muntanyes de Prades.
Et Calvo to confirm that coming back is good:
“Knowing the terrain helped me, especially on the climbs. It’s a race that I recommend, well organized and in a magnificent setting.”
In women, Arenas will have led from start to finish, even improving on his previous performance.
“I enjoyed this edition much more thanks to the mild weather. The autumn landscapes are sublime…even if the last kilometers were trying”.
Eli Ríos (11H58′) and Raffaella Canino (12H56′) complete the women’s podium.
CINGLERES DE LA FEBRÒ 50K : ANDREU SIMON AND OIHANA KORTAZAR, FORCÉMENT
50K/2000+: Nice menu for the CDF50 which also offered a great show. Andreu Simón, for his first participation in Prades, took the advantage in the last kilometers to win in 3H28‘.
“Nice surprise to discover this route. Maybe I will come back for a relaxing outing, I saw quite a few mushrooms!” he joked.
Genís Porqueras and Iván Calvo will cross the line hand in hand in 3H30’50”, respectively 2nd and 3rd ahead of Aleix Toda and Rodrigo Monasor.
Once Oihana, always Oihana and every year…and the story has lasted for over a decade! Cortazar confirmed her favorite status by finishing in 4H05′, far ahead of Beatriz Parrón 2nd in 4H27’20”, while Ana Murillo completes the podium in 4H30’32”. Paula López took 4th place in 4H54’33” and the Swiss Jenni Jalonen finished 5th in 5H14’05”.
25K/1150+: DID YOU KNOW RYUNOSUKE OMI AND NÚRIA LLANSÓ?
L’Ermita de l’Abellera (EDA): nice name for an explosive 25km. Ryunosuke Omi, recently settled in Spain for his passion for trail running, will have amazed everyone to deliver… 1H44’37” of perfect music. Behind him, Miquel Corbera (1H47’19”), winner of the last edition, overcomes the fatigue accumulated this season and struggles to take 2nd place ahead of Asturian Andrés García (1H48’31”) , Álvaro Osanz (1H48’31”) and Rodrigo Vicente in 1H56’34”.
19 ans. You had to be 19 years old to beat all the female predictions, and it’s the young Núria Llansó which imposes itself during the rapid climbs of this track, revealing itself as a rising star. Natalia González (2H08’00”) 2eimproves his 2023 time, while Eli Gordón (2H15’45”), Ruth Aldea (2H27’07”) and Margarita Mateu (2H32’35”) complete the box.
TOSSAL DE LA BALTASSANA (TDB) 12K/630+ : Oriol Gibert and Denisa Oprinca won in 1H05’21” and 1H30’34” respectively, and the women’s competition was very close with only 17 seconds separating the first two; Oprinca ahead of Ariadna Mariné.
HEADING FOR THE 2025 EDITION
With 25,000 euros in bonuses and a real enthusiasm from the trailers and a population 300% devoted to the event, Lluis Yebra, president of the Club Trail.cat.ce, can only be delighted and think about 2025, in the form of continuing education. From the art of experience?
“The weather conditions forced us to adapt certain routes, and this allowed us to discover interesting new options for the future. In addition, the number of registrations has increased compared to last year, the feedback is euphoric, and we are already working on the third edition. One goal, always the same: to promote the mountains of Prades and the Costa Daurada, while offering quality events to athletes. See you on November 8 and 9, 2025 for a new…epic adventure.”
Registrations will open in December 2024. Let it be said!
