The two-year hiatus due to the pandemic and the presence of people from different provinces widens the range of candidates in a very open test
Its suspension two years ago, just five days before the state of alarm was decreed and a pandemic nightmare began that we are still coming out of, it was a blow to all those popular runners who for months had prepared with care the most special test of all those that are celebrated every year in the Region of Murcia. It was March 9, 2020 and the Route of the Fortresses was scheduled for the 28th of that month. It was postponed to October, but never took place. The 2021 was not held either. Today, after many months of waiting, the race organized by the Marine Infantry School returns, which has become a national benchmark with its 50-kilometer route that crosses the mountains and castles that surround Cartagena . Everything is epic in this test, for the one who wins and for the one who arrives last. Crossing the finish line is already synonymous with success.
The event, which reaches its eleventh edition today and brings athletes from many corners of the country to the port city, had already had problems years ago due to different complaints from environmental groups, who complained about the damage caused by the participants in their path. through the Roldán, a mountain that finally disappeared from the route. In 2020 and 2021 it was the coronavirus that crossed in a test that requires months of preparation for the one who is going to complete it. Without going any further, these past weekends the climbs to San Julián, Calvario, Atalaya and Galeras have been full of people who were finalizing their set-up for the Route. And so, this edition today becomes the one of complete happiness. The faces of enthusiasm and joy were the predominant note on the day this Friday, when long queues formed at the Port of Cartagena, the place chosen for the delivery of numbers.
4,751 participants
The test starts at 08:05 am from the Pier. The organization has registered 4,751 participants and almost 5,000 others interested in and recommendations, obligations and situations that may lead to disqualification from the race can be consulted on the official website. The use of the mask will be mandatory at the time of departure, which will be staggered in several boxes. Also at the moment of crossing the finish line, when the runners approach the refreshment and physiotherapy points.
The finish line will be located at the General Albacete y Fuster Marine Infantry School (EIMGAF), located on the climb to Tentegorra. The health situation is finally going to allow access for fans and family members, something that was not clear until a couple of weeks ago. The organization expects that around 10,000 people will pass through today. Nearly 1,000, between civilians and soldiers, will ensure the correct development of the race during its 50-kilometer route.
This afternoon the children’s races were held, with a great atmosphere in the area of the Port and the Plaza del Ayuntamiento. It was the first dish of a long-awaited weekend for runners, hoteliers and merchants, in which Cartagena is going to become for the eleventh consecutive year the great capital of the national ultrafund. For everyone, after two years of blackout, this appointment is very special.
kilometer 38
The bib collection for all categories continues today, from 06:45 to 07:30. The pick-up point is at the cruise terminal in the Port. The general test starts at 08.05. Anyone who has not reached kilometer 38, which is the parking lot of the Navantia shipyard, will be disqualified. This year the descent from Mount Calvario and the respective ascent to San Julián have been eliminated, this time using the ridge that joins them, without going down to the Santa Lucía area.
Due to the participant screening system (almost 5,000 have been left without a number in the absolute test), there are many popular runners who will not be able to start. The fastest, the latest winners and those with the best resume are entered. What happens is that the two years without a race make this edition the most open and unpredictable in history. Nobody is very clear about how many favorites there are and what their names are. Be that as it may, the challenge shared by all is to be able to climb five hills and cross eight fortresses in the same day, faster or slower. But be able to get it. Cartagena awaits its heroes. Its mountains and trails, clean as ever, will dictate sentence this Saturday.
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