Interesting endurance events in the Spanish Pyrenees

[Brian J]

Last month I spent a few weeks walking the western part of the GR11 in the Spanish Pyrenees. I heard that mountain running is becoming much more popular there, and here are a couple of events some of our long distance specialists might be attracted to. They are in the Aigüestortes National Park in the NW corner of Catalonia. This is beautiful rugged terrain covered by a network of good refugios.

Carros de Foc Round (Chariots of Fire in Catalan) – this is the equivalent of the Bob Graham Round:
55 km (9,200m climb) at an average altitude of 2400m. It links 9 of the refugios and there is an extended version that includes a 10th that adds 18 km (1,200m). Much of it much rougher under foot thant the BG but I think it will be all valleys and cols – no ridges or summits
Here are a couple of websites-
http://ca.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carros_de_foc_(travessa)
http://www.carrosdefoc.com/en/itinerari/ Map on main website.
There are two ways of doing the Carros de Foc –
Open mode - You can start at any refugio, clockwise or anti-clockwise at any time or speed. It is usually 4 to 6 days walking but BG style seems be to do it in under 24 hours. You can get your card stamped at each refugio (I suspect the warden might not like being asked for this service in the middle of the night). Like the BG someone has done a double round – and in under 24 hours.
or Sky Runner – This is an organised event on a set weekend (end of August this year) and monitored and timed at the refugios manned by marshals You can start in any direction and from any refugio. The aim is to complete in under 24 hours. The record is 9h 27min. There is also the Chariots of Fire Sky Runner Plus which takes in the 10th refugio for those deemed fast enough.
Website http://www.carrosdefoc.com/en/modalitats/sky-runner/

The BUFF Epic Trail Aigüestortes:
This year there was a race in the same area at the beginning of August. I think for this was the first time. A 100km race with 8,000 m climb, Winning time 12-19.
Perhaps next year there will be another one, here or elsewhere in the Spanish Pyrenees.
Website - http://www.buffepictrail.com/en/gallery
There are vimeos on youtube and I saw a TV programme about it when I was in Spain.

I hope to be back next year to continue the GR11 project. Whilst you won’t catch me on any of these head banging events, they look perfect for those of you who are used to tackling the UTM, Sierre-Zinal, Eiger ultra etc…...