If you’re seeking an alternative to the hype of UTMB, the Andorra Ultra Trail Vallnord (AUTV) could be just what you’re looking for. It’s one of the toughest and most spectacular trail running races in Europe. This year will be the event’s 10th anniversary celebration, so what better time to visit one of the best alpine environments in one of the smallest countries in the world. Perhaps the most known race to Australians is the Ronda dels Cims, where I know a few Aussies have had a crack at tis epic before.
Over the last ten years, 13,000 runners from 65 different countries have visited the sixth-smallest nation in Europe with the aim of finishing one of the Andorra Ultra Trail Vallnord races. Offering races which are both tough and beautiful, the event has grown consistently since its conception and is now one of the main trail running events in Europe. Andorra is a majestic moutainous land and this trail running event is not to be missed.
Gerard Martínez and Valérie Lafleu have been the organizers of AUTV since the very beginning. In 2008, they created Cims Màgics because they wanted to share the magnificent mountains in Andorra with other runners and thought what better way to do it than with a race?
Last year was a record turnout. More than 3,200 runners from 50 different countries competed in one of the five offered races: from the 233km Euforia to the 42km marathon. The runners also had the chance to participate in a non-competitive race called Solidaritral.
List of the races:
- Eufòria – 233km 20,000 m D+
- Ronda dels Cims – 170km 13,500 m D+
- Ultra Mític – 112km 9,700 m D+
- Celestrail – 83km 5,000 m D+
- Marató – 42km 3,000 D+
2009 – Kilian won the first edition
Kilian Jornet and Judit Casas were the winners of the first edition. In 2009 there were two races (105km with 7.700m D+ and 35km), the longest of which had to be cancelled, with 500 runners on the starting line, due to a severe thunderstorm.
As a writer from Corredor de Montaña’s team, Pol writes on the Spanish mountain running scene, but knows life down under well having lived in Queenstown during the 2015. He's the Ultra Easy, the Routeburn and the Shotover Marathon in Queenstown.
