The Vertical Kilometer of Puig Campana Returns

It is both one of the most beautiful and toughest races in the Valencian Community, and for this reason, the Vertical Kilometer of Puig Campana, now in its 16th edition, will also serve as the Regional Championship of the discipline on March 16th. On that day, participants will face this well-established time trial, starting from the Font del Molí in Finestrat and reaching the summit of Puig Campana, overcoming a 1,040-meter elevation gain in just 3,600 meters of course.

When things work, there is no need for major 'inventions', and therefore, the Finestrat event will not present significant changes in its development compared to previous years. As explained by the event's organizer, Romualdo Doménech, participants will start from the center of Finestrat's historic center and proceed "in a neutralized manner to the Font del Molí," where the time control for the start will be located.

From there, they will all tackle "the most vertical kilometer in the province" to reach "the finish line, which will be at the summit of Puig Campana." Once there, and again in a neutralized manner, "the descent will be made via the botanical trail of the Umbría del Puig Campana to the Coll de Pouet, along the Camí de la Serra trail to the Font del Molí. And from there, return to the Plaça where they started."

In total, "it will be 13.7 kilometers of course" for the Absolute, Junior, Youth, and Cadet categories.

The Vertical Kilometer of Puig Campana is also the Regional Championship, which will bring together the best athletes in the specialty, including confirmed participants Ángel López Amor, Laurence Rastell, Pau Moreno Badenes, Aritz Unamuno, Carlos García Hurtado, Hannan et Taba, local runner Vicente Llorca Climent "Tato", and the visually impaired runner who is a regular at this event, Lidia Aguilar.

"So far, there are more than a hundred registered participants from all over Spain," noted Doménech, who reminded that registrations remain open until "the next day 16."