After two editions of hiatus due to the pandemic, the Volta a Peu del Poble Nou de Benitatxell returns this Saturday in style. The proof was presented this Tuesday by the mayor, Miguel Ángel García, the president of the Benitatxell Multiesport Club, Juan Zaragozí, and the municipal Sports coordinator, Celso Alcázar, after a coordination meeting where the heads of the Local Police and Civil Protection were also present.
This year has a special connotation, since the race is dedicated to José Antonio Ivars, the young poblero who died in April 2020 due to COVID-19. José Antonio was part of the Benitatxell Multiesport Club since its foundation. For this reason, the club has wanted to honor his memory before the hundreds of runners who will participate in the Volta de Benitatxell.
For this fifth edition of the test in the municipality a great event has been prepared. "This year we have thrown the house out the window and there will be many surprises", Juan Zaragozí has advanced. Among them, musical accompaniment to encourage the runners on the toughest slopes, masseuse service after finishing the race and much more.
This test of the Circuit a peu Marina Alta has earned the name "El Tourmalet" from the Marina as it is the most demanding of all due to the unevenness it presents. “For the runners it is a challenge to face this leg-breaking test. Other towns design flat and fast courses to break participation records. Our test is different and has great appeal", highlighted the president of the Multiesport Club.
It passes through a rural landscape of great beauty, next to the wells of l'Abiar, riuraus, fields of vineyards and the narrow and beautiful streets of the urban nucleus. However, this year it has been decided to slightly modify the route and reduce it to 8,1 km in distance and a positive drop of 170 m.
Between the children's races and the queen event, some 1.200 athletes with their families are expected to come to the municipality to experience this festival of athletics. The children's races will begin at 16:00 p.m. on Avinguda de València, and at 18:30 p.m. the adult race will start.
This year, the athletes of the Benitatxell Multiesport Club will have a special role, as they have scandalous figures in the Circuit's club classification. After the tests of Xàbia, Calp and Gata de Gorgos, have positioned themselves in second place in the ranking of a total of 103 clubs, only a few points below Club Dénia Runs. Special mention should also be made of the local club's women's team, positioned in fifth place in the ranking. The warmth and support of playing at home will be key.
The shower service will be at the La Font municipal football field. Registration is still open at www.somesport.com.
