1.
Brief History of RSEA Peñalara
At the beginning of the 20th century, in 1913, the Asociación Peñalara “ The Twelve Friends” was founded and would serve as the seed of what would soon become the Real Sociedad Española de Alpinismo Peñalara, This association of mountaineering, following the new trend taking place in neighboring France , grouped together in Spain , the true pioneers of nature and mountain lovers. It was the first association in Spain to join the UIAA (in 1932). In its early years, RSEA Peñalara worked to spread knowledge and enjoyment of the outdoors through the organization of related activities. It had an important role in the movement to legally protect the Parque del Peñalara (the natural park surrounding the Peñalara peak) in 1930, highlighting its natural values and the importance of its preservation. From the beginning of the 1920's until now, it has worked tirelessly to have the Parque Nacional del Guadarrama (the Guadarrama National Park) declared as such; a decision which finally seems to have become a reality. It has also been a promoter behind the building and organization of the network of mountain lodges in the Pyrennes, Gredos and the Central System.
Its long tradition of dedication and promotion of outdoor activities (mountaineering, climbing, hiking, etc.), and its goal to promote the outdoors as a space for all to enjoy, but in a responsible manner, has been the principle reason behind the association. Its history is marked by a number of popular initiatives (in 1921 there were nearly 2000 members) including the organization of traditional mountain races, and the coveted “Iron Cup”, which is still popular today.
2. RSEA Peñalara and mountain races
RSEA Peñalara, pioneer in the organization and promotion of mountain races, is responsible for the organizing of different regional and national events in the area of the Sierra de Guadarrama: Kilómetro Vertical de la Barranca (8 years), Cross de los Tres Refugios (20 years), Superduatlón de Montaña (17 years), Cross de la Cuerda Larga (21 years) and Cross de La Pedriza (20 years). All of these races are well known events in the Madrid area and have been events that have counted towards the Copa de España in mountain races organized by the FEDME ( Spanish Federation of Mountain Sports and Climbing) . All of these events are part of the “Iron Cup”, a competition that awards points to participants according to their results for participation in all of the events.
The latest trend in Europe has been the organization of mountain races which are long and take place over terrain with considerable height gain, known as Trail or Ultra Trail races. These races are over 50 kilometers and can be as long as 166 Km (100 miles) or even more, and usually follow traditional mountain pathways.
RSEA Peñalara has joined the trend and in 2010, with great success, organized the first Gran Trail Peñalara (GTP ) , an event of 110 kilometers that takes place in the Sierra de Guadarrama.
This event can earn points for participation in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (France), a world class event considered to be the World Cup of Ultra Trail races. This gives the Gran Trail de Peñalara an international perspective, being that the race takes place so close to Madrid, capital of Spain, with an international airport and all major means of communication, allowing for participants from all over the world and the country to arrive easily and take part in the event.
3. Race Presentation
The Gran Trail Peñalara was founded in 2010 with the purpose of commemorating the 100 year anniversary of RSEA Peñalara which is in 2013. The organization of this race has a special motivation which has always been the reason behind RSEA Peñalara: to promote the cultural and natural values of the Sierra de Guadarrama as the founders would have desired.
Following the latest mountain race trends, the event passes through different towns and emblematic places, using trails that were used by cattle, hunters and nowadays, by hikers, following the course of the GR10 trail.
The race is circular and is semi-autonomous requiring the participants to carry a minimum amount of necessary material which guarantees their safety during the 110 kilometers of the race. The maximum time allowed to complete the race is 30 hours. In 2011, the event known as Trail Peñalara 80K (TP80K) was founded, and follows the same race course, with the finish line in La Granja , with a maximum of 21 hours to complete the race.
The event is designed for anyone who is in physical shape and is familiar with mountain surroundings, allowing for participants of different levels to complete the race. (Some will employ 12-14 hours running, and others combine running and hiking to complete the event in the maximum time limits.) The event is a place for people from all over Spain and abroad to experience the true beauty of the mountains of Madrid and at the same time take special care and respect for the protected environment and its immense natural and cultural value.
Along the course, each participant will test his or her athletic ability within the mountain environment with altitudes above 2000 meters and different terrain. It is and ideal place to experience the spirit of the mountain and see how you measure up in clean competition.
4. Race Course
The race course begins in the town of Navacerrada, the gateway to the Sierra de Guadarrama, and heads through the valley of La Barranca and the Piornal Pass rising up to the summit of La Maliciosa and heading down through the sierra of Porrones to Cantocochino, which lies within the Parque Regional de La Pedriza. The course continues through La Pedriza following parts of the GR10, passing by the Lodge “Giner de los Ríos” and heading towards the Dehesilla Pass, Hoya de San Blas and the lower pine and oak groves of the old pathway from Madrid to el Paular reaching La Morcuera Pass. From here, after a long descent, the course arrives at the Paular Monastery in the heart of the Lozoya valley, crossing the river over the historical bridge, Puente del Perdón and arriving in the town of Rascafría .
From Rascafría and the Lozoya valley, the Gran Trail follows the top of the Montes Carpetanos, up to the Reventón Pass. From here it continues along the top between Segovia and Madrid where it reaches the highest point of the Madrid sierra at the summit of Peñalara. From Peñalara, the race drops down the Segovian side, with its majestic pine trees arriving in La Granja de San Ildefonso, where the finish line for those participating in the Trail Peñalara 80K will be.
From La Granja and following the road of the Pesquerías Reales, constructed during the reign of Charles III, parallel to the Eresma river, the GranTrail enters the pine forest of Valsaín and picks up the GR10 again, which ascends along the historical pathway between two plateaus reaching the Fuenfría Pass.
The Gran Trail leaves the Fuenfría and within the pine forest of Valsaín, climbs to the Navacerrada Pass (km 100). The last 10 km crosses the side of Las Guarramillas to the hill of Emburriadero and descends down the valley of La Barranca in order to reach the finish line in the town of Navacerrada.
5. New Features 2012
The new features offered in the third edition are:
• A third race will be scheduled, Trail Peñalara 60K (TP60K) . The starting line will be in el Paular (Rascafría) and the finish line will be in Navacerrada. The course is identical to the part of the Gran Trail between these two points and the maximum time limit will be 15 hours. There will be a bus service from Navacerrada to the starting line for the participants.
The TP 60K is an opportunity for athletes who would like to test themselves in a long distance race for the first time as a way to gain experience or for athletes who are preparing for other events and could use this distance as a test or for training purposes, or simply as a challenge in itself.
• For 2012 the GTP (110 km) will offer a team category made up of 2 athletes, offering the possibility to compliment or assist each other in completing the event and arriving at the finish line together in Navacerrada.
• The starting time will be at 6:00 am in order to prolong the first two time limits in Canto Cochino and Morcuera by half an hour so the slower participants won't spend all their energy in the first kilometers trying to arrive at the controls within the limits allowing them to better pace themselves overall.
• There will be an option for participants of the GTP and the TP80K to send a bag to the refreshment point at Puente del Perdón (KM 50) containing material to change clothing or with extra food, aside than the mandatory material they must be carrying at the start of the race.
