Now and then, you encounter people who are doing precisely what they are born to do. Witnessing some of the world’s best Ultrarunners navigate the mountains of Gran Canaria was an incredible performance of determination, passion and endurance.
The Transgrancanaria Classic followed 128km from the north to the south of the island, with a 7,080m (23,228ft) elevation. Athletes began in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on the Playa de Las Canteras, setting off at midnight on the 25th of February.
Over 3000 runners from 52 countries were to attempt the incredibly challenging course.
Athletes then passed through Tenoya, Arucas and Fontanales, where each checkpoint featured an organised pit stop, and loved ones of the athletes were prepared with snacks and water on hand. The organisers had tables packed with everything from ham and sausages to fruit to cola.
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The sun had risen after a mild night as the first athletes passed through Tejeda, with favourite Courtney Dauwalter still smiling despite her incredible speed.
Andreu Simón remained the first male for most of the race, powering ahead with unparalleled determination.
The route continued through El Garanon, Tuente, with the final checkpoint in Ayagaures before the final stretch to the finish line in Parque Sur Maspalomas, where a festival of music and celebration took over the small town.
Simón won the overall Transgrancanaria Classic in an incredible time of 13 hours, 39 minutes and 33 seconds. Second place was only five minutes behind; Portuguese champion Miguel Arsénio (13:44:37), with third place awarded to American Tyler Green (14:06:46).
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Courtney Dauwalter fulfilled everyone’s expectations by being the first female through in 14 hours, 40 minutes, and 39 seconds. This was an uncontested time for the American athlete, who finished one hour and forty-five minutes ahead of Canadian Jazmine Lowther (16:26:41). Spanish runner Claudia Tremps won the bronze medal (16:33:34) after arriving in third place.
Upon reaching the finish line, Dauwalter embraced her husband, who had crewed her the whole race, before raising a drink to one another in celebration, reportedly Dauwalter’s favourite drink.
She thanked The Transgrancanaria team for a beautiful race and the welcome from the Gran Canarian people. She commented on the beautiful scenery and was happy with her win at her Transgrancanaria debut.
The Advanced 84km route also set off Saturday morning in Agaete, finishing in Maspalomas, traversing through Artenara, Tejeda, Tuente and Ayagaures.
British runner George Foster won the Transgrancanaria Advanced. Foster clocked a time of 8 hours, 29 minutes and 14 seconds at the finish line, just over a quarter of an hour ahead of Austrian Alexander Hutter (08:45:15).
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Tom Joly, also from the United Kingdom (08:49:19), arrived in third place four minutes after Hutter.
In the women’s category, Azara García de los Salmones dominated from start to finish (09:45:54). Finnish Johanna Antila (09:55:48) and Italy’s Giulia Vinco (10:20:38) joined her on the podium in the second and third place.