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Registration Opens Next Week for the Grand Raid des Pyrénées

News Release / 06.01.2012

The organizers of the Grand Raid des Pyrénées have announced the opening date for registrations for the fifth edition of the increasingly popular trail race.

The Grand Raid des Pyrénées has firmly established itself as the reference for altitude running in the high Pyrenean mountains of South West France. Readers of Generation Trail magazine voted it the third most beautiful trail in France in a 2011 survey, and the race has generated considerable international interest as well with the participation of trail runners from as far away as Japan and South Africa.

Indeed, the podium in 2011 was an international affair with Oscar Perez Lopez from Spain taking first in the 180 km, and Nicky Spinks from the United Kingdom affirming her domination of the Pyrénées with her second consecutive win. The 80 km was won by Dachhiri Dawa Sherpa from Nepal and Agnes Francastel from France took first in the women’s category.

The race will take place from August 24th to the 26th, 2012. As in previous editions, there will be two races taking off from the picturesque village of Vielle-Aure; 80 km with 5,000m ascent and 160 km with 10,000 ascent. The ascension of the Pic du Midi, weather permitting, remains one of the main attractions of the race. The starting gun will go off for the 160 km on Friday, August 24th at 05:00 and the 80 km will start the following day on Saturday, August 25th at 05:00.

Another distance has also been added to the menu this year with the “Raid 220”, which
will consist of teams of three racing in total autonomy. Registration for this category is contingent upon meeting the conditions listed on the website. (i.e. the team captain must be a three time finisher of the Ultra).

Registration for the three distances will open on January 12th, 2012 at 12:12 on the official <a href="#" onClick="javascript:newsitewindow('http://www.grandraidpyrenees.com ')" class="main">web site</a>.

Last year both races were full only six weeks after registrations opened so it is predicted that spaces will go quickly. Registration is limited to 850 places on the 80 km and the 160 km.