TransPortugal Garmin - Places Still Available

News Release / 12.02.2012

It is 3 months to the start of TransPortugal Garmin Race 2012. The biggest multi-stage endurance off-road race in Portugal starts on the 5^th May. The ultimate endurance race, as we call it. Presently in its 10^th edition and once again challenging competitors to cross the entire length of Portugal from north to South, from Bragança to Sagres, over 1200km divided in 9 days of racing through the most remote and unknown corners of the Portuguese countryside.

The entries for the race opened on the 1^st October 2011 and as usually were fully taken in a short period of time. However, this year many of those who sent in their entries did not confirm them by paying on time and as it stands there are still a few places available.

The current participants list is updated on the race official website at www.trans-portugal.com

For 2012 we have participants coming from the 4 corners of the planet, totalling 15 different nationalities. This year 70% of all the competitors are from outside Portugal and 40% of these come from South Africa. Similarly to previous years, South Africans make up for the biggest foreign contingent.

Up to now we have 6 female racers confirmed, all from outside Portugal. Norwegian Kate Aardal comes for the second time to our race. Last year she finished in a brilliant fourth place, the best result ever achieved by a woman in this race.

With so many repeating racers this year it becomes hard to pinpoint someone, but one racer stands out from the entries list, Ricardo Melo who comes for the 10^th time (he has done them all). He is race plate number “1” and actually won the race once.

The emotion of this experience, the beauty of this country waiting to be discovered, the race atmosphere, the social intercourse, the comfort of the hotels, the abundant and delicious Portuguese food and the staff`s sympathy and joyfulness, that explains why so many come again and again, year after year.

Our most sincere “thank you again” to: Toru Watanabe from Japan, Greg Anderson, Henry Hayes and Robert Hayes from South Africa, Paul-Hervé Theunissen and Peter Verkest from Belgium, Gonçalo Correia, Pedro Simas, Francisco Carneiro, Carlos Rui Ferreira, José Pereira and Rui Anjos from Portugal, Steven Williams from the USA, and a very special thanks to the veteran Greg Mckennis from the USA who every year complains about the race’s extreme physical demands but comes again – now for the 5^th time!