On Sunday, February 22, the centenary of the inauguration of the Urola train is celebrated. And, coinciding with this anniversary, a group of runners … of the region has been encouraged to organize a race that will be held for the first time that same day. They have called it Urolako Trena Maratoia (Urola Train Marathon). In its first edition, this test will have a downstream route of 21,097 kilometers (half marathon), linking the Zumarraga train stations with Azpeitia. Although the objective is that from 2027 onwards the race can be held at a marathon distance (42.195 kilometers).
«We spoke among several friends who usually run along the Urola greenway and, being aware of the big difference between going downriver or upriver, we thought about creating a very fast marathon, downhill. Perhaps the fastest in the world,” explains Asier Auzmendi, one of the organizers. «In this first edition, which coincides with one hundred years since the Urola train was launched, it will not be possible for the test to be 42,195 kilometers because the conditioning works on the greenway will not be completed by February 22. But by 2027 it will be there on time and the entire old Urola railway route will be available for running.
Therefore, this year there will be 21,097 kilometers between Zumarraga and Azpeitia, passing through Urretxu and Azkoitia. «During the route, the race will pass through all the old Urola train stations, some of them being refreshment points: Aginaga (km 4.9), Aizpurutxo (km 9.9), Azkoitia (km 15.9) and Loiola (km 19). 19 tunnels are passed. The difference is clearly negative. The starting point, in Zumarraga, is 356 meters above sea level. The finish line, in Azpeitia, at 80”, continue the organizers. Next year, the idea is for the test to end in Zumaia.
From the organization of this innovative popular race, which already has registration open (the price is 29 euros until the 25th of this month), they hope to even lower the hour taking advantage of its route with negative slope. This circumstance means that brands cannot be approved, but it is not, by any means, the objective.
«We want it to be a special event, with local athletes who want to enjoy nature while running fast. But we also want to promote international tourism in the area,” they conclude.
