Asturias Secures Historic Silver at Spanish Trail Running Championship in Naranco

The home crowd in Oviedo witnessed a landmark achievement on Sunday, April 12, as the Asturian men’s absolute team claimed the silver medal at the Spanish Trail Running Championship of Autonomous Federations. In a grueling battle across the rugged terrain of Monte Naranco, the Asturian squad leveraged the strength of their local star, Diego Menéndez, to secure a second-place finish in the general standings.

The result marks a historic milestone for the region, which hosted the event for the first time. Although the gold remained with the powerhouse selection from Catalonia, the Asturian performance underscored the region’s growing dominance in mountain running on home soil.

The Asturian men’s absolute selection, led by their standard-bearer Diego Menéndez, fought through a demanding course to secure the silver medal in the first-ever edition of the championship held in the Naranco environment. Menéndez, who entered the race as the Spanish champion in both the marathon distance and individual trail running, crossed the finish line third providing the critical points needed to propel his team to the podium.

La selección asturiana masculina absoluta, de la mano de su gran estandarte, Diego Menéndez, logró la medalla de plata en el Campeonato de España de trail celebrado por primera vez en el entorno del Naranco. Menéndez, campeón de España de distancia maratón hace unas semanas, fue el tercer atleta en cruzar la meta e impulsó al equipo asturiano al segundo puesto en la general.

Torrella Dominates the Naranco Peaks

The race was defined by a masterclass in pacing and power from Catalonia’s Jan Torrella. Torrella seized control of the 22-kilometer course from the opening moments, maintaining a relentless tempo that left the field struggling to keep pace. Even during the most punishing climbs, Torrella’s rhythm remained unbroken, effectively neutralizing a high-caliber chasing group that included Menéndez, Ibai Larrea of the Basque Country, Andreu Blanes of Valencia, and Javier Gutiérrez of Andalusia.

In the individual order of arrival, Torrella took first place, followed by Larrea in second and Menéndez in third. However, due to the fact that the championship for autonomous federations is decided by the cumulative time of the top three runners from each region, the team standings differed slightly. Catalonia revalidated its title as champions, while Asturias secured the silver and the Basque Country took the bronze.

A Course Designed to Break Teams

The Spanish Trail Running Championship in Naranco was not merely a test of speed, but one of endurance and tactical precision. The absolute category faced a course totaling 22 kilometers with 1,200 meters of positive elevation gain. The route was designed to be a “filter of truth,” featuring two grueling ascents to the Cristo del Naranco, as well as two climbs up Pico Paisano and a final push to Peña Lampaya.

To ensure only the most elite athletes progressed, organizers implemented a strict cut-off point at kilometer 12.5, requiring runners to reach the mark within two hours. This rule added significant pressure to the team dynamics, as a single runner failing to meet the cut-off could jeopardize an entire federation’s standing.

For those unfamiliar with the format, this specific championship differs from the individual national titles. While the individual Spanish champions—Diego Menéndez and María Martínez—had already been crowned a month prior in Caldas de Reis, this event focused on the collective strength of the autonomous federations. This distinction means that victory does not go to the federation with the single fastest runner, but to the one capable of fielding the most complete and consistent three-person block.

Valencian Dominance in the Women’s Field

The women’s competition saw a different powerhouse emerge. The Comunidad Valenciana claimed the national title, driven by a commanding performance from María Fuentes. Fuentes proved untouchable during the final descents, securing the individual win and leading her team to the top of the podium.

Claudia Corral of Castilla y León finished second, and María La Chica of Catalonia rounded out the individual podium in third. In the team standings, Catalonia took the silver medal, while the Basque Country earned the bronze.

Beyond the Absolute Category: Sub-23 and Promotion

The event, held as part of the III Trail del Prerrománico Ciudad de Oviedo, too featured categories for emerging talent. Unlike the absolute race, the Sub-23 and Promotion categories determined their winners based on the sum of the positions of the top two runners from each team.

• Sub-23 Category: Competed over a 13-kilometer course with 700 meters of positive elevation.
• Promotion Category: Covered a shorter 8-kilometer route with 400 meters of positive elevation.

These races, which started later in the morning, provided a platform for the next generation of Spanish trail runners to test themselves against the steep gradients of the Monte Naranco.

The Road to Ljubljana

The stakes in Oviedo extended beyond national pride. The Championship of Autonomous Federations served as a critical qualifying event for the European Championship in Ljubljana. A total of four slots were up for grabs, adding an extra layer of intensity to every climb and descent.

The event was organized through a collaboration between the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA), the Asturian Federation, NOKAO, and the Ayuntamiento de Oviedo. By bringing the championship to Asturias for the first time, the organizers highlighted the region’s capacity to host elite mountain running events, following previous national mountain races in Tineo (2012) and Benia de Onís (2015).

III Trail del Naranco Results

Alongside the federation championship, the III Trail del Naranco attracted hundreds of runners in a separate competitive event. In the longest distance (22km), the podiums were as follows:

Men’s Podium:

• 1st: Víctor Mier (Oriente)
• 2nd: Ivan Kuzmenko (Find Your Everest)
• 3rd: Mario Fernández (Korrikazaleak)

Women’s Podium:

• 1st: Patricia Fernández (GM Reinoastur)
• 2nd: Elena Fernández (Celtastur Mushing)
• 3rd: Adela Popescu (Avientu)

With the national championships concluded, the focus now shifts to the European stage in Ljubljana, where Spain’s top qualifiers will look to translate their domestic success into international medals.

Do you think the Asturian team can climb to the gold in the next edition? Share your thoughts in the comments below.