After three editions, Spanish long-distance trail running race, Trailcat, is becoming one of nine international races that grant access to the TOR330 – Tor Des Géants race in Italy, considered one the most prestigious trail endurance race worldwide.
The Trailcat team has also agreed a separate joint venture that aims to connect the Spanish and South Korean trail running markets. This involves a partnership with Sport HG, a high-end apparel manufacturer from Catalonia, Spain.
Sport HG is a provider for major trail running events around Europe, such as Ultra Trail Tarragona (UTTGN by SportHG) and Madeira Island Ultra Trail (MIUT).
The apparel company is seeking expansion into the Asian market. So, Sport HG and Trailcat are linking-up with OSK (Outdoor Sports Korea), an established importer of sports brands for the South Korean market. This will see OSK offer special travel packages for South Korean runners to discover the Costa Daurada region in Spain.
Held in Spain’s Catalonia region, southwest of Barcelona, Trailcat sees athletes battle tough conditions in the Costa Daurada mountains. Next year’s race, from March 12 to 16, 2025, starts and finished in Prades (Tarragona).
Trailcat participants will traverse the Montsant Natural Park, the Sierra de Llaberia, and the Prades Mountains all within a maximum time of 86 hours, covering a route with 15,000m of elevation gain. This event requires self-sufficiency from its participants, with only three ‘life bases’, three aid stations, and an unmarked course with GPS navigation that will remain secret until 15 days before race day.
In the previous edition, more than 20 nationalities started from the Plaza Mayor of Prades, but only 18 participants managed to finish the race. The organising team note that it is a race that pushes every runner to their limit and demands the utmost from them over four consecutive days.
The top ten finishers in the 200-mile Trailcat distance and the top five finishers in the 100-mile distance will secure a direct spot without a draw for the TOR330 in Italy.
Dani Buyo, Trailcat Race Director and Founder, said “Trailcat The Race is a very special race for us. It even carries the name of the club, it’s our crown jewel.
“The involvement of all the volunteers is the utmost, and we almost have more volunteers than participants. This allows us to offer very close and personalized treatment to each runner, providing a unique racing experience.
“The 200-mile race, in particular, is brutal. Those who sign up are true mountain gladiators. We have a very high dropout rate, around 67%. Each runner has their own experience, and no two are alike, each story is incredible.
“We get goosebumps every time someone crosses the finish line; we empathize a lot with them after four days of racing, constantly following them and witnessing their hardships.”
He added “The discipline of endurance trail is like going back to the past and returning to the origins. Unmarked paths, where you don’t have to constantly look for ribbons, allowing you to lift your head and see the entire landscape and enjoy the surroundings.”
www.trailcat200.com
www.torxtrail.com/en/content/tor-des-géants
www.osk.run
www.sporthg.com
www.trail.cat
