RACES OF THE MONTH - FEBRUARY

Europe - United Kingdom – The Costal Trail Series - South Devon 2020

As the name suggests, the Costal Trail Series consists of twelve seaside events in different parts of Great Britain. By entering the series, runners get the chance to experience the most beautiful coastal areas of the Island.

The series takes a runner to Dover, South Devon, Dorset, Gower, Suffolk, North York Moors, Classic Quarter, Pembrokeshire, Exmoor, Sussex, Northumberland, Anglesey.

The race locations are renowned for their gorgeous cliffs, quiet sandy bays, picturesque coastal villages, and their abundance of marine life. All the races in the series offer a wide variety of terrain, this is coastal trail running at its best.

Race Preview - The South Devon

The birthplace of the Coastal Trail Series - the South Devon stage has become a cult classic of the season. The fact that the course is located within an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ (AONB), should say it all, yet just because it’s beautiful doesn’t take away from the challenge and adventure of the course. Jagged rocks interspersed with idyllic sandy coves, this coastline is jaw-droppingly beautiful and inspiring.

The South Devon 10k, half, full, and ultra-marathon events are for real fans of trail running. In this unforgettable race, runners will tackle the technical coastline as well as heading inland to face the infamous Devon hills.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoastalTrailSeries/?fref=ts

Asia - Iran – Geopark Trail 2020

Qeshm Island (UNESCO Global Geopark) is an island of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is the largest island of the Persian Gulf region and stands parallel to the south coasts of the Hormuz Strait.

Qeshm Island UNESCO Global Geopark is part of the enormous mountain range of Zagros, which was created in the last phase of the Alpine orogeny.

The island has an abundance of wildlife featuring unique birds, reptiles, dolphins, and turtles. It's a place where several zoogeographical and phytogeographical areas meet each other (Afro-tropical, Oriental, and Eurasian), which has generated a wide variety of fauna and flora. Qeshm Island also has the world's longest salt cave that measures 6600 m in length.

The word "Geopark" combines the words "geology/geography" and "park" to refer to a region that is recognized to have geological features of superior quality. It’s not just about rocks and fossils, Geoparks also offers an abundance of cultural heritage, history, and beautiful natural landscapes, making them ideal ecotourism destinations.

The race organizers have worked hard to showcase the island’s beauty to all the runners. There are two races distances the 70 and 30 kilometers. With both trails leading through the breathtaking mountains of Queshm Island, where you can experience the real freedom of nature.

See more movies and pictures here: https://www.instagram.com/geoparktrail/

Central America - Guatemala - Ultramaraton Xocomil I Atitlan 2020

This event is organized by a group of trail runners, mountaineers, hikers, and nature lovers who dreamt of creating the best long-distance races in Guatemala. This race takes you through the trails, mountains and remote villages not often visited by tourists

The Ultramaraton Xocomil offers you a unique experience that combines nature & adventure sports with environment awareness, local tourism, and indigenous culture.

The race gets its name from the region and Lake Atitlán, which is located in the Guatemalan Highlands of the Sierra Madre mountain range. It is in the Sololá Department of southwestern Guatemala and is the deepest lake in Central America.

Atitlán means "between the waters." In the Nahuatl language, "atl" is the word for water, and "titlan" means "between." Lake Atitlán is renowned as one of the most beautiful lakes in the world and is Guatemala's most important national and international tourist attraction.

Ultramarathon Xocomil 100 miles was designed to give runners a demanding route, but also to let them see the beauty of the environment that Lake Atitlan has to offer.

The runners in the 100miles Ultra-marathon Xocomil are taken by boat from San Juan Lagoon across Lake Atitán to the start at San Lucas Toliman. This semi self-sufficient race departs lakeside before following the volcanoes and hills on the perimeter of Lake Atitlan totaling 159.7km with 10,827m elevation gain.

This race is sure to be a wild adventure.

The event offers 6 different distances, a race to suit all abilities and desires.

• Ultramaraton Xocomil 100 Miles
• Ultramaraton Xocomil 100Km
• Ultramaraton Xocomil 80Km
• Ultramaraton Xocomil 50Km
• Xocomil 35Km
• Xocomil 21Km

For the long distances’ races, runners must follow the special application process. More details you may find on the ITRA website: https://itra.run/race/2020/6185-ultramaraton-xocomil---atitlan/21191-ultramaraton-xocomil-100-mi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UTCSeriesGT/

Pictures: Race Organizers