Debut for the Sicilian Cursa dei Ciclopi
The “Cursa di Ciclopi,” Europe’s longest ultra trail, will start Saturday, April 22, from Cefalù in Sicily.
It is a race covering 500 kilometers in one week through 50 municipalities and 8 of Italy’s most beautiful villages, 4 regional parks, the Sentiero Italia, the Nebrodi ridge and Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. Participants must complete the route by April 29, with a very high required average, a total elevation gain of 20,000 meters and the highest elevation at 2,800 meters on Mount Etna.
The Sicilian race is the “daughter” of the Tor des Géants, a historic 330-kilometer race held annually in the Aosta Valley that has become one of the most prestigious trail running events internationally, and whose consulting services were used for the organizational phase. Competing for victory will be 59 male and female athletes from 17 nations, including two TORX winners and other athletes among the most highly ranked in this very special discipline.
The route will be dotted with 8 “life bases” and dozens of refreshment points where participants can rest and receive assistance, thanks in part to the support of dozens of volunteers and the European Solidarity Corps, coordinated by the InformaGiovani Association. Notable participants include Tor des Glaciers 2022 winner Sebastien Raichon, Transgrancanaria 360° winner in 2021 Marco Gubert, and Martin Perrier (sixth at the last Tor). Among women, Sabrina Verjee (winner of Tor 2022) stands out.
The route was tested by a group of “pioneers” in order to verify the walkability of the planned paths. The male and female athletes participating in this first official edition come from different parts of the world, including 21 Italians. The project was sponsored by the Sicilian Regional Assembly and the Sicilian Region (Departments of Agriculture and Rural Development, Territory and Tourism), as well as the local authorities whose territories will be crossed by the route.
For info visit the official website www.cursadiciclopi.com
