Patagonian Raceโค Prioritizes Pristine Landscape, Runner Responsibility
PUERTOโฃ MADRYN, ARGENTINA – November 13, 2024 – A unique โtrail running event, Valdรฉs Extremo, is set to take placeโ this weekend on the Penรญnsula Valdรฉs, emphasizingโฃ a deep โconnection with nature adn a โcommitment to environmental preservation. Organizers promise a race experience โunlike any other, specifically designedโ to minimize human impact on the fragile Patagonian ecosystem.
“Where you will not meet anyone,”โ explained Mario gadda, one of the event organizers, highlightingโ the โprivate course devoid of both spectators and vehicular traffic.โ The circuits, builtโค from existing trekking and mountain biking routes, weave through โdunes, guanaco trails, and offerโ panoramic ocean views.”The idea is for runners to enjoy nature as Peninsula โValdรฉsโ is, without human interference,” Gadda stated.
Valdรฉs Extremo distinguishes โฃitselfโ through its ecologicalโ practices. Instead of conventional โplastic markers, the institution utilizes reusable wooden stakes, removed instantly after runners pass, leaving no trace.โข Strict regulationsโฃ will beโข enforced, with disqualificationโค awaiting any participant who discards waste – even organic matter. “Throwing a gel or a banana peel does not make you faster. Nature doesโ notโข have to pay for โthat,” Gadda emphasized.
Runners will โฃbegin their race on โSunday, November 16th, from the beach in Puerto Pirรกmides. Start times are scheduled as follows: 24K and 12K at 9:30โค hs,โ and the 6K at 10:00 hs.โ The course โฃimmediately ascends Olazรกbal hill, โขimmersing participants in the peninsula’s dramaticโค cliffs, potential whale sightings,โ and expansive silence.
Mandatory accreditation and a technical โbriefing will be held on Saturday,โค November 15th,โค at the Rayentray Hotel in Puerto Madrynโ (Arenas room), beginning at 10:00 and running until โ17:00. The briefing will commence at 4:00 p.m. Required โdocumentation for kit collection includes โDNI โ(national โID),a signedโ disclaimer (available โon the official Valdรฉs Extremo website),and a โmedical certificate confirming physical fitness.
Gadda โunderscored the event’s broader purpose: “We want those who don’t know to take away the โขimage of an incredible corner ofโ Patagonia, and for those โฃwho already know it โขto โunderstand โคthat it โฃmust be taken careโค of.โฃ If we don’t preserve it, thereโ is no future.” valdรฉs Extremoโข aims to be more thanโค just a race; it’s a call to โฃconscious engagement with the Patagonian landscape.
Further โdata and registration details can be found at @valdesextremo.