The new stage race in the Eastern Pyrenees ended on Sunday after 3 routes that surprised the runners and details such as a concert on Saturday night and a barbecue at the arrival of the last stage
Finally the rain came on Thursday night and made way for 3 cooler days but without rain, the ideal conditions for a mountain race in the middle of autumn, like the Brama Stage Run. The vast majority of runners (50% of them from other countries and 21 different nationalities) arrived on Thursday with the unknown of a 1st edition, but also with 50% of participants who already participated in other stage races of the same organization such as the Pyrenees or the Costa Brava Stage Run. Also noteworthy is the 35% female participation that is a constant in the races organized by BiFree.
Brama offers 3 different distances with the aim of opening stage races to all those who like to run in the mountains. Each day there are 3 routes of between 17km (the shortest) and 35km (the longest) approximately in 3 different areas around Ribes de Freser, which is the center of the event and the finish of all the stages.
The first stage held on Friday was held through the Serra de Montgrony, perhaps the least known terrain that surprised the runners with its spectacular forests and the magnificent views from its highest peaks, Costa Pubilla and La Covil. The route also passes through Planoles, Nevà and Campelles, three towns with personality that define Montgrony very well. Finally, and as with all the races organized by BiFree, all the participants and staff had dinner together in Ribes de Freser Sports Hall with the awards ceremony and the projection of the photos and videos of the stage, a moment greatly celebrated by all the participants.
On Saturday it was time for the “queen” stage, starting with the experience of going up to Núria with the rack railway and with a beautiful start at the 2000m altitude of the Núria Valley. This allows you to run a spectacular tour through the highest peaks of the “Capçaleres del Ter-Freser” Natural Park to finally end up descending through Gorges del Freser and finish in Ribes. At the end of the stage and before the dinner, the singer “New George” offered a recital of song versions that delighted the runners and volunteers in the race.
The last day, there was a stage through Serra Cavallera, leaving Ribes and going up to Pardines in the first stages of the race, the long route went up to Puig Cerverís and then goes in search of the mythical ridge between Puig Estela and Taga (where shorter routes joined the longer), with their characteristic breathtaking views. And after the final descent in Ribes de Freser, the final surprise was a barbecue of grilled meat to close 3 unforgettable days, enjoying running in the mountains and the company of the runners and volunteers, who end up forming a big family.
The BRAMA60K has been dominated by Oscar Lopez in the men’s category with a final accumulated time of 6h45’21” after the 3 stages. In the female category, Mesi Arcos has won with ease with 7h00’17” after winning the 1st stage outright.
In the medium distance, the BRAMA80K, the winner was Sílvia Canals after dominating all the stages with a total of 10h40’28”. And in the men’s category, the local runner Xevi Guinovart has also dominated all the stages with a great margin with 8h46’56”.
Finally, the longest distance, the BRAMA100K, was won by the Canarian Carmelo Gonzalez (11h59’10”), after a nice fight with Àlex Urbina. In the female category, the Swiss Nina Brenn took the victory with 13h31’57” after recovering from the 3rd position in which she finished the 1st stage.
The 1st edition of Brama has left a very good feelings to all the participants, who have highlighted the attractiveness of the routes in three very different areas that allow for a tasting of the 3 most prominent mountain ranges in the area, together with the ease of being able to stay at the same point every day. After this year’s excellent experience, the organization will repeat the event next year expecting as many or more runners who like to run in the mountains and enjoy the experience of stage races!
