RED TRAIL 26 KM 12
REFRESHMENT POSTS
GREEN TRAIL 20 KM 10
REFRESHMENT POSTS
YELLOW TRAIL14 KM 7
REFRESHMENT POSTS
BLACK TRAIL 7 KM 3
REFRESHMENT POSTS NIGHT
RACE 7,5 KM 3 REFRESHMENT POSTS
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO SIGN UP.
MAKE OUR JOB EASIER IN THE DOCTOR’S CERTIFICATE SECTION.
Remember to come and get your number
as soon as possible.
Numbers are being distributed from Friday between 5pm and 8pm.
Your number can be posted to you up until 20 June (to reduce the
risk of it being delivered late in the post) by sending us a stamped
addressed envelope.
e
Advice
from GABI ETXART* :
*Founder of the
CRETES race and responsible for its organisation.
Organiser of road races for 35 consecutive years
2h30mins in the marathon of ‘75
Winner of the first CRETES race.
Winner of several mountain races.
President of the Athlétisme 64 committee from ‘81 to ‘89
President of non-stadium races for 10 years.
The
champions can break away,
I’m racing at my own rhythm...
No
special preparation for the mountain novices.
This advice is of course directed at neophytes, that is, those who
have never, or hardly ever, run a mountain race.
In fact, every year many people discover together the mountain race:
CRETES DU PAYS BASQUE.
Over the last 3 or 4 years, most of the finishing problems have come
about due to overtraining during the weeks or even the days
preceding the race. Be sure not to make this mistake.
It takes knowledge of the specific efforts involved (even the
specific route involved) to run a mountain race, weather and
geographical location allow it. It is not the day to aim for a
personal best.
Honey
! I’m in the middle of this bunch !
It’s steep but not impossible.... I’m pacing myself
The
secret is not to “burn yourself out” neither in the days leading up
to the race nor during the first section of the route.
The basic difference between preparing for a marathon or a half
marathon is that not everyone has a mountain-race route near to
where they live; whereas most runners can go for a run on a macadam
route right on their doorstep, and quite easily find a training
route with distance bearings and timing.
So none of this specific training that some CRETES neophytes have
described to me in the past, with their training sessions in the
last weeks before the race consisting of running up slopes worthy of
the most decorated mountaineers. The result is often conclusive: a
sporting disappointment, or even feeling faint: all of which is
quickly forgotten though, due to the fun atmosphere of the CRETES
race.
Regular training by doing your usual “half” or even your “15
kilometres” will suffice.
Do not try to dominate the
mountain, try to work with it instead.
7
kmand already the third refreshment stop,
after ezcandray we’ll soon be at Mondarrain,
it’s a good job I’ve re-fuelled
Some
bearings :
The 27 km CRETES race can be done in the same time as 35 km of a
marathon on flat ground.
The 19 km CRETES race can be done in the same time as 25 km of a
marathon on flat ground.
The non-ranking 7 km race is aimed at the categories of younger
runners who wish to sample mountain racing. It is almost like an
initiation, and in beautiful surroundings. The 7 km race is non-ranking
so as to avoid any “racing for the gold medal”. It is rather like an
introduction to mountain racing for adults.
You should, however, be in excellent physical condition and choose
the right distance depending on your objectives: having fun or
performing – both if possible, according to your physical condition
and your mentality. Plus, you should always bear in mind that next
year there will always be another CRETES race.
Some
useful things for the day of the race
:
A - choose your race according to your fitness.
B - pace yourself right up to the summit of the MONDARAIN,
regardless of the distance you have chosen to run.
C - if the weather is very hot only drink water until you reach the
summit of the MONDARIAN to avoid overheating due to consuming too
much sugar: orange, dried fruit etc. After that point you should
enjoy your refreshment (refreshment at the top of the MONDARIAN
becomes indispensable, but should not be over-done, because there
are refreshments every 10 or 15 minutes, even less for some.
Phew:
the Mondarain summit! Time for refreshments
and to take a moment to contemplate
the magnificent Basque coast at my feet.
D - According to your
needs (do not wait until you are on your last legs!!).You should
alternate: water (in sips), dried fruit or oranges, there is a tea
stand “hot tea” (highly recommended in all weather) at the
refreshment stop “pausa leku”: GAINEKO BORDA hut.
The
27 km and 19 km runners go their separate ways....
to music, what a panorama!!!
The
border stone: for the 27 km runners only
if they get to ZUCATA in less than 1.45 hours !!
Getting
your hike right:
Plan to be self-sufficient. Refreshments are intended for the
runners. Depending on the atmospheric conditions and the number of
runners, certain water stands may be opened up to walkers. You
should take enough water and other refreshments with you.
The route will be marked out and indicated in the morning. Walkers
may begin at their own rhythm from 1pm (attention: this is different
from other years).
The staggered starting times on an identical route for the first
section should eliminate the usual build-ups at certain points,
which cause runners difficulties.
The hiking route is the same as the race route at certain points.
There are several hikes possible, from 10 to 20 km. There is no
signing up.
Shepherds,
shearers, and runners all on the same route
Those
lucky runners can have hot tea at PAUSA LEKU!!!
As a hiker, I’ve brought everything I need with me
(self -sufficiency)
Borde
gaineko borda
Getting
the party right:
For the evening meal: the first 3,000 to sign up will be guaranteed
a seat in the big marquee (unless they specifically request
otherwise on signing up). The rest will be in smaller seating areas
(300 to 500 seats) with the same entertainment and menus as in the
big marquee. This proved to be a very popular set-up in 2005. The
intention is not to leave anyone out.
When you get to ESPELETTE you collect your meal ticket and you go to
be seated immediately. Seating is computerised on presentation of
your meal ticket at the big marquee, wherever you are having your
meal.
!!!!!!
ATTENTION: VERY IMPORTANT !!!!!!!
For all those who wish to be seated together for their meal, it is
vital to register your meal tickets at the big marquee all together.
This is particularly important for those individuals who wish to eat
at the same table as a group which has been previously constituted.
Tickets should be grouped together before the seating. If a group is
already seated, it is practically impossible to change the places or
the constitution of the group. Do not wait until the last minute.
The seating staff will be there in the morning from around 9.30.
Tables seat up to 35 people. For bigger groups it is preferable to
choose two half tables in the same area.
Only
a few more metres and the party begins !!
On
Sunday I can challenge the BASQUES
to a round of FORCE BASQUE endurance games.
.: Friday july
6
:
09h00 am
: Collection of numbers.
08h00 pm
: End of race subscriptions.
10h30
pm
: Departure of the night race : Espelette to the top of the
Mondarain. Max 200 runners - 7,5 km long. Way back to Espelette by
feet.
01h00
am
: End of massage.
.: Saturday july
7
:
09h00
am
: Collection of numbers.
11h00 am
:
Departure of the MIAM-MIAM
hiking - sheperd meal.
11h30 pm :
Departure of the free hiking.
PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN FOOD AND REFRESHMENTS
01h30 pm : Departure of
the 26 km race.
01h35 pm : Departure of
the Nordic race specific sticks are mandatory. Provided by the
organization to the first 200 registrants.
02h15 pm : Departure of
the 20 km race.
02h30 pm : Departure of
the 14 km race.
04h00 pm : Departure of
the 7 km race. Unranked race.
08h00 pm
: Basque Dinner. Traditional
songs and dances.
.:Sunday july 8
:
03h00
pm : Show of
force basque.
