Photo: morcegostrail.com
Photo: morcegostrail.com
Desafio Vertical was my first trail race in the middle of the Atlantic ocean. It’s a race on São Miguel , an island in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores . This was also my first race in almost three years. In 2015, I started getting some annoying problems, which have prevented from doing much running over the last seven years. And, every time I’ve tried running more or faster, I’ve ended up with more issues. Last time I did a race, back in 2019, I once again got into trouble. So, it’s safe to say I was excited before the start.
Credit: morcegostrail.com
My goal was to complete the race without literarily running into trouble once again. However, running uphill seems to be far better than flat, for me. So with such a hilly trail, I had high hopes I would get to the finish line.
Credit: runalyze.com
I signed up for the short version of the race, DV Curto . With its 12.9 km, 820 meters climb and 720 meter descent, it was plenty for me.
Credit: raceclocker.com
I’ll make it short: It went above all expectations. The race was brilliant! Very well organised. Super nice staff. The trail was outstanding. One of the most scenic trail races I’ve ever done. The speaker said that Água de Pau is São Miguel’s answer to Chamonix, and some parts of the trail reminded me of Chamonix indeed.
Credit: runalyze.com
We were lucky with the weather, and on the race day it felt like full on summer to me, here on the Azores. After everything that has been going on over the last two years, I feel blessed to have experienced such a beautiful event as Desafio Vertical.
Quite a unique location to start a race.
One of the DV Longo participants, just having started.
DV is a gate to nature! (DV Longo)
“The Greenth of Freedom” (DV Longo)
Steep and beautiful stairs (DV Longo)
Welcome to the fairy tale! (DV Longo)
Surrounded by the Atlantic. (DV Longo)
The race ended in beautiful Água de Pau.
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Links
- morcegostrail.com (race website)
- DV Curto (short trail)
- DV Longo (long trail)