UTAX 2014 was made up of 3 races: UTAX (Ultra Trail Aldeias do Xisto- 109 km) TSL (Trail Serra da Lousã - 42km) and Mini-Trail- 24km.

WINNERS

The big winners in each race were Luis Duarte (UTAX - 13:06:46); Paulo Lopes (TSL - 04:28:20) and Pedro Pinto Alberto (Mini Trail - 01:59:36). For the women, the top places on the podium went to Ester Alves (UTAX - 16:53:49), Lucinda Sousa (TSL - 05:09:29) and Inês Marques (Mini Trail - 02:19:28).

After weeks of intense preparation, at midnight on the 18th (Friday to Saturday night), 256 athletes took part in the UTAX Race. The rainy night, the fog, the wind and poor visibility at the highest points, and the technical and slippery path after a week of heavy rainfall, combined with the distance, unevenness, and technical difficulty of the whole course, led to the inevitable unanimous opinion: this is a rugged race. Even so, 160 athletes completed the course, receiving at the end a Finisher's sweatshirt, as well as congratulations and admiration. All finalists will also receive 3 race points towards the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. Completion times ranged from 13:06:46 to 24:47:28!

In the general category, Luís Duarte from RUN.PT took first place, with 13:06:46; in second place the Madeiran athlete Luís Fernandes from ACD Jardim da Serra, with 13:11:16, and Victor Teixeira from NAST, with 13:22:12. As in 2013, the Women's podium was led by Ester Alves, athlete from the Desnível Positivo / Sport Zone Club who completed the race in 16:53:49. Second place went to Sofia Roquete (CCD), with 17:04:43, and in third position on the podium was Ana Gonçalves from Alive Fitness Club (18:24:42).

Taking place at the same time as the UTAX, the Trail Serra da Lousã (42 km) and the Mini-Trail (24 km) started on Saturday morning. The winner of the 42 km Trail Serra da Lousã was Paulo Lopes (Tough Trails- Alenquer), with 04:28:20. He was followed by Pedro Marques (Lobos do Monte) and Marco Martinho (RUN.PT). In the women’s category, grand champion was Lucinda Sousa (Gondomar Indoor Football Club), with 05:09:29. The 2nd and 3rd places went to non-affiliated athlete Natércia Silvestre and Maria do Rosário Martins, from Gondomar Indoor Football Club.
In the Mini-Trail, the first three places of the podium belonged to Pedro Pinto Albero (01:59:36), Romeu Gouveia (02:03:31), and Jorge Amorim (02:04:01). The women’s category was won by Inês Marques (02:19:28), Marta Rosa (02:36:33), and Carla Leite (02:38:38).

A WEEKEND FULL OF ACTIVITIES...

But this was not only a Trailrunning weekend... it was also an event to celebrate heritage, be it cultural, natural or intangible. It was also a social action event in which everyone, including children and people with reduced mobility, could race through the mountains... getting dirty, wet and even falling, but reaching the end with smiles on their faces and an experience they’ll never forget.

Sunday 19 October was the date chosen for the launch of two innovative events: the first AXtrail Kids and AXtrail of Inclusion both with free admission.

AXtrail Kids was attended by young people between 6 and 16 years old, who joined in races by class / distance, according to the age of the participants. The aim of this initiative was to promote sport and nature to the younger generation, thus attracting new athletes to the sport of trail running.

Nevertheless, it was the AXtrail of Inclusion that most impressed athletes, audience, and even the organisation. The 5 teams in this race, each composed of one participant with reduced mobility and 4 accompanying athletes, left from Coentral and ran 10 km of footpaths, with various types of terrain, climbs, descents, mud, gravel, even crossing the Ribeira de Pêra stream. All this by means of a “Joëlette” wheelchair - a mono-wheel all-terrain chair, designed for people with motor difficulties and supported by 2 to 4 companions (athletes, family, or friends). This was an initiative of Go Outdoors partnering with the brands Floema® and AXtrail®. The support of ARCIL - Association for the Rehabilitation of In Need Citizens of Lousã and NEL - Pédatleta (Leiria's Speleology Nucleus) also contributed to the success of this activity.

During the three days of the event, a Technical Equipment, Handicraft, and Regional Products Fair was held at the Praça da Notabilidade Square, in Castanheira de Pera. The aim was to make it easier for athletes and trail-running lovers to access specific equipment for the sport, to clarify any doubts, and to get personalised advice on the best equipment for each situation. At the same time, the aim was also to share the charms of Serra da Lousã and the Aldeias do Xisto to all participants, giving easy access to regional products and delicacies.