Successful participation in a sporting event that included a Vertical Kilometer, Trail, Mini Trail, and hiking through the Sierra de Los Filabres throughout the weekend.
The municipality of Purchena was filled with mountain lovers this weekend thanks to its Media Legua Gruesa (Greasy Half Legua), the oldest race in the Iberian Peninsula. Participants from all eight Andalusian provinces and other provinces in the Valencian Community, Castilla La Mancha, the Region of Murcia, and the Community of Madrid were able to enjoy the splendor of the wonderful Sierra de Los Filabres after weeks of intense rain.
The Vertical Kilometer, which began in the Gevas Ravine and ended at Piedra Juan Felipe (Laroya), was won by Lourdes Heredia of the La Ventanica Club and Serafín Gómez of Los Saltabojas. The latter also climbed to the top of the rankings with Juan Chacón and Beatriz Rubio, an independent runner, in the 12-kilometer Mini Trail. In the Trail category, Yeray Hernández of the Atarfe Athletics and Mountaineering Club and Ewelina Bednazczky of the Aguilera Sports Club won the Media Legua Gruesa with record times.
This major sporting event, funded by the Purchena City Council, the Almería Provincial Council, and the Andalusian Mountain Federation, is yet another opportunity to showcase every corner of the province of Almería. On this occasion, more than 400 participants from across Spain were able to enjoy the unique setting of the Sierra de Los Filabres.
The mayor of the municipality, José Luis Serrano, thanked everyone who made it possible: «Without the selfless work of so many residents, it would be impossible to host an event of this caliber. Juan Miguel Merlos, José Chacón, the sports clubs, the dozens of volunteers, and the town’s bars are some of the key elements of the Purchena Half League.»
In this regard, the mayor added that «the consolidation of this event allows us to continue considering new developments for future editions that will help us grow, both in terms of the number of participants and public recognition. We will work to make the Media Legua a success in the future.»