VERTICAL KILOMETER CANILLO - Saturday, 20 June 2009
From the installations of the Canillo Cable Car at 1,530 meters to Pic de Maians at 2,466 meters, this VK has a positive difference in altitude of 935 meters over 3.8 kilometers.
Time trial format (against the clock) with individual start each 30” from the bottom of Canillo, which is located a few meters from the cable car. The route starts off in an ascent along a path with a sharp slope at the beginning, with the gradient becoming more gentle towards the Forn at 1,900 meters. From there it moves into wider terrain but with a more marked gradient, which goes through forests to the highest part of the Canillo sector, the Pic de Maians, where the VK finish line is located.
The participants can take the chair lifts for a comfortable descent back down to the starting point. Those accompanying them may also use the same installations free of charge in order to see the start, to get to one of the check points to cheer on their respective colleagues and then on up to the top to see the finish.
The current record holders are Kilian Jornet with a time of 37'17" (2007) and Stephanie Jimenez with a time of 45'28" (2008).
This is a high mountain race covering a distance of 16.5 kilometers with a positive difference in altitude of 1,350 metros with an in-line start from Canillo at 1,530 meters and a finish line at Pic de Maians at 2,466 meters. This is the same finish line as that for the VK.
The route of the race is very varied and there are some very different sections. After leaving Canillo the runners go toward Gall de Bosc. From there, there is a sharp ascent to an amazing path which leads to Pla de Riba Escorxada at 2,100 meters and further on there is a good path which goes as far as Pla de Espiolets. The higher part of the route leaves the thick forests and continues through a high mountain area taking some paths through some meadows with good panoramic views, passing through Pla de les Pedres, the lake at Cubil, the mountain passes of Enradort and Serrat de la Garriga before eventually reaching Pic de Maians.
For the descent, the participants can take the chair lifts and the cable car to reach Canillo more comfortably. Those accompanying the competitors will also be allowed to use these installations free of charge to allow them to see the start, then reach the check points to cheer on the competitors before going to the summit to see the finish.
The current record holders are Stephanie Jimenez with a time of 1:56:32 (2008) and Agustí Roc with a time of 1:35:16 (2008).
Time trial format (against the clock) with individual start each 30” from the bottom of Canillo, which is located a few meters from the cable car. The route starts off in an ascent along a path with a sharp slope at the beginning, with the gradient becoming more gentle towards the Forn at 1,900 meters. From there it moves into wider terrain but with a more marked gradient, which goes through forests to the highest part of the Canillo sector, the Pic de Maians, where the VK finish line is located.
Program
The route of the race is very varied and there are some very different sections. After leaving Canillo the runners go toward Gall de Bosc. From there, there is a sharp ascent to an amazing path which leads to Pla de Riba Escorxada at 2,100 meters and further on there is a good path which goes as far as Pla de Espiolets. The higher part of the route leaves the thick forests and continues through a high mountain area taking some paths through some meadows with good panoramic views, passing through Pla de les Pedres, the lake at Cubil, the mountain passes of Enradort and Serrat de la Garriga before eventually reaching Pic de Maians.
