Guadiana race links Algarve and Spain across international bridge

Runners will once again cross from Portugal into Spain on foot when the X Milhas do Guadiana returns on Sunday, November 8 for its 31^st edition.

The cross-border race starts at Praça Marquês de Pombal in Vila Real de Santo António and finishes at Plaza de la Ribera in Ayamonte, covering an official distance of 10 miles – 16.09 kilometres.

One of the highlights of the route is the crossing of the Guadiana International Bridge, a defining feature of the race since its first edition in 1992, which marked the construction of the bridge linking the Algarve and neighbouring Andalusia.

The main race gets under way at 10am Portuguese time and is open to federated and amateur runners born in 2008 or earlier. Participation is capped at 1,000 athletes.

At 10.15am, younger runners will also get their turn with the X Milhas Kids, aimed at children born between 2016 and 2021.

The main event will feature individual men’s and women’s classifications, age categories and team standings, with trophies for the top three overall finishers in both categories, the top three in each age group and the five leading teams.

Water stations will be available at kilometres 5, 10 and 13, as well as at the finish line, while medical assistance will be provided at the start, along the route and at the finish.

Entries open until November 5

Registration costs €10 per runner and must be completed online by 11.59pm on November 5.

Places will be allocated in order of registration, and no entries will be accepted after the deadline or on race day.

In Portugal, race numbers can be collected on November 7 from 3pm to 6pm at the headquarters of Grupo Desportivo Pic-Nic.

They can also be picked up on the race morning between 8.30am and 9.30am at Praça Marquês de Pombal.

The event is organised by the joint sports commission of Vila Real de Santo António, Castro Marim and Ayamonte, alongside Grupo Desportivo Pic-Nic and the Patronato Municipal de Desporto de Ayamonte.

The race forms part of the wider sporting cooperation promoted by the Eurocity of the Guadiana, bringing the three neighbouring municipalities together through cross-border events.