In this first edition there will be up to 10 teams of 10 participants that will go through 785 kilometers that separate Roncesvalles from Santiago.  That will be done in six stages that are ending in the following towns: Logroño, Burgos, León, Ponferrada, Sarria and Santiago.

Sponsored by COE (Spanish  Olympic Committee), the relay race will kick off on June 18 in Roncesvalles to end on 24th in Santiago de Compostela.

The Olympic Spirit and the Camino de Santiago go hand in hand to perform the first Pilgrim’s Race in June 2017. “The spirituality and the epic of the Camino de Santiago join the values ​​that Sport and Olympism brings in a unique journey In the world in which everybody can face themselves inwardly “explains Alejandro Blanco, president of the Spanish Olympic Committee (COE) and one of the promoters of this race.

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The scallop shell and the yellow arrow-iconic symbols of the Camino de Santiago- will guide the riders along the Camino Francés, in which the shortest stretch will be 6 kilometers in the mythical ascent of O Cebreiro and the longest section will be about 21 kilometers in Castile lands. Each participant will go across during this challenge an average of 12 kilometers per day.

Throughout the route , the “corregrinos” (“pilgrunner”) – as participants will be called- will always have medical attention and physiotherapy and podiatry services. According to a statement from the organizers, the challenge implies sports, the principles of Olympism, culture and respect for the environment. For this reason, the race is completed with a cultural program after the end of each stage in which participants can taste the  regional gastronomic  suggestion and know the heritage of all the towns and villages on the Camino Francés.

The Pilgrim’s Race is presented as a real challenge in which participants will explore their limits and test values ​​such as fellowship, solidarity and teamwork. “Ultreia” will be the word that the participants have to pronounce on the delivery of each relay. The word ‘Ultreia’ (also ‘ultrella’ or ‘ultreya’) comes from Latin and it means ‘beyond’. It was used by the pilgrims when they met to greet and cheer along the Camino.

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The Olympic spirit will conquer the Camino de Santiago in 2017, a year which has been declared International Year of Tourism by the UN, so it is an exceptional showcase of the Camino  to the world and a unique way to obtain the so-called Compostela. According to the organizers, this first edition is the beginning of great and attractive new editions.

In relation to the comments made in the this post, Camino Travel Center wants to clarify:

1. We do not promote, participate or have any interest in this race.

2. This post is simply informative about the news on the Camino.

Buen Camino!

NOTE. Camino Travel Center does not organise nor sponsors this race.

Anxo Saco