The challenge is on! Who will be the first to get to the top of Mount Papoutsa and down again along a tough course in the final event of the five-race 2015 La Sportiva Mountain Madness trail running series?

 

The race will start at 10 am on November 15 in the village of Agios Konstantinos below Mounta Papoutsa over a course comprising mostly single-track trail totalling about 13km in length.

This year, downhill runners will also get a chance to display their skills as the challenge will be not only to ascend the 400 metres to the top of the peak -- over a distance of about 6.5km -- but to get back down again to the finish line in the village.

Be aware that the last 1.3km to the top of the mountain (and the same distance on the downward journey) comprises very rough, technical trail, with some rock scrambling involved. Hardy trail shoes such as the La Sportiva Raptor or Bushido are recommended. These are available at GET OUT outdoor store in Nicosia.

At 1554 metres, Mount Papoutsa is one of Cyprus's few stand-alone peaks -- and one of its least-explored.
It has no radio towers, military camps, geodesic domes or ugly structures on its peak. Just a simple shrine and a flagpole.

Note that the route is an out-and-back course -- ie you come back the same way that you went up (but much quicker!)
 

ENTRIES: Online pre-entries are now open (see button under the Mountain Madness series http://www.cyprustrailrunners.com/#!enter-here/cu6h).  Enter now but pay at registration on race day. Entries will also be taken on the day.

 

RACE INFO: Registration is from 8.30 am at the cafe at the entrance to Agios Konstantinos on race day. Tea and coffee will be on sale at the cafe, where there are also toilets. Entry fee is 10 euros.

 

The race will also start and finish outside the cafe. Race briefing is at 9.40 and the race starts is at 10am.

 

We plan to have a checkpoint/aid station at the 5km mark, just before the very steep ascent to the top of the mountain. Runners can also make use of the aid station on their way up and down again.

 

Runners must reach the very top of the mountain and make contact with the checkpoint person to ensure their name is checked off.

 

While on the trails, runners are free to cut switchbacks but be aware that shorter is not necessarily faster, depending on your rock scrambling skills and the terrain.

 

A lunch comprising traditional Cypriot dishes will be available from the Agios Konstantinos cafe at very reasonable price after prizegiving.

 

PRIZES AND SURPRISES

The first man and first woman home will each win a stylish and colourful Buff® multi-functional headwear donated by the GET OUT adventure sports store in Nicosia.

The last runner home will receive the Lanterne Rouge bubbly, in the tradition of the Tour de France.

All race FINISHERS will receive a custom-made Mountain Madness multi-functional Buff® headgear.

We will also have our popular lucky draw prizes -- all donations welcome :)

 

Since this is the end of the series, we will also announce the overall winners in the male and female categories, who will each receive a specialist pair of Italian brand La Sportiva mountain running® shoes, courtesy GET OUT adventure store.

We will also award prizes to those who came second and third in the series (male and female) as well as to those who completed all five events of the series.

 

NB because the race is mainly along established hiking trails, we will not be putting up many markings along the route.

 

FAMILY FUN RUN

This will take place along a 4km trail that will start soon after the Vertical Challenge race gets under way. Entry is free and one and all, big and small, are welcome.

 

More information and pictures on our Facebook page, Cyprus Trail Runners 

https://www.facebook.com/events/1072816482731218/