Frequently asked questions

The event features five races with varying distances and elevations: Whalers' Great Route: Details about the elevation and aid stations are specified on the race map. Ultra Blue Island: Information about the elevation gain and aid station locations can be found on the race map. Coast to Coast: The race map provides insights into the elevation profile and aid stations. Ten Volcanoes: Elevation and aid station details are available on the race map. Family Race: 11 km. The race map includes information on elevation and aid stations. For cut-off times and other important information, please refer to the specific details provided for each race.

All races have technical difficulties and include walking trails with levadas (water channel), steps, dirt, mud, stones, pastures, and roads. Some tracks can be very wet.

The Bib must be collected at the Horta market on May 5th from 2pm to 8pm and May 6th from 9h30 am to 8pm. Each runner must collect your own BIB. Exceptional cases may be evaluated by our crew in the secretariat.

You can edit the title from the Settings tab in the app. If you don’t want to display the title, simply disable the Title under “Info to Display”.

No, but we strongly advise that you do a regular check up and that you don't run if you are not feeling well or fit for the race. You must sign a disclaimer certifying that it is your full responsibility to ensure, previously to the registration, the status of your physical fitness for that activity. If you prefer, you can sign it before collecting the BIB to speed up the process. Here is the form.

Yes, we selected some gear that are mandatory to make sure you are safe in case of minor accidents, change of weather and the specifics of the terrain. We also make a list of some recommended gears for the race. You can find both lists here.

It’s very difficult. On the islands where Azores Trail Run® races are set there are very few or none sports shops and with very few items. You won’t find gears, nor even gels and bars. If you forget something important, we recommend that you talk to other runners to try to borrow some spare material.

Certainly not ;-). In the route, you will find an aid station every 10 to 15 km. At this station you will find some food and beverages and friendly people to help you. But, you must take with you a flask with water (that can be refilled in the stations) and some energy supply (gel or bar) for emergencies and to keep you hydrated and in good condition during the race. You need to bring your bars and gels because they are very difficult to find on the island.

If you are going to run, you can take the event bus transfer in Horta Downtown for your start line. The meeting point and the schedule you can find here on the rules . The 65k race doesn’t have a transfer because the race starts in the city. Be aware that: The bus will depart on the scheduled time. Be there in time. You can only take the bus for the startline of your race. There won’t be transfers from one startline to another. You must not leave anything on the bus. There will be a van on the startline for you bag with a change of clothes. The buses depart only from the city. If you are staying outside of Horta, you must arrange transfers with your hotel or accommodation, taxi or touristic companies or rent a car. The transfers are for runners only. Followers, friends, coaches must provide their own transportation. We recommend that you talk to other runners' followers for car sharing.

Yes, if you are a runner, you can take one of the buses that depart every hour, or when the buses are full, from the finish line to Horta Downtown. The buses are exclusive for runners. Followers must provide their own transportation.

External assistance to the athlete is allowed by his personal assistance team (ex: coach, friend, etc) only in the aid stations defined by the organization.

Well, we make everything we can so that won’t happen. The trails are marked with red and yellow flags. You should spot at least one of them every step of the trail. If you don’t see one in a while, it’s because you got the wrong way. Hike back until you find the flags again.

We always recommend that you drop the race at any Aid Station. There you can have shelter, food, beverages and the assistance of our crew. Also, all Aid Stations are reachable by car, so it’s easier and faster to pick you up. But, if you need to drop the race in the middle of the route, call us to the emergency phone you can find at your BIB and be sure to keep you warm and hydrated (use the emergency blanket and your jacket).

Yes! And we recommend you do it because it can be very cold in the end. Take an identified bag with a change of clothes for the startline of your race. There you can drop it with our crew van and pick it up at the finish line. Be aware that there won’t be showers at the finish line, but you can jump in the ocean.

Yes, you can. And almost everyone walks at some point :) Trail running is more about experiencing and enjoying your surroundings. Just remember that many races have “Cut Off” times. Cut off times can be either a maximum amount of time you are given to finish the course or certain points in the course you have to make it to within a given amount of time. You can check the “Cut offs” of your race here.

Yes, you can! T-shirts, hoodies, backpacks and other nice stuff will be on sale near the market and at the finish line. Come check them out. Take money or your Credit Card with you, if you can.

Yes, but we ask that you keep the volume down at a safe level so that you can hear other runners or instructions from event personnel. We also ask that you remove them, or, at the very least, remove one ear bud when you are coming to aid stations, in a large crowd or on more technical or difficult sections of the course. The important thing is paying attention to everyone's safety and maintaining basic race etiquette with other runners.