More than a hundred runners faced the 20 and 11.5 km of the Transajaches Trail in Yaiza this Saturday, under extreme heat and steep gradients. Tanausú Cabrera (1:42:01) and Cecilia Martín (2:55:03) were the fastest in the main distance.
The Natural Monument of Los Ajaches witnessed one of the most demanding mountain races on the island's calendar this Saturday. The Transajaches Trail, returning strongly after the pandemic break, brought together over a hundred athletes ready to challenge the sun and the volcanic terrain of southern Lanzarote.
Absolute dominance in the 20 kilometres
Tanausú Cabrera took victory in the main event with a time of 1:42:01 hours. The runner finished more than seven minutes ahead of second-placed Rubén Rodríguez, and nearly eleven minutes ahead of Andrés Santana, who completed the podium. The toughness of the course, with continuous elevation changes and stifling heat, did not prevent the three from finishing in under one hour and forty-five minutes.
In the women's category, Cecilia Martín was the only entrant in the 20 km, but her performance did not go unnoticed. She crossed the finish line in 2:55:03 hours and took home the trophy and the applause of the crowd gathered in the Plaza de San Marcial de Femés. “It was an incredible experience, although the heat was intense,” the runner stated at the end of the race.
The 11.5 kilometres, a battle against the clock
The shorter distance also had its excitement. Eutimio Betancor won with a time of 55:55 minutes, closely followed by Dani García (56:41) and Agoney Delgado (59:06). All three managed to finish in under an hour, something only two participants achieved last year. “Mental preparation is key; if the mind fails, the legs don’t respond,” Betancor explained after receiving his prize.
In the women's race, local runner Elizabet Perdomo took the win with a time of 1:10:07 hours. Laura Mulcahy (1:11:40) and Loreto Gargallo (1:18:16) completed the podium. Perdomo, who runs at home, acknowledged that “knowing the terrain helps, but the heat doesn’t forgive anyone.”
Sporting celebration and family atmosphere
The day was not just for adults. In the morning, dozens of children competed in short distances alongside the inclusive park of Femés Atrás. There were races by age group, and at the end, a foam party capped off the morning. “It’s great to see the little ones enjoying outdoor sports,” commented a father as the kids ran around amidst bubbles.
The trophy presentation was attended by the first deputy mayor of Yaiza, Daniel Medina; the councillor for Dynamic Events, Freya Finch; the sports councillor of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Juan Monzón; and the president of the Femés Activo Association, Miguel Ángel Rodríguez. They all agreed that the Transajaches Trail is “a must-attend event” for island sports.
The event, framed within the patronal festivities of San Marcial de Rubicón, returned strongly after the 2019 edition was marked by the pandemic. The Yaiza City Council maintains a robust sports calendar, with running, trail and other disciplines throughout the year. For trail enthusiasts, the Transajaches Trail is consolidating as one of the toughest and most beautiful races in Lanzarote.
