Water, mud, overcoming obstacles, and above all, lots of fun, have been part of the most bestial race, which has allowed 800 people from 15 nationalities to complete this Saturday, August 24, a route through volcanic land, in the Lanzarote municipality of Yaiza. The V Lanzarote Bestial Race K10 Xtreme Yaiza has been a qualifier for both the 1st Spanish Obstacle Course Championship AOCO, which is held in Arucas, Gran Canaria, and the 10th World Championship in California, United States.
From the moments before the start, where the runners were already facing the first obstacles, the great expectation of the participants and their desire to start the course was noticeable, in an edition that, as commented by the Councilor for Sports of Yaiza, Ángel Lago, "has broken the forecasts with greater participation and influx of public." "The Bestial is a giant that has no ceiling and reaches every corner of the world," added the councilor, who was also present at the awards ceremony. Also present were the Councilor for Sports of the Cabildo de Lanzarote, Juan Monzón González, and Daniel Medina, Councilor for Tourism of Yaiza, as well as representatives of other private and social entities that have collaborated with the event.
During the race, exciting moments were experienced, in which the runners received encouragement from attendees and volunteers to face some of the challenges posed. In this sense, the final combo stood out, just before the finish line, where family, friends, and the odd pet welcomed the participants.
Nature is one of the elements that distinguishes this Obstacle Course Race (OCR) in Lanzarote from other national and international events. The characteristics of this unique race mean that it is not only a sporting activity, which promotes endurance and the spirit of overcoming obstacles, but also allows the enjoyment of natural beauty and the promotion of the need to protect the environment. The island has also established itself in the sporting field as a privileged destination, where weather conditions allow events to be held throughout the year.
As explained by Águeda Cedrés, Councilor for the Environment of Yaiza, Lanzarote has today been "the protagonist of one of the best events in the world." "The great attraction of the event is precisely that it takes place in a unique volcanic natural environment, which makes the municipality of Yaiza great," she added and informed that the corporation wanted to leave its mark with the recycling containers installed, to raise awareness about the importance of caring for the environment.
Provisional results
Fun, culture, sport, tourism, and nature are the elements that came together in this qualifying race, which has been the third of the Bestial Race Series 2024 Naviera Armas Trasmediterránea, in the Canary Islands.
10% of the participants in this event in Lanzarote competed in the professional Elite and Starter categories, which follow the OSO regulations (Obligation to overcome the obstacle). In these two modalities, the results are:
Elite Category : Maru Berradia Bouajaj and Jessica Velasco Ruiz
Starter Category: David Rodríguez Corona and Gara Hernández Salazar
80% of the participants joined the most fun modalities, whose routes were overcome in groups or as a couple: Trex and Hell. In addition, as a novelty for 2024, aimed especially at people who are starting in this discipline, the 3K Fun modality was established, in which 10% registered. The results are:
Trex Category: José Raúl Martín Melián and Clara Llucía Baya
Hell Category: Alejandro Rodríguez Martín and Candy Rodríguez Serfati
3k Fun Category: Miguel Riveiro Piñeiro and Nerea Del Toro Bustos
The V Lanzarote Bestial Race K10 Xtreme Yaiza thanks, once again, the essential work of the sixty volunteers who, both from the island and from other places in the Canary Islands, were in charge of supervising the different tests and supporting the runners as necessary. In addition, the organization highlights the fair play and the spirit of overcoming obstacles of the participants, who are the heart of all the Bestial Race Series events. After this race on the Island of Volcanoes, it will be the turn of the Bestial Race El Secreto de El Pinar, on October 26, in El Hierro.
Sustainability and respect for the environment
The celebration of this obstacle course race in Lanzarote has once again demonstrated that sport is a tool for disseminating sustainability and the defense and respect of the environment. All participants had a bestial kit, with an ecological bag and t-shirt. The organization encouraged runners to bring their own silicone cups, which allowed reducing cups and plastic bottles in the event. The V Lanzarote Bestial Race K10 Xtreme Yaiza also had a waste collection and selective recycling system specifically for today.
On the other hand, the initiative has also opted for the local economy and talent and has created a collection of exclusive sustainable accessories, designed by FTVStudio, which, in the case of Lanzarote, has created a very special fanny pack.