Interviews with the Female Winners of UTA

We talked to the former female winners of UTA and found out what changed after the victory for them, as well as the specifics of the tracks.

And they also gave recommendations to next participants!

 

CÁRMEN PIRES (2012)

Q: What distinguishes the Trilhos dos Abutres from other national races?

A: The Trilhos dos Abutres distinguish themselves from the other races by their excellent organization and the unique landscapes that we witness every km.

Q: What has changed for you after the victory at the Trilhos dos Abutres?

A: My victory at the Trilhos dos Abutres was the incentive to continue and always want more and more. It was a great victory that made me very happy and proud.

Q: What would you recommend to those who will participate in the Trilhos dos Abutres?

A: I recommend to those who participate for the first time that enjoy the beauty of the course and have a lot of fun. For besides the objectives of each one, the sport is for all and must be always carried with a smile.

Q: Which athlete do you want to keep up with at 2019TWC?

A: I want to accompany all Portuguese athletes and vibrate with each one of them, because everyone deserves our support for their work and dedication.

Q: How do you see all this mediatism around the Trilhos dos Abutres resulting from the 2019TWC organization?

A: All this mediatism is very healthy, in the way in which it makes known what our trails have the best.

Q: Do you think that Portugal has exceptional conditions for the trail running? Why?

A: Portugal has all the conditions to receive athletes from all over the World, because the beauty of our mountains and the sympathy of our people is surprisingly incredible.

 

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ESTER ALVES (2014/ 2015)

Q: What distinguishes the Trilhos dos Abutres from other national races?

A: The technicity of the race: roots, river, rails with demanding slope. From waterfalls, wetlands and rolling rock. The landscape pays off.

 

 

Q: What has changed for you after the victory at the Trilhos dos Abutres?

A: Winning the Abutres and other races in Portugal and Spain was a sequence of dedication and general motivation around the trail running.

I did many marathons in Spain and this made me more confident to compete anywhere because the competition out there is very demanding. After winning the Abutres it only gave me more motivation to continue fighting for other challenges.

 

Q: What would you recommend to those who will participate in the Trilhos dos Abutres?

A: A lot of preparation in technical trails and a lot of muscular reinforcement, because it is a race with marked difference and requires a lot of muscle strength.

 

 

Q: What is the specificity of your training for the Trilhos dos Abutres?

A: I always did a specific training for the Trilhos dos Abutres. Training in the area of ​​the race, in the Serra da Lousã, above all.

 

Q: The victory that more challenge gave you?

A: All the victories are fabulous because they involve preparation and total delivery … from 250km to marathons, all the victories have made me grow and return home with a sense of mission accomplished.

 

Q: Who is your reference on the trail?

A: Nuria Picas: spanish, runner, mother, athlete. She suffered an injury and remained active. She returned 2 years later to the competition and won one of the most emblematic competitions in the world: UTMB. Claw and persistence.

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LUCINDA SOUSA (2016)

Q: What distinguishes the Trilhos dos Abutres from other national races?

A: I consider that the Trilhos dos Abutres are distinguished essentially by three reasons:

– at the organizational level, it is a race that is on the threshold of great international races;

– the trails have a very specific character, in one of the best regions at national level for the practice of the sport;

– support and public involvement in the event.

 

Q: What has changed for you after the victory at the Trilhos dos Abutres?

A: I cannot talk about the fact that winning the Abutres had changed anything in my career as an athlete. However, winning a race like the Abutres is always a reason for great satisfaction and encouragement to continue working. A joy!

 

Q: What would you recommend to those who will participate in the Trilhos dos Abutres?

A: Trilhos dos Abutres cannot be considered for beginners, so it requires a specific preparation given the great muscular requirement.

 

Q: Do you think that by playing at home, the Portuguese team has an advantage over opponents? Why?

A: Given the level of performance and experience of the participating athletes as well as the fact that most of the selections come to recognize the trail, I consider there are no significant advantages.

 

Q: What advantages do you see for the national trail to organize the next TWC on Portuguese soil?

A: I believe there are many advantages, namely:

– raise awareness of the potential of a country and a region Internationally;

– to enable close contact among world-class athletes to those who are passionate about the sport;

– give visibility to the modality at national level;

– to provide greater support to the national team.

 

Q: What is your dream race?

A: I do not consider to have a specific dream race, but to repeat some races that gave me more pleasure, with Abutres being one of them, as well as other new races in which I would like to participate.

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Main sponsor:
Berg Outdoor

 

2019TWC

“You make it EPIC”

by Cream Agency