Sasa Torkar and Alejandro Díaz win in the Promo, and Elvira Borring and Francisco Javier Tejonero in the Youth
Polish runner Katarzyna Solinska and Spanish athlete Antonio Martínez emerged victorious this Thursday in The North Face Transgrancanaria Starter race. American Brittany Charboneau and Swiss Flavia Stutz secured second and third place, respectively, while in the men’s category, Canary Islander Yoel de Paz and Anartz Artola claimed victory. In the Promo race, covering 12 kilometers, Sasa Torkar and Alejandro Díaz took the top spots, whereas in the Youth category, Elvira Borring and Francisco Javier Tejonero were the winners.
On a sunny day, the Starter race began at 10:30 this morning from Santiago de Tunte square in San Bartolomé de Tirajana. After leaving the picturesque town center, participants faced the challenging ascent of La Plata to reach the summit 21.4 kilometers later, with nearly 1,430 meters of positive elevation gain, ultimately finishing in Tejeda. Solinska claimed her third victory in the Gran Canaria event, having previously won the Marathon in 2019 and the Vertical Kilometer El Gigante in 2023. She dominated the race at every checkpoint, crossing the finish line in Tejeda with a time of 02:18:24, nearly four minutes ahead of second-place Charboneau (02:22:08), and with a six-minute lead over Swiss runner Flavia Stutz (02:24:12). The first Canary Islander to finish was Verónica Suárez (02:52:03), followed by Sheila Falcón (03:00:36) and María Cabrera (03:03:39).
Female Classification
1. Katarzyna Solinska – Poland, (02:18:24)
2. Brittany Charboneau – United States (02:22:08)
3. Flavia Stutz – Switzerland (02:24:12)
4. Petra Kindlund – Sweden (02:37:26)
5. Helana Wallin – Sweden (02:43:11)
Canary Islander Classification
1. Verónica Suárez – 02:52:03
2. Sheila Falcón – 03:00:36
3. María Cabrera – 03:03:39
4. Anselma Lima – 03:03:51
5. Pauline Katz – 03:10:45
In the men’s category, Alicante’s Antonio Martínez secured victory with a time of 01:52:01, although he was closely followed by Yoel de Paz from La Palma, who finished second just over two minutes later (01:54:23). Anartz Artola from the summit village secured third place (01:55:57), followed by Josep Miret (02:00:55) and Diego Menéndez (02:01:24) with a difference of about 30 seconds. Among the Canarian participants, Santiago Castellano from Arista Pro Team finished second with 02:03:43, and Marco Rodríguez finished third (02:04:20).
Male Classification
1. Antonio Martínez – Spain (01:52:01)
2. Yoel de Paz – Spain (01:54:23)
3. Anartz Artola – Spain (01:55:57)
4. Josep Miret – Spain (02:00:55)
5. Diego Menéndez – Spain (02:01:24)
Canary Islander Classification
1. Yoel de Paz – (01:54:23)
2. Santiago Castellano – (02:03:43)
3. Marco Rodríguez – (02:04:20)
4. Víctor Manuel Pestano – (02:15:10)
5. Daniel Eliecer Sosa – (02:16:32)
The summit village also hosted the finish line for the Promo and Youth races, covering 12 kilometers and approximately 730 meters of positive elevation gain after starting from Artenara. As stated by the mayor, Francisco Perera, “for the municipality, it is a pride once again to have The North Face Transgrancanaria through the streets of the village. Additionally, today we have had an excellent day for the races, where the runners shine, and what better place for the finish line photo than Tejeda, a town immersed in trail running all year round from every angle, but undoubtedly, these days we are on the map of this sport worldwide.”
The victories in the women’s category went to Slovenian Sasa Torkar (01:28:34), followed by Finnish Sinna Pirinen (01:34:53) and Spanish Coraima Rodríguez (01:41:03).
Female Classification
1. Sasa Torkar – Slovenia (01:28:34)
2. Sinna Pirinen – Finland (01:34:53)
3. Coraima Rodríguez – Spain (01:41:03)
4. Lene Heldal – Norway (01:44:34)
5. Auxibel Vega – Spain (01:46:36)
In the men’s category, Alejandro Díaz claimed victory (01:04:29), ahead of David Recco (01:04:51) and Sergi Reurer (01:09:54).
Male Classification
1. Alejandro Díaz – Spain (01:04:29)
2. David Recco – Spain (01:04:51)
3. Sergi Reurer – Spain (01:09:54)
4. Juan Miguel García – Spain (01:13:28)
5. Francisco Rodríguez – Spain (01:14:17)
Regarding the Youth race, which also started from Artenara to Tejeda, victory went to Francisco Javier Tejonero (01:07:03), followed by Javier Moreno (01:13:28) and José Antonio Álvarez (01:23:35). Elvira Borring won in the females (02:55:35)
Youth Male Classification
1. Francisco Javier Tejonero – 01:07:03
2. Javier Moreno – 01:13:28
3. José Antonio Álvarez – (01:23:35)
4. David Castellano – (01:33:52)
5. Alejandro Betancor – (01:53:55)
6. Hugo Mett – (01:55:03)
Youth Female Classification
- Elvira Borring – (02:55:35)
Additionally, the Family race took place on Thursday, following the same route as the Promo and Youth races. This race, with a more leisurely character, allows families to enjoy a day in the mountains with the youngest members of the household.
The North Face Transgrancanaria doesn’t stop, and tomorrow it returns to Tejeda with the Marathon starting at 09:30 with over a thousand runners from fifty countries, boasting an impressive lineup of athletes. Later in the evening, at 23:59, the competition moves to Las Canteras beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to once again host one of the most iconic starts in the world of trail running, with around 800 participants facing a 128-kilometer journey across the island to Maspalomas.
The North Face Transgrancanaria is an event organized by Arista Eventos held between February 21st and 25th of this year. It is sponsored by the Gran Canaria Island Council through Gran Canaria Tourism and the Insular Institute of Sports; the Government of the Canary Islands with Canary Islands Latitude of Life; Maspalomas Costa Canaria; the Municipal Sports Institute of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria; and the Tejeda City Council. Additionally, it is supported by companies such as The North Face, San Roque University Hospitals, Fred. Olsen Express, 226ERS, Sonocom Audiovisuals, Lopesan Hotel Group, Expomeloneras, and Teror Waters.
