The Portuguese runner will participate for the second time in the Gran Canaria event, highlighting “the atmosphere surrounding the race”
“This year, I will take more risks to be among the best” he assures
The runner-up from the last edition of the Classic category of The North Face Transgrancanaria, Miguel Arsénio, has confirmed his presence in the upcoming race —the third event in the World Trail Majors international circuit—. The race will start on the night of February 23 from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with a finish 126 kilometers later in San Bartolomé de Tirajana.
Arsénio acknowledges that what attracts him most about the Gran Canaria event is “the atmosphere surrounding the race and during it, in addition to the magnificent trails of the island”. In fact, his best memory from last year’s race was the “fantastic atmosphere” at the start in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, as well as the breathtaking landscapes encountered during the competition. “I enjoyed the second part of the race a lot with the passage through Roque Nublo and the wonderful trails”.
Last year, he secured the second position in his debut at The North Face Transgrancanaria. As he explains, the key to winning such a long race is “that everything goes well”, and he admits that in 2023, “perhaps I was too conservative in the first half” of the race, so “this year I will try to take more risks to be among the best”.
“I feel that my preparation for this year is going well, with the National Ultra Championship of Portugal one week before the race. Although there is still some time, I hope to arrive in excellent form,” he admits.
Arsénio, considered the best Portuguese trail runner at the moment, started his career in 2019, but his breakthrough year on the international scene was in 2023. In addition to being the runner-up in the Gran Canaria event, he achieved his biggest international triumph to date by winning the Ultra Pirineu. He was also the champion of two races outside his country: the Epic Trail Costa Daurada and the MaXi Race in France.
With the presence of the Portuguese runner, a rematch of last year’s duel is set as Andreu Simón, the 2023 winner, has also confirmed his presence in Gran Canaria. They will be joined by the American star Jim Walmsley, along with other elite male runners yet to be announced in the coming weeks, all vying for the largest cash prize in the history of the race.
The North Face Transgrancanaria, scheduled from February 21 to 25, is organized by Arista Eventos and is sponsored by the Cabildo de Gran Canaria through Gran Canaria Tourism and Gran Canaria European Island of Sport, 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. The event is also supported by The North Face, Fred. Olsen Express, San Roque University Hospitals, Expomeloneras, 226ERS, Aguas de Teror, and Sonocom Audiovisuales.