Getting your race right:

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO SIGN UP.

MAKE OUR JOB EASIER IN THE DOCTOR’S CERTIFICATE SECTION.

Remember to come and get your number as soon as possible.
Numbers are being distributed from Friday between 5pm and 8pm.
Your number can be posted to you up until 20 June (to reduce the risk of it being delivered late in the post) by sending us a stamped addressed envelope.

Advice from GABI ETXART:

  Founder of the CRETES race and responsible for its organisation.
  Organiser of road races for 35 consecutive years
  2.5 hours in the marathon of ‘75
  Winner of the first CRETES race.
  Winner of several mountain races.
  President of the Athlétisme 64 committee from ‘81 to ‘89
  President of non-stadium races for 10 years.  
 

No special preparation for the mountain novices.
This advice is of course directed at neophytes, that is, those who have never, or hardly ever, run a mountain race.

In fact, every year many people discover together the mountain race: CRETES DU PAYS BASQUE.

Over the last 3 or 4 years, most of the finishing problems have come about due to overtraining during the weeks or even the days preceding the race. Be sure not to make this mistake.

It takes knowledge of the specific efforts involved (even the specific route involved) to run a mountain race, weather and geographical location allow it. It is not the day to aim for a personal best.

 

The secret is not to “burn yourself out” neither in the days leading up to the race nor during the first section of the route.

The basic difference between preparing for a marathon or a half marathon is that not everyone has a mountain-race route near to where they live; whereas most runners can go for a run on a macadam route right on their doorstep, and quite easily find a training route with distance bearings and timing.

So none of this specific training that some CRETES neophytes have described to me in the past, with their training sessions in the last weeks before the race consisting of running up slopes worthy of the most decorated mountaineers. The result is often conclusive: a sporting disappointment, or even feeling faint: all of which is quickly forgotten though, due to the fun atmosphere of the CRETES race.

Regular training by doing your usual “half” or even your “15 kilometres” will suffice.

Do not try to dominate the mountain, try to work with it instead.
 

Some bearings:

The 27 km CRETES race can be done in the same time as 35 km of a marathon on flat ground.

The 19 km CRETES race can be done in the same time as 25 km of a marathon on flat ground.

The non-ranking 7 km race is aimed at the categories of younger runners who wish to sample mountain racing. It is almost like an initiation, and in beautiful surroundings. The 7 km race is non-ranking so as to avoid any “racing for the gold medal”. It is rather like an introduction to mountain racing for adults.

You should, however, be in excellent physical condition and choose the right distance depending on your objectives: having fun or performing – both if possible, according to your physical condition and your mentality. Plus, you should always bear in mind that next year there will always be another CRETES race.

Some useful tips for the day of the race:

  A ) choose your race according to your fitness.
  B) pace yourself right up to the summit of the MONDARAIN, regardless of the distance you have chosen to run.
  C) if the weather is very hot only drink water until you reach the summit of the MONDARIAN to avoid overheating due to consuming too much sugar: orange, dried fruit etc. After that point you should enjoy your refreshment (refreshment at the top of the MONDARIAN becomes indispensable, but should not be over-done, because there are refreshments every 10 or 15 minutes, even less for some.
 

  fruit or oranges, there is a tea stand “hot tea” (highly recommended in all weather) at the refreshment stop “pausa leku”: GAINEKO BORDA hut.
 

We hope that everyone has a great CRETES race.