The 9000 participants in the 101 kilometers of La Legión are already traversing the Serranía

The 101 kilometers of La Legión are already underway, and the 9,000 participants are now tackling the first sections of this route that will take them through seven municipalities in the Serranía, crossing the provinces of Cádiz and Málaga. The massive start did not disappoint and was one of the most emotional moments that the runners will experience during these 24 hours, in which they are expected to face numerous difficulties due to adverse weather conditions, especially once night falls and temperatures drop.

A start that this year had a greater time gap between cyclists and walkers to try to keep a greater distance between both groups, which, although part of the same race, experience and tackle it in very different ways.

Before the start, those present observed a minute of silence for the two civil guards who died this Friday after the crash of two patrol boats while chasing a drug-smuggling boat on the coast of Huelva. They also specially dedicated this race to the Civil Guard.

The atmosphere continues to be spectacular in the city of the Tajo, which already during this Friday saw a large presence of runners in its streets dressed in the typical multicolored sports clothing that identified them as participants.

From now on, they will have to face significant challenges such as the final stretches with the well-known climb to the hermitage of Montejaque, around kilometer 83 of the route, or the passages through the villages where the public usually gets involved by cheering on the participants.

Start of the cyclists for the 101 kilometers. / JAVIER FLORES

Stories of Overcoming

This race features numerous stories of overcoming. Runners who have recovered from long illnesses, others who participate for charitable causes, and, to a lesser extent, those who face a personal challenge of such a level that many of us would not be capable of doing. Such is the case of Juan Carlos Trujillo and Cristóbal Ramos, two of the hundred-and-oners who have started, but who do so in wheelchairs.

In the first case, the challenge is compounded by being a deaf person, although neither of the two circumstances poses an impediment to facing his second participation in this legendary race. The excitement overflows on his face and he is eager to start alongside José Manuel Ruiz, who also has a hearing disability and is his inseparable partner in races. "We always go together," they explained.

Juan Carlos Trujillo and José Manuel Ruiz before the start. / Javier Flores

In their physical condition, the greatest difficulty they encounter is when facing uphill sections, although for this they have devised a system that allows their clubmates to help by pushing it.

For his part, Cristóbal Ramos lives his own story of overcoming after suffering a mountain biking accident 13 years ago that left him paralyzed from the waist down. An event that did not prevent him from continuing to practice sports, one of the great passions of his life.

In his case, it is his first participation in the 101, so his only goal is to be able to finish it. For this, he uses a special three-wheeled bike that has pedals adapted to be powered by hands.