2:09 Events Limited

Run Azores, San Miguel Island, Azores

Date: 9-11, October 2024

Run Azores is a unique running challenge located on the beautiful Portuguese island of Sao Miguel, the main island in the Azores archipelago in the North Atlantic.  The Challenge takes in three races on three consecutive days covering a total distance of 42K and is run over a mix of city streets, volcanic paths and forest trails.  Run Azores is more than just a series of races, it's a chance to explore and experience these remarkable volcanic islands at ground level while enjoying a luxurious …

Run Azores is a unique running challenge located on the beautiful Portuguese island of Sao Miguel, the main island in the Azores archipelago in the North Atlantic. 

The Challenge takes in three races on three consecutive days covering a total distance of 42K and is run over a mix of city streets, volcanic paths and forest trails. 

Run Azores is more than just a series of races, it's a chance to explore and experience these remarkable volcanic islands at ground level while enjoying a luxurious island holiday.

The Azores

The Azores are a series of islands in the middle of the Atlantic, sitting midway between the continents of Europe and North America with Portugal 1360 km to the east, the nearest country and landmass. 

Although sailors had passed the islands for years, they weren't settled by the Portuguese until the 15th century. There are nine major Azorean islands and an islet cluster, in three main groups in the archipelago stretching to over 600 km from east to west. These are Flores and Corvo to the west, Carciiosa, Terceira, Sao Jorge, Pico and Faial in the centre and Sao Miguel, Santa Maria and the Formigas reef to the east.  All the islands have volcanic origins although most have had no recorded activity since the islands were settled. Although it may not appear it at first sight, if measured from their base at the bottom of the ocean to their peaks, the Azores actually has some of the tallest mountains on the planet with Mount Pico on the island of Pico standing as the highest point in Portugal, at 2,351 m (7,713 ft) above sea level.

The climate of the Azores is very mild for such a northerly location, being influenced by its distance from the continents and by the passing  Gulf Stream. Due to the marine influence, temperatures remain mild year-round. Daytime temperatures normally fluctuate between 16 °C (61 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F) depending on the season. Temperatures above 30 °C (86 °F) or below 3 °C (37 °F) are unknown in the major population centres and we would expect the temperature to be around 20 °C  in September for Run Azores. One caveat with the weather is the potential for rain and cloud which are quite frequent visitors to the islands. 

A number of major European and North American cities now have direct flights into the Azores with flight times ranging from three to five hours. Tourism is one of the key industries for the islands with tourists flocking to the Azores to experience the outdoor life, hiking and trekking in the hills, surfing and sailing around the coast or fishing and whale watching further offshore. 

Although running is still in its infancy, a few of the islands have well-established trail races aimed at the local population but Run Azores will be the first major international running event on Sao Miguel.

The Races

Run Azores Challenge is a three-race concept taking place over three days in three different on the island of Sao Miguel.

Wednesday October 9 - Ponta Delgada 5K 

This is a gentle introduction to your time in the Azores with an early evening out-and-back 5K along the harbourside of Sao Miguel's capital city. It's a fast, flat course that starts and finishes a short walk from the OCTANT hotel.

ROUTE MAP 

Thursday October 10 - Serra Tronqueira 16K

It's an early start today we take a coach to the start of this point-to-point race along a secluded forest trail to the east of the island. The first five kilometres climb steadily upwards before the course flattens and tips gently down for a long fast finish in to the town of Nordeste. The majority of the route is run on hard-packed dirt trails with the final few kilometres on the road.

ROUTE MAP

Friday October 11 - Volcano 19k

The Challenge finishes with a beautiful run. You will struggle to find a more picturesque course than today's 19k run around the Sete Cidades lagoon, the huge crater in the midst of an extinct volcano on the west of the island. The up-and-down-route circles around the top rim of the volcano before descending down to the town at its centre and finishing beside the lagoon.

ROUTE MAP

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