A race with a 'home killer' section that leads to the sky

GironaEnjoying an exceptional panoramic view and being able to glimpse, in a 360-degree turn, the Girona plain, the Medes Islands, the Montgrí massif, the Pyrenees, Montseny, the Rocacorba mountain range, and the Guilleries mountains is well worth the effort required for the now legendary Subida a los Ángeles (Ascent to the Angels), with its climb known as Matahomes and a route with a significant elevation gain of 425 meters in just 9 km. Difficulty and scenic beauty (not only that enjoyed once you reach the summit, but also that offered by the entire route, in the heart of the Les Gavarres massif, with such attractive spots as the Bishop's Fountain and the Olivet d'en Sauleda) converge in this race, which celebrates its 62nd edition this Sunday. Established in 1964 by the Gironí Excursionist and Sports Group (GEiEG), it is the oldest mountain race in the State and, despite its difficulty, each year it brings together more than five hundred participants in the three modalities: competitive, popular and inclusive, the latter for people who go in wheelchairs.

The race's success has also been aided by the symbolic significance of the location for many residents of Girona. Due to its proximity to the city, the Àngels mountain and its highest point, Mont Alt, crowned by the Àngels sanctuary, is one of the most popular natural areas for Girona's sports enthusiasts, whether for hiking, running, or cycling, or for an afternoon outing. The Àngels sanctuary has also traditionally been a focal point for devotees of Our Lady of the Angels, whose image is housed within the church. Perhaps because the Empordà plain can be seen from the summit, the painter Salvador Dalí, from Figueres, and his muse, Gala, found this sanctuary the ideal place to marry in an intimate ceremony held on August 8, 1958, an event that further enhanced its allure.

The Matahomes climb... and some women too

Pere Albertí, 72, one of the most veteran participants in the Subida de los Ángeles (Ascent of the Angels), hopes to once again step onto the first step of the stairs leading to the sanctuary this Sunday. It's the step that marks the finish line, the end of the race. "As soon as I step onto it, I'll be happy," says Albertí, a former high school teacher and former city councilor in Girona, who confesses that in recent years he runs the race "without a watch," without aiming for a good time, as he used to do when he was among the first to cross the finish line. A member of GEiEG, the leading sports club in Girona, Albertí ran the first Subida de los Ángeles more than forty years ago. He recalls that back then the route wasn't as clearly marked as it is now, and that as long as they passed by the so-called Casa de los Higos (House of Figs), each participant could take any shortcuts they wanted along the final stretch to the Sanctuary of the Angels. "Days before the race, some runners would prepare their route along overgrown trails, clearing brush with a hoe to gain an advantage over their opponents during the competition," he recalls. Today, deviations from the marked course are not permitted, which still includes the dreaded Matahomes section. "The race used to be very male-dominated, but over the years, thankfully, women have joined in. That's why at one point, next to the sign that said 'Matahomes Climb,' someone added another that read: 'And some women too,'" Albertí remembers. "One day, someone stole both signs," he laments.

Among the women who have joined the Subida de los Ángeles in recent years is 41-year-old Neus Verdaguer, a registered athlete with the GEiEG (Grupo de Esports i Úrsula de Barcelona). Although she is featured on this year's race poster, Neus will miss this edition because it clashes with the Barcelona Marathon, for which she is registered. She completed her first Subida a los Ángeles in 2015, and in 2013 she achieved a time of 58 minutes, placing her among the top 10 women to cross the finish line. Neus started running at 18 and has since participated in numerous races, including the grueling La Marrana, which runs through the Ter and Freser Headwaters Natural Park, passing through Vallter 2000. However, she holds a special place in her heart for the Subida a los Ángeles because, for her, "it's like running at home," sometimes even at night. "The climb to Los Ángeles is also beautiful because of the atmosphere, especially at the finish, which is a huge party," Neus explains. Despite acknowledging the beauty of the route, she admits that she can't enjoy it during the race because she's focused on competing.

Daniel Bonaventura expresses a similar sentiment, stating that as a runner he doesn't climb Los Ángeles for the views "but to compete." Bonaventura, 65, also values, like Neus, the moment of reaching the summit, when, "exhausted" from the effort, he is rewarded with "a sandwich and a recovery drink, and the company and conversation with friends and acquaintances." Since turning 60, he has completed the Los Ángeles race four times, with a time of 47 minutes and a few seconds. The rewards he finds at the top allow him to recover his strength for the descent, which he takes "at a gentle pace."

Ismail Atriki's record

Over the years, while maintaining its popular appeal, the Subida a los Ángeles (Angels Ascent) has strengthened its competitive aspect with the participation of athletes seeking performance and rankings. Among them is middle-distance runner Ismail Atriki, who in 2024 broke the race record by completing it in just 35 minutes and 50 seconds. This year, Atriki will participate in the Subida again to enjoy it and, at the same time, aim for a personal best. "I didn't participate in mountain races, and the Subida a los Ángeles encouraged me. It's not my discipline, but it's a race I really liked from the start. I'm here to compete, but also to enjoy the race," the runner explained during the presentation of the new edition of the race.