Discover the Crêtes du Pays Basque 2018 in Espelette, Pyrénées-Atlantiques!
On the weekend of July 6 and 7, 2018, discover the 43rd edition of the Course des Crêtes du Pays Basque in Espelette in the Pyrénées Atlantiques! For over 40 years, the Espelette races have brought together thousands of runners from all over the world, as well as hikers, singers, musicians and dancers in an atmosphere of shared good humour! A festive and sporting event not to be missed if you’re staying at our campsite**** Biper Gorri in the Basque Country this summer!
The tests: ask for the program!
There are several intermediate distance events where over 3,000 runners and 2,000 walkers meet again and again in a festive, friendly atmosphere.
On Friday July 6, the traditional Espelette Night Race will start at 10.30pm from the village of Espelette. Equipped with their headlamps, runners will set off at night towards the Mondarain summit at 749 m altitude. At the end of the 7.5 km race, athletes will be treated to a buffet served under the Espelette covered market. In the spotlight: broutard lamb a la plancha!
The following day, the 26km race is undoubtedly the queen of the day on Saturday. But that’s not all! Other events give everyone the chance to put in the effort they’re capable of: a 20 km race, a 14 km race, a 7 km race (unranked), and a 14 km Nordic walk.
Hikers are not forgotten. Starting from Espelette, a 15.5 km hike along the Basque trails offers magnificent views from the village heights. Another option: Joëlettes (all-terrain monoroue wheelchairs for people with reduced mobility) allow everyone to enjoy the enchanting beauty of the Basque mountain ridges. For epicureans, the “miam-miam” walk (16.7 km) combines the pleasures of walking with those of dining, with a meal in a sheepfold and entertainment! The day ends with the Maxi-Repas des Crêtes, a Basque dinner with music, song and dance! On the menu: all-you-can-eat axoas, free-range chicken, Espelette ewe’s milk cheese, Basque jam and Espelette Basque cake…
But why does the Crêtes race attract so many people?
The Crêtes have become as famous as the famous Espelette pepper! People come for the festive atmosphere, the pleasure of running in the middle of nature and the magic of the Basque countryside. But above all, it’s a race on a human scale and a unique event that never fails to live up to its motto: “sport all right, party first!” For athletes, it’s a race on a human scale, organized for runners by runners and with runners! That’s the concept behind this unique race in the South West!
The Crêtes du Pays Basque is also a party during and after the race! And all weekend long, bandas, Basque singers, dancers and musicians will be livening up the streets of Espelette to the delight of visitors! On Sunday, our campers will be able to watch the Basque Force shows at the Espelette fronton: straw lifting, anvil lifting, wood sawing, cart lifting, sack and can race… Free guided tours of the church and château d’Espelette are also on the agenda for what promises to be a day rich in discoveries and encounters!