Samu Ponce Wins Envalira at Storm-Hit Pas de la Casa Travessa

Pas de la Casa's fifth Travessa running event concluded successfully on Sunday, with all 450 slots filled despite Saturday's storms that cancelled the kids' race and disrupted the schedule.

Organisers reported a "very positive" outcome, exceeding their 400-participant target across six routes from 3km to 22km, all starting from the parish's main square near the church. Sunday's main races—attracting 350 runners—went ahead without rain after start times were brought forward to clear courses by 11am amid weather warnings. The routes included Envalira (22km with 1,440m positive elevation), Antenes (10km), Directa (6km) and Estany (3km). For the longest distance, which qualifies for 1 ITRA point toward the UTMB Index and counts in the Multisegur Assegurances Copa d'Andorra de Curses de Muntanya for O19, U20, O40 and O50 categories, contingency plans allowed neutralisation at the 14.5km Grau Roig point for road evacuation if needed. Final aid stations, awards and lunch shifted indoors to the village hall, with vehicles on standby for runners.

In the flagship Envalira race, Andorran Samu Ponce claimed victory in 1 hour 44 minutes, ahead of China's Jiasheng Shen—whom he is training with for the OCC at Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc—and Oriol Olm, a mountain skier. Basque runner Lola Oiarzabal won the women's category in 2 hours 7 minutes after a strong second-half surge from third place at Bordes d'Envalira. Local residents Caitlin Fielder, preparing for the UTMB 100km, and Nikola Matkova, Sky Comapedrosa winner, took second and third.

Event director Rui Da Costa praised safety protocols and the new Friday night charity run—a nearly 4km low-difficulty street loop that drew about 120 participants, 80% locals, raising €900 for the Fundació Enriqueta Villavecchia to aid children with cancer.

Saturday featured preparatory sessions like XBionic gear demos, a Forza Fitness workshop, nutrition tips from Marta Payola and injury prevention advice from osteopath Sergio Valenciago, though rain affected the Village area.

Encamp councillor for Finance, Sports and Economic Reactivation Nino Marot described the event as "very positive," highlighting its annual growth since starting as a local initiative "born in Pas de la Casa for Pas de la Casa people." He noted the economic lift from runners arriving with family and friends, bolstering the parish's summer mountain appeal beyond skiing. Marot thanked organisers, residents and businesses for their support amid the weather challenges.