SalvaTrail

SalvaTrail is a trail race held in Salvatierra de los Barros, a village in the south of the province of Badajoz, in Extremadura, organised by the town council and the Atletas Populares de Salvatierra running group. It started in 2023 with around 190 runners, drew 280 the following year and then 300 entries, leaving some runners on the waiting list. The race is part of the Mancomunidad Sierra Suroeste running series and takes place on a Sunday in early November, starting and finishing on Calle Fernando Cintas, in the heart of the village.

There are two courses. The long trail, of about 26 km with more than 1,000 m of elevation gain, starts at 9:30 and is open to adults only. The short trail, about 14 km with 400 m of climbing, sets off at 10:00 and accepts runners from the age of 16 with parental consent. The race officially closes at 13:00 for everyone, giving long-course runners three and a half hours and short-course runners three hours. The elevation profile and the location of the aid stations are emailed to entrants a few days before the race.

The routes wind along the tracks, hills and dehesa around the village, the landscape of holm oaks and pasture typical of south-western Extremadura. Part of the course crosses private estates that open to runners on race day only: out of respect for the landowners and for local wildlife and plants, the GPX track is not made public. The course is marked with the white tape used by the Mancomunidad series, and kilometre markers are placed at several points.

SalvaTrail's strength lies in its local roots: more than a hundred volunteers from the village mark the course, man the checkpoints, run the aid stations and welcome visitors. Salvatierra de los Barros is renowned for its pottery tradition, and winners receive local products from the village and the surrounding area. Prizes also go to the top local runners, the oldest participant and the club with the most runners across both races.

On the practical side, bibs are collected on race morning from 8:00 until thirty minutes before each start, on presentation of ID; there are no race-day entries. A bag drop is set up at the town hall, and showers are available at the football ground and the sports hall. Trail shoes are compulsory on both courses, as is a cup or soft flask, since no disposable cups are handed out. Long-course runners must also carry a charged phone with the organisers' number saved, a whistle and a survival blanket. Dogs and other pets are not allowed.