Suarías Blincapeñas

The Suarías Blincapeñas is a mountain race created in 2013 in Suarías, a small village in the parish of Panes, in the municipality of Peñamellera Baja at the far eastern end of Asturias. Run by the villagers and their volunteers, it takes place every year around All Saints' Day and covers the village's communal mountain, known as Uzyabes, on trails, through woods and across very steep slopes. Its name evokes the rock-hopping that awaits runners on the ridge.

The Blincapeñas K22, the flagship race, starts at 9 am and covers about 22 km with 1,825 m of climbing, within a time limit of six and a half hours. From the edge of the village the gradient kicks up towards El Gamonal, the high point at 1,228 m, after which the route follows a ridge line marking the border with Cantabria, passing Pica El Sestón. The terrain is technical: rocks, tricky passages and muddy descents that the organisers have had to fit with ropes in past years. The Tasuguina K13, starting at 10 am, offers about 13 km with 867 m of climbing and a four-hour limit; it shares its first 3.5 km and last 3 km with the long race and explores the Corvera mountain in between. It is open from age 12, with 12- and 13-year-olds accompanied by a parent or guardian.

A non-competitive hike, the Andarina, runs alongside the two races: 17.4 km with around 1,100 m of climbing, a 9 am start, a six-hour limit and shorter alternatives for those who miss the checkpoint times. It passes through the Las Llaves beech forest, especially beautiful in autumn, and is done semi-self-sufficient, with water and food carried in the pack.

The K22 is for runners used to technical mountain terrain, able to string together steep climbs and keep a clear head on slippery descents. The reward is the view: from the ridge you look out over Cantabria on one side and the central massif of the Picos de Europa, crowned by Picu Urriellu, on the other. The atmosphere is that of a true village race, backed by a community that turns out in force, and the closeness of Halloween has already inspired some unexpected decorations along the course.

The start is at Barriu de La Bolera and the finish at Parque del Carrascal, where a marquee hosts bib collection the evening before, from 7.30 to 9.30 pm, and on race morning from 8 am. Entry includes chip timing, aid stations, hot showers, a souvenir gift and the shared meal in the marquee after the finish; companions can book a meal of their own. The prize-giving takes place in mid-afternoon.